How an Antiochian dentist proclaimed himself Peter II in 1939, he confronted the Catholic Church.
Colombia News.
The religious history of Colombia contains episodes as unusual as they are little known. One of the most striking occurred in Barbosa, Antioquiawhere for more than a decade a man exercised a unique papacy without having been elected by the Catholic Church. His name was Antonio José Hurtadoa self-taught dentist who came to proclaim himself pope under the name of Peter IIbecoming a legendary figure for his community.
Antonio José Hurtado was born in 1892 and from a young age he showed religious vocation. He entered the seminarbut the early death of his father forced him to abandon his studies and assume family responsibilities. That turn marked his life: he worked in various jobs until he established himself as empirical dentista job that did known and respected in Barbosa.
The breaking point came in 1939after the death of Pope Pius XI. While the Vatican was organizing the conclave, Hurtado sent three telegrams to the Holy See running for popeensuring compliance with the requirements. Never got a response.
Before the silence of Rome, Antonio José Hurtado made a radical decision: he proclaimed himself pope. He adopted the name of Peter IIsomething never seen beforesince no pontiff had used that name out of respect for the apostle Saint Peter. From that moment, He began to exercise his own pontificate.
His dental office became “Vatican II”. The chair where he treated patients became his papal throne. From there he imparted blessings, performed religious acts and carried out charitable workswhat he won popular sympathy and support. His figure even attracted influential figures in Colombian politics and culture.
The reaction of the Catholic Church was immediate and forceful. Hurtado was excommunicated twice. The second occurred during a Easter episodewhen his followers coincided with an official procession. The village priest He threatened to excommunicate anyone who supported the so-called Pope Peter II..
Nothing stopped him. Hurtado continued to exercise his papacy until the end of his lifeconvinced of his spiritual mission and supported by faithful who saw in him an alternative expression of faith.
He May 13, 1955, Antonio José Hurtado died a few blocks from his house. In his will he left a symbolic will: his papal throne was to be handed over to the Vatican. The chair never came to Romebut today it is preserved in the Barbosa House of Cultureas testimony of this historical episode.
Peter II had no successor. However, his memory remains intact in the collective memory of Barbosa, where he is still remembered as the Creole Popea figure that He challenged the Church, marked local identity and left an indelible mark on the religious history of Colombia..
@larutadelpacifico Peter second. The unusual story of the Colombian dentist who proclaimed himself pope.
