Good stuff, Bygrace!
I really didn't want to respond to this thread and give it more publicity. But after reading your comnents, II'd like to share another thought.
There is no doubt the inquisition happened. It was terrible. There was a counter inquisition by protestants and it too was terrible.
Then there is this:
List of apologies made by Pope John Paul II - Wikipedia
The above link describes the various apologies made by Pope John Paul II. It includes the inquisition and many other things the Catholic Church found itself involved in.
That being said... It happened and an apology was given.
So what now? What do we do about something that for the most part is centuries passed and an apology was given, and thus forgiveness was asked for? What else is the Catholic Church supposed to do? Not to mention that Pope John Paul, pope Benedict (Cardinal Ratzinger... Who is mention in the article and has also been accused of a dubious past) as well as BoL, Epostle1, Kelpha and every other Catholic had nothing to do with it! I don't expect any of them to apologize for it because they didn't do it and their spokesman issued an apology 20 years ago.
About the only thing I can fault them for is not pointing to that more often. But they shouldn't have to.
Matthew 6:14-15 KJV
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [15] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Should we forget the history? Of course not. But there are certain facts:
1. It is no longer happening.
2. It was apologized for and I assume they seek forgiveness
3. Today's Catholics from their pulpits to the Pope had nothing to do with it.
4. That bit from Matt 6 applies to you as the forgiver and to them who long ago asked.
So, what are you going to do? Forgive or keep bringing it up when they did what was necessary to rid themselves of that sin?
Here is a gift to Catholics: there actually was a counter inquisition and plenty of backlash that was just as bloody. It even happened on North American soil. Possibly in the United States. Has there been an apology for that? I mean... There may have been. I just can't find the right key words to plug into google to find it!
Bottom line: History is in the past and today's Catholic should not be held responsible for something they had no part in. Especially when they asked for forgiveness.