Waldenses, << wahl DEHN seez, >> are members of a Christian religious group. The group was founded by Peter Waldo, a wealthy merchant of Lyon, France. In 1173, Waldo left his wife, gave his fortune to the church and charity, and began preaching in the streets of Lyon. His message of poverty and religious devotion attracted many followers, who were called the poor men of Lyon. Pope Alexander III and the Archbishop of Lyon approved of the Waldenses. But the succeeding pope and archbishop forbade the Waldenses to preach because they were not priests and their teachings differed from those of the church. For example, they denied the pope’s authority and the existence of purgatory. In 1184, Pope Lucius III excommunicated the Waldenses.
Many Waldenses adopted the doctrines of the Reformation, which took place during the 1500’s. Today, Waldensian congregations are active in Europe and North and South America. Their headquarters are in Rome.
