Menocchio (Domenico Scandella, 1532–1599) was a miller from Montereale Valcellina, Italy, who was tried for heresy by the Roman Inquisition for his unorthodox religious views and then was burnt at the stake in 1599.
[citation needed] He was first tried for heresy in 1583, and abjured his statements in 1584, but spent another 20 months in prison in Concordia.
"[6] Among the numerous accusations of blasphemy levelled against him, was a charge of contradicting the teachings of the Church on purgatory.
(According to Giuliano Stefanut, the words spoken by Menocchio had been precisely: "What are you doing giving alms in memory of these few ashes?").
[7] I In additional criticisms of the Church, Menocchio declared that he rejected all the sacraments, including baptism, as human inventions, and mere "merchandise," instruments of exploitation and oppression in the hands of the clergy.
He further criticized the Church and Court proceedings by stating, "God has given the Holy Spirit to all, to Christians, to heretics, to Turks, and to Jews; and he considers them all dear, and they are all saved in the same manner.