Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi

If you've been in Adventist circles long enough, you will have heard paranoid rumors of Jesuits infiltrating Adventist institutions to do whatever it is that Jesuit infiltrators would do. Samuele Bacchiocchi, an Adventist scholar born in Roma, Italy turned the tables by becoming the first non-Catholic to attend the Pontifical Gregorian University. His courageous act of infiltration made him a hero to many Adventists who would undoubtedly love to do the same thing.

Bacchiocchi taught history and theology at Andrews University for several years and has written volumes on the evils of rock music, ordained women, Sunday worship, immodest apparel...the list goes on. Dr. Bacchiocchi became embroiled in something of a scandal when representatives of the Catholic church disputed his use of his credentials (incorrectly, they alleged) and his use of the Pope's imprimatur on his doctoral thesis on the change from Sabbath to Sunday (Sabbatarians love it). There was also disagreement over whether Bacchiocchi graduated summa cum laude or magna cum laude.

[Caricature requested by Interfaith Power and Light]