Antonianism
| Antonianism Antonine sect | |
|---|---|
Kimpa Vita's statue in Angola | |
| Type | Syncretic Bakongo Catholic movement |
| Region | Kingdom of Kongo |
| Founder | Beatriz Kimpa Vita |
| Origin | 1704 |
| Defunct | 1708 |
| Members | 20,000 |
Antonianism, or Antonine sect (Portuguese: Antonianismo), was a syncretic Bakongo Catholic movement formed in the Kingdom of Kongo between 1704 and 1708, as a development out of the Catholic Church in Kongo, yet without denying the authority of the Pope. Its founder was a young charismatic woman named Beatriz Kimpa Vita, who said she was possessed by Saint Anthony of Padua. Beatriz became known for healing and other miracles. It was eventually suppressed by King Pedro IV of Kongo, and Dona Beatriz was burned at the stake as a heretic.