Papal Power
• Popes had been in charge of Church as well as Central Italy (Papal States)
• Also involved in Feudal System
• Higher ranking Nobles were becoming Bishops – and not spiritual people
Papal Reform
• Gregory VII wanted to be free from Secular interference in religious appointments
• Convinced that Popes authority extended over Christian world
• If rulers did not allow Pope to appoint at his will he would remove rulers
Henry IV of Germany
• Clashed with Gregory VII over appointments of Bishops
• Henry used bishops as members of his government – couldn’t allow change
• Investiture Controversy
• Concordant of Worms – compromise where Pope appointed but King would get commitment
Church Supreme
• Innocent III• Papal authority = Sun• Royal authority = Moon• Pope is supreme in all European Affairs• Excerised power by giving interdict – withholding sacraments
Franciscans & Dominicans
• New religious orders
• Franciscans – abandon all worldly goods – lived among the people begging – missionary work
• Dominicans – mission to defend the church from heresy – new religions order was best to fight heresy
Inquisition
• Court to find and try heretics
• Dominicans became forerunners in this
• Confessors would be forced perform public penance
• No confession but still “guilty” were executed
• This was seen as the only way to save souls
Sacraments
• Sacraments were central importance to ordinary people as a way of receiving God’s grace
• Only clergy could administer
• Clergy powerful
Saints
• People looked to saints for protection
• Mary – most revered• Relics – bones of
saints or other things they used believed to be holy
Decline of Church Power
• Struggle between French and Italy
• French King Philip IV – wanted to tax clergy
• Pope said no!
• Philip refuses to accept Pope’s authority
• Philip gets a French Pope elected
• Pope moves from Rome to Avignon 1305-1377
• Eventually moves back
Great Schism
• Period of two popes – one in Avignon one in Rome
• Each Pope declares other anti-Christ
• Divided Europe• All popes resign• Mutually approved
Pope selected