The Church in the Middle Ages

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The Church in the Middle Ages
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• I. The Church Hierarchy
• A. Because of weak local governments in Europe
  the Catholic Church takes a strong role in
  society
• B. The Catholic Church becomes one of the
  leading landowners of Europe and many of its
  leaders are feudal lords

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• C.

Pope
Cardinals Advisors to Pope
Archbishop Authority over Bishops Doiceses in
the province
Bishop Managed a Diocese, appointed priests,
managed church property
Priest Head of a local parish, conducted church
services, supervised moral and religious
instruction
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• II. Political Role of the Church
• A. Popes claimed to hold spiritual and political
  law over many Kings and nobles
• 1. Canon Law Law of the church with its own
  special court system
• a. Excommunication cut off from church and
  from spiritual guidance
• b. Interdict All churches closed in a
  region, no weddings, etc

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• B. Had power to collect taxes (tithe)
• C. Often Waged Wars on behalf of the church or
  earthly rulers (The Crusades 1096 1291)

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• III. Problems with the Catholic Church
• A. Many kings thought they could appoint church
  officials, Popes disagreed
• B. Simony Buying high positions within the
  church
• C. The Inquisition Attempt by the church to
  stamp out incorrect religious beliefs - Lead to
  great abuses of power

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• IV. Problems with the people in the Middle Ages
• A. Illiterate
• B. Superstitious belief in witchcraft, spirits
  and the like
• C. The Black Death (1347) wipes out about 1/3 of
  Europes population or about 20-25 million people
• D. Gaining more freedom as towns and cities grow

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• V. Conclusions
• A. Problems with the church are MANY!
• 1. Political Power
• 2. Concern with Wealth
• 3. Control of Ideas