The Medieval Church

1. The Medieval Church

2. Impact of the Medieval Church • The Roman Catholic Church grew in importance after Roman authority declined • It became the unifying force in western Europe

3. Medieval Church • During the Medieval period, the Catholic Church proved to be very powerful • The Catholic Church became the center of life for nearly all Western Europeans • The primary job of the Church was spiritual • The Church became involved in politics and social issues

4. Medieval Church • The Pope became the most powerful figure in Europe • Nearly all of Europe fell under the Pope’s control • All the people were Catholic, giving the Pope control over peasants, nobles, and kings • The Church taught that all people were sinners

5. Growth during the Middle Ages • The Pope anointed the Holy Roman Emperors • Missionaries carried Christianity to the Germanic tribes • The Church served the social, political, and religious needs of the people

6. Medieval Church • The only way to reach salvation was by gaining the Grace of God • To gain God’s grace, one had to participate in the sacraments • Baptism • Penance • Eucharist • Confirmation • Matrimony • Anointing of the sick • Holy Orders

7. Medieval Church • Most Europeans were very religious even though they truly did not understand Christianity • The Mass was said in Latin—a language that only the clergy understood • Many of the priests were uneducated • Most people learned about Christianity by looking at religious paintings, statues, and stained glass

9. Medieval Church • There were 2 types of Catholic Clergy • 1.) Secular Clergy • Pope, Bishops, Priests • 2.) Regular Clergy • Monks and nuns

10. Medieval Church • 520—St. Benedict created a monastery in Italy • He issued very strict rules for monks to follow • Monks could never marry • Monks could not own property • Monks had to be obedient

11. St. Benedict

12. Foundations of early Medieval Society • Influenced by the classical heritage of Rome • Influenced by Christian beliefs, and by • the customs of Germanic tribes

13. Medieval Church • Monastic Life • Monks were very simple people • Clothing was simple—a long, loose robe made from dark, coarse material • Ate 1 to 2 meals a day • Most monks had to take vows of silence • Lived in monasteries

14. Medieval Church • Monastic Life • Women also participated in a life devoted to religion • These women were nuns • Nuns lived in convents • Nuns are known for their gown and veil

16. Medieval Church • Monastic Life • Monks and nuns lived isolated from the rest of the people • Yet, they played a large part in the peoples’ lives • The monks preserved classical Roman and Greek texts by hand copying the works

17. Medieval Church • Monastic Life • Monasteries and convents provided schools for the young • They were hospitals for the sick • They were hotels for the travelers • Monks and nuns taught the people new skills in carpentry, farming, and weaving

18. Influence of the Roman Catholic Church • Roman authority declined while church authority grew • Monasteries preserved Greco-Roman cultural achievements • Missionaries carried Christianity and Latin alphabet to Germanic Tribes

19. Influence of the Roman Catholic Church • Roman authority declined while church authority grew • Monasteries preserved Greco-Roman cultural achievements • Missionaries carried Christianity and Latin alphabet to Germanic Tribes

20. Medieval Church • Power of the Church • The Catholic Church was powerful both spiritually and politically • The rich gave $ to the Church • The Church was becoming very corrupt from the $ and power it had • Church leader cared less about salvation and more about $

21. Medieval Church • Church Reform • People began to call for reform because the Church was becoming too secular • Monasteries led the reform • A College of Cardinals would choose the popes • 1073—the Pope outlawed the Practice of Lay Investiture—when secular rulers appointed Church officials

22. Medieval Church • Church Reform • 1215: Pope Innocent III tried to reform the clergy • He condemned drunkenness, feasting, hawking, and dancing among the clergy • Innocent III issued Church laws to stop heresy—the denial of the Church’s teachings • Heretics could be killed or excommunicated

23. Medieval Church • Church Reform • Innocent also started the Inquisition—a Church court designed to find, arrest, judge, and sentence heretics • The Inquisition punished heretics in several ways • 1.)imprisonment • 2.)excommunication • 3.)taking of property • 4.)execution

26. Medieval Church • Church Reform • Friars—wandering preachers—also attempted to make reforms in the Church • There were two groups of friars • Franciscans • Dominicans