The Middle Ages

Church Hierarchy

Section 3

• The church had broad political powers– Europe’s central government was weak, if exist at all– Church filled the need for leadership

• One of the only institutions whose presence was felt all throughout Europe– Across all political and social levels

• Great economic force– Leading landowners, Feudal lords

• Clergy members– organized according to a strict hierarchy of rank– Each rank had different responsibilities and powers

The Church Hierarchy

Pope

Cardinals

Archbishops

Bishops

Parish Priests

Church Hierarchy

Parish Priest

• The Parish– smallest division within the church

• Parish Priest– Directly serves the people in his parish–Responsible for the moral and spiritual

well being» Administered five of the seven sacraments» Baptism, Holy communion, Penance,

Matrimony and Anointing of the sick and dying

The Bishop• Bishop

– Manages a group of parishes• Called a Diocese

– Cathedral is the Bishops official church

– The king or powerful nobles usually controlled the selection of bishops

– Many were feudal lords or vassals– Performs the other two

sacraments• Confirmation, taking of holy orders

Church Leadership• Archbishop – has all the powers and responsibilities of a bishop – Has authority over the bishops of the archdiocese

• Cardinal - princes of the Church• -appointed by the Pope• College of Cardinals-advise the Pope and elect the Pope• Can be an Archbishop

• Pope– Supreme authority in the church– Advised by the Curia

• Group of counselors drawn from the highest ranks of the clergy• Most important and powerful members were Cardinals• Advised the Pope on legal and spiritual matters

• In the 1100’s and on only cardinals elect the pope

Monasticism

• Medieval church had two types of clergy• Secular Clergy

– Priests, bishops, and the Pope– Secular meaning of the present world

• Regular Clergy – Male Monks– Lived in accordance with strict rules– Female nuns also followed strict rules

• But not considered part of the clergy, only men

Monastic Lifestyles

• Monks and Nuns – Believed they had to withdraw from the world and its

temptations– Served God through fasting, prayer and self denial

• Eventually gave up on being hermits– Formed religious communities– Called Monasteries (Monks) and Convents (Nuns)

• Monasticism– The way of life in convents and monasteries

The Benedictine Rule• St. Benedict

– Became disgusted with the worldly corruption he witnessed

– Left Rome to worship god as a hermit– His reputation for holiness spread

• Attracted many followers– Established a monastery at Monte

Cassino • In the mountains of central Italy

– Referred to as Saint Benedict– Created rules to govern monks’ lives

• Adopted by Monasteries and Convents all over Europe

• Called Benedictine Rule

The Benedictine Rule

• Benedictine Rule was fairly strict– Everything belonged to their community– No individual ownership

• The Abbot– Elected head of the community– Controlled and distributed all property

• The Abbess – Served similar role for women in convents

• Spent many hours in prayer, rest of day doing chores

The Spread of Monastic Influence

• Took care of the needy• Over time many monasteries became rich*

– Pious nobles gave money/land in return for spiritual favor– Convents also received gifts, but did not get as wealthy

• Some monks left the monasteries to become missionaries– St. Patrick

• Brought Christianity to Ireland in 432

– St. Augustine • Lead a group of monks to England• Became Archbishop of Canterbury• Canterbury became center of the Christian

Church in England

The Church and Medieval Life

• The Church played a major role in everyday life– Political, economic, and social

• Political Role– In the Papal States the Pope was both political and religious leader– Some claimed power of monarchs– Many church leaders were Feudal Lords and advisors to kings

• Canon Law– Church law code and system of courts– Members of the clergy could be tried and the court would rule

accordingly– Could be Excommunicated

• Cut off from the church, • could not receive the sacraments or • be buried in sacred ground• Was greatly feared - removed them from society

The Church and Medieval Life• Canon Law Continued

• Interdict• Closing an entire region of churches• Clergy would be forbidden to perform marriages, burials,

and sacraments• Used to turn people against rulers who opposed church

powers and policies– The church did not allow anyone to question the basic

principles of the Christian religion– People who denied the truth of the church’s principle

or preached beliefs not approved by the church– Called Heretics – unbelievers who deserved eternal

damnation

The Church and Medieval Life

• Church had the power to tax– Tithe

• 1/10 of a persons income– The church received a large income from its

own lands• 1200’s - height of its power• Wealthiest institution in Europe

Economic and Social Role

• Church did not approve of people gaining wealth at the expense of others

• Thought people who labored should be regarded with dignity and respect

• Considered the Family a sacred institution– Did not allow divorce

• Clergy was involved in social work– Took care of the poor and needy– Even established hospitals

Problems of the Church

• Many tried to bring about church reform

– St. Francis of Assisi • Founded the Order of Franciscans -

1209– St. Dominic

• Founded the Order of the Dominicans - 1216

– Members called Friars• Preached and lived among the people

• Lay Investiture– A noble (King) appointing a friend or relative to be a bishop or abbot– Church felt only members of clergy could make appointments

• Simony – The buying of high positions within the church hierarchy– Thought to provide wealth from church income or fees for services– Came under criticism from within and outside the church

Problems of the Church

• In mid-1200’s the church attempted to reform itself– Church ordered the Dominicans to seek out heretics– To stamp out teachings that opposed church doctrine

• Inquisition– The search for heretics– Those who confessed were forced to perform

penance– Those who did not were turned over to the

government for punishment or execution• Burning at the stake• Church believed this necessary to stop the heresy

Matching

___1. a Christian ritual to gain God’s direct favor

___2. a bishop’s official church

___3. group of counselors who advise the pope

___4. “princes of the church”

___5. way of life in convents and monasteries

____6. he created the rules for monastic life ___7. the church’s own code of law

___8. he brought Christianity to Ireland ___9. all churches in a region can be closed with this ruling

__10. Practice of buying high positions in the church hierarchy