Chapter 13 Section 3

1. Chapter 13 Section 3 The CHURCH

2. Section 3 The Church Hierarchy • 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 who 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

3. Parish Priest • The Parish • smallest division within the church • Parish Priest • Directly serves the people in his parish • Religious instruction • Responsible for the moral and spiritual well being • One of the Churches most important officers • Administered five of the seven sacraments • Baptism, Holy communion, Penance, Matrimony and Anointing of the sick and dying

4. 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 • Preformed the other two sacraments • Confirmation, taking of holy orders

5. Church Leadership • Archdiocese • A group of dioceses • managed by an Archbishop • Archbishop • has all the powers and responsibilities of a bishop • Has authority over the bishops of the archdiocese • 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 andon only cardinals elect the pope

6. Church Hierarchy Pope Cardinals Archbishops Bishops Parish Priests

7. 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

8. Monastic Lifestyles • Monks and Nuns • Believed they had to withdraw from the world and its temptations • Served God through fasting, prayer and self denial • Early practices • Monks lived alone • Practiced their devotion to god in many ways • Inflicted extreme physical suffering on themselves • Eventually gave up on being hermits • Formed religious communities • Called Monasteries (Monks) and Convents (Nuns) • Monasticism • The way of life in convents and monasteries

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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, in essence removed them from society

13. 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 • Members at risk of eternal punishment • 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

14. The Church and Medieval Life • Political Role continued • 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 the church was at the height of its power • Wealthiest institution in Europe

15. 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

16. Problems of the Church • Problems caused because of the Churches wealth and influence • 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 • 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 of these orders called Friars • Preached and lived among the people

17. 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

18. 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