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The Church. Sec 3. The Church Hierarchy. The Medieval Church had broad political power. It filled a leadership role in Europe. Kings were weak. Its power was felt all across Europe. Was a economic power, owning the most land by the end of the Dark Ages. Hierarchy. The Parish Priest
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The Church Sec 3
The Church Hierarchy • The Medieval Church had broad political power. • It filled a leadership role in Europe. • Kings were weak. • Its power was felt all across Europe. • Was a economic power, owning the most land by the end of the Dark Ages.
Hierarchy • The Parish Priest • The Church was organized according to strict hierarchy of rank. • Parish Priest held the lowest rank. • He was one of the most important because he administered five of the seven sacraments. • He was responsible for the religious instruction of community.
Hierarchy • Bishop • He manages a group of parishes. • The Cathedral is where the bishops office was held. • King or powerful nobles usually controlled the selection of the bishop. • Many bishops were feudal lords or vassals.
Church Leadership • A group of several dioceses, called an archdiocese. • Managed by an archbishop. Had power over bishops in that area. • Pope was the supreme leader of the church. • He was advised by a curia --- it member were cardinals.
The Church and Medieval life • In the papal state the Pope was both the political and spiritual leader. • This power was also directed to monarchs. • The had its own code of law called canon laws. • This included excommunicating a person. • Cut off from the church. Most severed punishment
The Church and Medieval life • The church did not allow anyone to question the principals of the church. • People who spoke out against the church were considered Heretics--- unbelievers • The Church also collected a tax called a tithe, typically one tenth of a person income. • The church becomes the wealthiest institution in Europe.
Problems with the Church • The great wealth of the church lead to the problem of lay investiture – practice of nobles appointing friends to positions of bishops or abbots. • Great was for a person to become wealthy. • Many church reformers tried to make changes . • Searched out heretics and teaching that opposed church doctrine. This search is known as the Inquisition. • Most were burnt at the stake