The Medieval Church / Catholicism

Medieval ChurchQuick Write: Why do you think the

Catholic Church during the Middle Ages held so much power?

Medieval ChurchReasons for power

• Political1) Leaders of the church were also leaders in politics• Head of church and state

• Social2) It held influence over the people• The Church offered a way to get to

God–If the people broke its laws, they

could face excommunication or going to hell

»Kicking one out of the Church Community

Medieval ChurchReasons for Power

• Social3) Church = outlet for entertainment

• Ex = festivals for religious holidays• Economic

4) Church collected taxes or tithes from the people• Tithes paid with $ or goods

–Ex: agricultural products

Catholicism # of Followers

–Christian believers in the world = 2 billion• Catholics make up about ½ of that

CatholicismMajor Following Areas

• Europe – Italy– France– Spain–Poland

• South America

–Brazil• North America

–Mexico–America

~68 Million followers

CatholicismMain Beliefs

• Jesus Christ– Believe that he is a

divine being

• Holy Trinity– Father, Son and Holy

Spirit• These make up the

Sign of the Cross

•12 Apostles (messengers of the word)

-Peter, James, John etc.

•Disciples

-Followers of Jesus Christ

CatholicismMain Beliefs

• Transubstantiation – The bread and wine passed out at mass

turns into the body and blood of Jesus

Pope

Cardinals

Bishops

Priests

•Hierarchy of the Church

CatholicismMain Beliefs

• Bible– Holy book

• Worship / Honoring of:– Saints

• Those who have led particularly holy lives– Mary

• Mother of Jesus

• Sacraments– Religious acts in which God’s presence is with

those who participate

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

                                 

Sacraments• Baptism

– Basis for all other sacraments

– Initiation into the Church

– Forgiveness of sin• Eucharist

– The receiving of Jesus’s body and blood at mass

• Confirmation– One receives the Holy Spirit

• Marriage• Penance

– Formal asking of forgiveness

– Done through a priest• Anointing of the Sick

– A priest gives an ill person his/her final blessings before death

• Holy Orders– the process of

becoming a religious individual such as a priest or bishop

Post Lecture Questions

• Was your thoughts about the Medieval Church from earlier right? Explain why or why not?

• Is there anything that you found surprising about Catholicism? Why or not?

• Is their any similarities between Catholicism and the religions we have learned about previously (Chinese philosophies, Islam etc.?)– What about any differences?