The Catholic Church in the The Catholic Church in the Middle AgesMiddle Ages

The church was the The church was the most powerful most powerful organization in organization in medieval Europe.medieval Europe.

The church claimed to The church claimed to have power over all have power over all religious and religious and secularsecular (non-religious)(non-religious) parts parts of life.of life.

I. I. Reasons for the Church’s PowerReasons for the Church’s Power

A. Role of FaithA. Role of Faith1. The church 1. The church

represented God.represented God.

2. Religion was part of 2. Religion was part of daily life. It was daily life. It was social and united social and united people.people.

3. The church held the 3. The church held the power to send you power to send you to Heaven or Hell.to Heaven or Hell.

4. If you didn’t obey 4. If you didn’t obey Canon LawCanon Law you you could be could be excommunicatedexcommunicated..

Canon LawCanon Law-- church law; the church church law; the church had its own courtshad its own courts

ExcommunicationExcommunication--

exclusion (being kicked out) of the church. exclusion (being kicked out) of the church.

- Cannot receive sacraments - Cannot receive sacraments

(means you go to hell)(means you go to hell)

- Cannot receive a Christian burial- Cannot receive a Christian burial

- Shunned (rejected) by other Christians- Shunned (rejected) by other Christians

Interdict-Interdict-

excommunication of an entire town, region excommunication of an entire town, region or kingdom. This resulted when a noble or or kingdom. This resulted when a noble or king violated canon law.king violated canon law.

II. WealthII. Wealth

A. Nobles often left land to the church A. Nobles often left land to the church when they died.when they died.

B. Church wealth increased through B. Church wealth increased through tithes tithes (church “tax” or donation; 10%) (church “tax” or donation; 10%)

III. LearningIII. Learning

A. Rulers relied on A. Rulers relied on CClergylergy (religious (religious officials) officials) to keep to keep records (in Latin).records (in Latin).

B. The church B. The church preserved learning.preserved learning.

Pope (1 head)

  

       

Bishops

(2946 diocese, cathedrals)        

 

Priests

(219,583 parishes)        

Catholics (1 Billion members)

IV. Church HierarchyIV. Church Hierarchy

V. CorruptionV. Corruption

A. As the church’s wealth A. As the church’s wealth and power grew, so and power grew, so did corruption.did corruption.

B. The clergy lived in B. The clergy lived in luxury and ignored luxury and ignored their vows.their vows.

C. This led to C. This led to reformreform but but would later split in the would later split in the Church.Church.

Points to RememberPoints to Remember

1. Feudalism and the manor system 1. Feudalism and the manor system separated and isolated people from each separated and isolated people from each otherother

2. Shared beliefs in church teachings keep 2. Shared beliefs in church teachings keep people united during difficult times.people united during difficult times.

3. The ultimate goal was to achieve 3. The ultimate goal was to achieve salvation (a life in heaven).salvation (a life in heaven).

4. The church had power because they 4. The church had power because they administered/ controlled the sacraments.administered/ controlled the sacraments.