The Roman Catholic Church grew in importance after Roman authority declined It became the unifying force in western Europe

During the Medieval period, the Catholic Church proved to be very powerful The Catholic Church became the center of life for nearly all Western Europeans The primary job of the Church was spiritual The Church became involved in politics and social issues

The Pope became the most powerful figure in Europe Nearly all of Europe fell under the Pope’s control All the people were Catholic, giving the Pope control over peasants, nobles, and kings The Church taught that all people were sinners

The Pope anointed the Holy Roman Emperors Missionaries carried Christianity to the Germanic tribes The Church served the social, political, and religious needs of the people

The only way to reach salvation was by gaining the Grace of God To gain God’s grace, one had to participate in the sacraments Baptism Penance Eucharist Confirmation Matrimony Anointing of the sick Holy Orders

Most Europeans were very religious even though they truly did not understand Christianity The Mass was said in Latin—a language that only the clergy understood Many of the priests were uneducated Most people learned about Christianity by looking at religious paintings, statues, and stained glass

There were 2 types of Catholic Clergy 1.) Secular Clergy Pope, Bishops, Priests 2.) Regular Clergy Monks and nuns

520—St. Benedict created a monastery in Italy He issued very strict rules for monks to follow Monks could never marry Monks could not own property Monks had to be obedient

St. Benedict

Influenced by the classical heritage of Rome Influenced by Christian beliefs, and by the customs of Germanic tribes

Monastic Life Monks were very simple people Clothing was simple—a long, loose robe made from dark, coarse material Ate 1 to 2 meals a day Most monks had to take vows of silence Lived in monasteries

Monastic Life Women also participated in a life devoted to religion These women were nuns Nuns lived in convents Nuns are known for their gown and veil

Monastic Life Monks and nuns lived isolated from the rest of the people Yet, they played a large part in the peoples’ lives The monks preserved classical Roman and Greek texts by hand copying the works

Monastic Life Monasteries and convents provided schools for the young They were hospitals for the sick They were hotels for the travelers Monks and nuns taught the people new skills in carpentry, farming, and weaving

Roman authority declined while church authority grew Monasteries preserved Greco-Roman cultural achievements Missionaries carried Christianity and Latin alphabet to Germanic Tribes

Roman authority declined while church authority grew Monasteries preserved Greco-Roman cultural achievements Missionaries carried Christianity and Latin alphabet to Germanic Tribes

Power of the Church The Catholic Church was powerful both spiritually and politically The rich gave $ to the Church The Church was becoming very corrupt from the $ and power it had Church leader cared less about salvation and more about $

Church Reform People began to call for reform because the Church was becoming too secular Monasteries led the reform A College of Cardinals would choose the popes 1073—the Pope outlawed the Practice of Lay Investiture—when secular rulers appointed Church officials

Church Reform 1215: Pope Innocent III tried to reform the clergy He condemned drunkenness, feasting, hawking, and dancing among the clergy Innocent III issued Church laws to stop heresy—the denial of the Church’s teachings Heretics could be killed or excommunicated

Church Reform Innocent also started the Inquisition—a Church court designed to find, arrest, judge, and sentence heretics The Inquisition punished heretics in several ways 1.)imprisonment 2.)excommunication 3.)taking of property 4.)execution

Church Reform Friars—wandering preachers—also attempted to make reforms in the Church There were two groups of friars Franciscans Dominicans