The Medieval Church

Medieval Church Western Europe is a Christian civilization Economic and political power Dominates life Most powerful force in medieval Europe Priests Only contact with Church Lead mass and give sacraments Must receive to be spiritually saved Explained the Bible Cared for sick and needy Ran schools

Medieval Church Church Social center Symbol of village pride Pilgrimages to see relics Charged a tithe Cathedrals Managed by bishops Competitions

Medieval Church Monasteries and Convents Benedictine Rule obedience, poverty, chastity Helped improve farming economy Health and educational services Libraries of Greek and Roman works Kept learning alive Women were given some respect

Medieval Church Church power grows - most powerful secular force Popes Claim papal supremacy – pope has authority over all rulers Papal states Religious authority and political power Archbishops and bishops were nobles Control territories and armies Canon law – Church law Excommunication- no sacraments Interdict – town, region, kingdom

Medieval Church Corruption and reform Clergy live in luxury Priesthood inherited Monks lead reform Refused to let nobles interfere Insisted the Church choose Church officials Prohibited the selling of Church offices

Medieval Church Jews Spain is center of Jewish culture and scholarship Officials in Muslim courts Rulers valued and protected communities but taxed them heavily Late 1000s prejudice increases Church forbids Jews to own land and have certain jobs Used as Financial advisors and physicians Move to Eastern Europe