The Organization and Function of the Medieval Catholic Church

Church Hierarchy

Priests Preached to Congregations – Preached in Latin Taught and maintained schools Administered Sacraments – Baptism – Confession – Marriages – Caring for sick/Last Rites Gave Guidance to parish Forgiver of sins

Monks Lived in isolated monasteries – Overseen by Abbots Anyone could join – Rigorous Process, took at least 5 years to join – Had to take many vows – Including Vow of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience Devote lives to God Highly Educated – Could read and write in Latin – Copied many manuscripts and books Farmed on Monastery land

Nuns Church position for women – Some girls from wealthy families – Some older women who’s husbands died – Overseen by Abbotess Considered “Married to God” – Rigorous joining process like monks – Vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience Devote lives to serving god One of few ways women could get Education – Many would also copy manuscripts

Bishops/Arch-Bishops Came from Noble or Wealthy families In charge of diocese – All Churches in a certain region Priests answered to him Considered above all heads of state – Mandatory for Kings to have a Bishop as an Advisor Could tax peasants, raise armies, and enforce Church Policies

Cardinals Senior Bishops who assisted the Pope – Come from the largest and most important dioceses – Advise him on all matters Very powerful, second only to the Pope Were/are responsible for electing a new Pope

The Pope Bishop of Rome, head of the Catholic Church Authority over all Kings – Didn’t always work Could make decrees to affect the Secular world – Calling Crusades, granting land, rules regarding Jews, etc. Could institute new Church Doctrine and rules – Create new Church/Military Orders – Forbidding Priests from marriage Totally a wizard

Functions of the Medieval Church Overseeing Salvation – In charge of forgiving sins – Confessions and Penance – Indulgence a payment to forgive a sin Advisors to Kings Charity – Taking care of the poor and sick – Built Hospitals Controlling lives of people – Overseeing Marriages – Controlling Education – Excommunication, exile from Christian community Collecting tithes – 10% tax on income of all peasants Military power – Created Military Orders and had Private Armies