1. EQ: How did the church in the middle ages become so powerful?
Medieval Church
EQ: How did the church in the middle ages become so powerful?

2. Church life 1. Life’s main goal was to get to heaven.
2. Must follow the sacraments, or rites of the Church.
3. Priests preached the teachings of the Bible and it was not to be questioned.
4. Bishops, overseers of priests, were in charge of large Cathedrals.
5. Women were still not equal to men although they were “equal before God.”

3. Monasteries and convents
Monks and Nuns
Follow the Benedictine Rule
Three Vows- Obedient to abbot or abbess, poverty, and chastity.
Provided service and scholarship.

4. Church power
After Rome, Church dominates spiritual and secular (worldly) aspects of societies during Middle Ages.
Pope is the leader and claims Papal Supremacy- authority over everyone including Kings/Emperors.
Church develops its own laws- Canon Laws and those that oppose are excommunicated.

5. Corruption and reform
Church leaders abused power by taking money and using nepotism- giving priesthood to unqualified children.
Abbot Cluny reforms- back to Benedictine Rule
Pope Gregory VII reforms- no marriage or selling of Church offices.
Friars, traveling monks, led by St. Francis of Assisi helped spread the word of God.
As Christendom grew, Jews were treated unfairly and often moved to safer areas.