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The Catholic Church: Changes and Complaints (Changes Affecting the Church,…
The Catholic Church: Changes and Complaints
Changes Affecting the Church
Disruption of Class System
Medieval society consisted o three classes: Clergy, Nobility, and Peasants
Clergy
: the body of all people ordained for religious duties
Due to an increase in trade, townspeople were eager to capitalize on opportunities
Acquired riches gave them influence that greatly affected the power structure of society
Humanism
Scholars reached back to the works of Greek and Roman philosophers and writers
Instigated a new cultural and intellectual movement
Humanism
: belief that human intellect was a powerful force for change and improvement
Exploration
Trade led to an increase in wealth, city growth, and a new merchant class
Columbus, Magellan, and others forced Europeans to realize the world was larger than they ever imagined
Considered themselves the center of a compact world consisting of Europe, Africa, Asia, and the "Unknown"
Complaints Against the Church
Problems with Popes
Two Popes claimed leadership of the Church
1417: council agreed on a compromise candidate
Faith in Pope's authority had already diminished
Urban VI was impeached, but continued to rule
Impeached
: charged with treason or misconduct
A different Pope was selected in his place
Papal Schism
: a split within the Catholic Church from 1378-1417
Indulgences
: a document that offered release from punishment due to sins
Church supported itself through indulgences
Happened after sins were forgiven by a priest
Common way for Church to raise money
A person wanted to hear: free from their sins, pay some money, and be free from suffering in purgatory
Purgatory
: a place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven
Originally did NOT grant forgiveness
sold during Crusades
A way for those who didn't fight to support those who did
Clerical Corruption
Popes and Cardinals often lived more like kings than spiritual leaders
Pope claimed temporal and spiritual power
Temporal Power
: the power of a bishop or cleric, especially the Pope, in secular matters
They commanded armies, made allies and enemies, and waged war
Cardinals
: leading dignitaries of the Church, form the Sacred College, and elect succeeding Popes
High taxes were charged to support the Pope and his projects
Many bishops held more than one office
Bishop
: senior member of the Christian clergy, typically in charge of diocese
Many clergy became corrupt as noble families paid for bishoprics and demanded their interests be served
Bishopric
: the office or rank of a bishop
Simony and Nepotism were rampant
Simony
: buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges
Nepotism
: practice of favoring relatives or friends
Question: When did faith in the Church and its leaders begin to restore itself? What measures were taken to ensure that the Church and its members remained strong and united?
Question: Were there ever any rebellions against the Church and its leaders?
Question: Has there ever been any other controversy over who the "leader" of the Church is?
Question: When did payment for forgiveness of sins begin to decline?
Question: Did one have to pay more/less depending on the severity of their sins?