1. The Role of the Medieval
Catholic Church

2. • What was the Catholic Church’s role in daily
life?
• Describe the church hierarchy
• Why was the church powerful in Medieval
Europe?
• Why did conflict arise between the Catholic
Church and the monarchies?

3. Why the Roman Catholic Church?
• The Great Schism –
– Central part of the Church was
(and is) located in Rome, Italy
– As the Byzantine Empire grew
stronger – the emperor of the
Byzantines often disagreed
with the pope.
• Issues: Who had the most
religious power? Pope or
Emperor?
• In 730 Byzantine Emperor Leo
III was excommunicated from
the church for banning icons
• By 1054 The Byzantine Empire
created it’s own church: The
Eastern Orthodox

4. Roman Catholic
• Services are conducted in Latin
or local languages
• The pop has authority over all
other bishops
• The pope claims authority over
all kings and emperors
• Priests may not marry
Eastern Orthodox
• Services are conducted in
Greek or other local
languages
• The patriarch and other
bishops head the church as
a group
• The emperor claims
authority over all religious
matters
• Priests may be married
Similarities:
• They base their faith on the
gospel of Jesus and the Bible
• They use sacraments such as
baptism
• Their religious leaders are
bishops and priests
• They seek to convert people

5. Why the Roman Catholic Church?
• During the 11th-15th
European monarchies were
increasing in power
• The Church and monarchies
were trying to centralize
political and religious power
• Most powerful institution in
Europe –
– Took the place of powerful
governments that once
existed (Rome)
– Most people in Europe
practiced Christianity
– Superstitions and tradition
(God will punish you)

7. The Church’s Role in Society
• Services – provide people with
sacraments (baptism, etc.)
religious ceremonies in which
a member of the church
received the grace of God
• Monasteries – places where
religious followers called
monks and nuns practiced a
life of prayer and worship.
They also studied Christian
works and copied the Bible
• Political Roles – strong ties to
Europe’s nobility – local
princes were often bishops
– Many church officials helped
run monarch’s kingdoms

8. The Church’s Role in Society
• Education –
– Religious Orders –
• A group of people who live by
rules specific to their order –
separate themselves from
society to focus on prayer –
Made up of Monks, Nuns, and
Friars
– Ex. Franciscan Friars –
mendicant (traveled to preach
the word of God, owned
nothing, and primarily lived by
begging)
• Universities – Cathedrals
became the center of education
and power for bishops
– As cities grew cathedrals
expanded into universities
– Taught Greek and Roman
philosophy

9. Important Figures
Francis of Assisi • Founder of the Franciscan
religious order in the 1200’s
• Asked followers to live in poverty
and serve as teachers, healers,
and friends to all living things
• Saint
Thomas Aquinas• Scholar began studying the
texts of Aristotle
• Argued that classical
philosophy could exist in
harmony with Christian faith

10. Conflict Arises
• As monarchies grew
stronger they choose to
cooperate with the
Church….however…
• In the 11th century the
relationship was tested
– Pope Gregory VII and
Emperor Henry – Holy
Roman Empire
– Lay Investiture
• Tension continues for
centries

11. Answer the Essential Questions..
• What was the Catholic Church’s role in daily life?
• Describe the church hierarchy
• Why was the church powerful in Medieval
Europe?
• Why did conflict arise between the Catholic
Church and the monarchies?