APRIL 20,2008

 

   During the years from about 1073 until 1294, there was the rise of Papal

power to its zenith in Europe; it ended with the initial steps of decline  in that same power. 

 

I. The major schism between the Western (Roman) and the Eastern

(Greek Orthodox) churches occurred in 1054 :

   Differences contributing to the division:

  1. Procession of Holy Spirit—Rome said Spirit was sent from Father & Son,

     while Orthodox said he proceeded from the Father only

  2.Universal authority of Roman Bishop—Orthodox said he was one of five

     equal patriarchs

  3. Immaculate conception of Mary- embraced by Rome, not by Orthodox

  4. Marriage of priests—disallowed by Rome

  5. Removal of cup to laity by Rome; not by Orthodox

  6. Minor issues including use of unleavened bread by Orthodox

Roman delegates sent to Constantinople to settle dispute over unleavened bread

instead placed an anathema on Eastern Ch.; patriarch of Orthodox did the same.

 

II. The document used to support Papal power was called the Donation

of Constantine.  It alleged Emperor Constantine deeded land to the papacy.

It was associated with Isidore of Seville (sometimes called the Isidorian Decretals).  It was later revealed to be a fraud; but in the 8^th century gave power to the papal chair.

 

1. Hildebrand was treasurer of the Roman church and served under Pope Leo 9^th

in correcting weaknesses in the church.  After Nicholas 2^nd became Pope, Hildebrand continued his strong influence including the placing the election of

the Pope under the cardinals, instead of bishops.  It removed such election further away from the Emperor of the Rom.Empire.

 

2. Hildebrand (member of the Benedictine order) became Pope in 1073 and immediately set out to solidify the power of the papal chair over the European

church.  As pope, he is known as Gregory 7^th.

 

3. As Gregory 7^th, he moved to oppose two items of popular practice:

  a. Clerical marriage—while RC priests were either married or had concubines,

Gregory said celibacy was essential to being a priest.  He claimed the Church

could not be free from the rule of the laity unless priests were free from wives.

Part of his thinking about celibacy was ascetic and part was sheer control.

The Encyclical of 1079 required ALL priests to be unmarried.

 b. Investiture—previous to Gregory, bishops were appointed by civil authorities

who, in turn, held and controlled large estates “owned” by the church.  By

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reclaiming this power, Gregory separated the church from the state.

Emperor Henry 4^th resisted this power plan and called for the election of

another pope—in response, Gregory excommunicated & deposed Henry

as Emperor.  Henry repented, appearing at the church in Canossa in winter.

Although conflicts & civil war followed, Gregory’s order remained in place

confirmed by the Concordat of Worms in 1122.

 

III. Pope Innocent 3^rd and the “Golden Age” of Medieval Papacy

1. Born Lothario in Italy, Pope Innocent was a strong ascetic and supporter of

the hierarchical power of the church when he came to power at 37 yr old.

 

2. He was fully committed to a papal theocracy using powerful language of

propaganda to exalt the office of the Roman Bishop.  He strongly referred

to the papal office as “vicar of Christ and of God” and one who is entrusted

with not only the dominion of the church, but rulership of the world.

 

3. He summoned the Fourth Lateran Council of 1215 with the following dogma:

  a. Transubstantiation was made the dogma of the Rom. Church; the bread

    and wine become the actual Body & Blood of Christ during Mass

 b. Declared that “outside of the Roman Catholic church there is NO salvation”

   It re-enforced the power of the Papal Chair over all spiritual authorities.

c. Established the Inquisition to root out and correct all heresies and false

   teaching – Jews & Moslems were to dress differently than Christians.

 

4. Under Innocent, the papal exercise of power was at its greatest.  During

conflicts with King Philip of France (1200) and King John of England (1209),

Innocent placed both men & their people under interdict, forcing them to

yield to his power.  He used the power of the French King against the Emperor of the Roman Empire (Otto) twice and utilized civil power attempting to exterminate the Albigenses of southern France because of their opposition

to papal power and their fidelity to scripture.