Question

What role did the Christian Church have over Western Europe during the Middle Ages?

Answer 1

From what I understand, the kings and the church were separate but kings answered to the Pope who was Head of the Catholic Church and Bishop of Rome. Am I right or at least on track?

Answer 2

yes ure right

Answer 3

church allways had a great power even kings sometimes had to obey it

Answer 4

@JoshXD Okay, thank you! I just wasn't sure. ;)

Answer 5

medal?

Answer 6

oh thanks

Answer 7

No problem!

Answer 8

The Christian Church had no role over western Europe. But the Catholic Church did(:

Answer 9

oooopsey

Answer 10

Ohhhhh.... okay, I see now. But aren't Catholics Christian?

Answer 11

but iw as partialy right

Answer 12

The Roman Catholic Church played an important role in practically every area of life during the Middle Ages. Let us examine three different ways in which it did so.

First, the Roman Catholic Church was the only church at this time. As such, it was felt to have a monopoly on religious knowledge and on the relationship between Europeans and God. In other words, the Church could control who went to Heaven and who went to Hell. This gave it tremendous power over people’s lives. The Church did much to determine how people would live since it said what was permissible and what was not.

Second, the Church was a major political force during this time. Kings and queens wanted and needed papal approval, particularly when they were somewhat weak (as in times of conflict over succession). This, among other things, allowed the Church to exercise political power as it could help to determine which claimants to a throne would be deemed acceptable. There was a long history of tension between the church and secular authority over this and other political issues.

Finally, the Church was deeply involved in economic life. The Church controlled a great deal of land (the main source of wealth at this time), largely because it owned monasteries. By owning all the land connected to the monasteries (often willed to it by people wanting to ensure their own salvation), the Church was a major economic power.

Answer 13

catholics are cristian

Answer 14

Okay, so just to be crystal clear... the Catholic Church and the Christian Church are different?

Answer 15

Now they are grouped into Christianity. but if you were to go back to that time and ask the anyone who was Catholic if they were a christian. They'd look at you like your stupid

Answer 16

There was no such thing as Christianity in the Middle Ages. The only monotheistic religion they had in Europe was the Roman Catholic Church.