Day 2- 3/2 THE MORAL ABUSE AND POWER OF THE PAPACY AT
THE TIME
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:25,26)
No one could tell the Pope “No.” The Pope was considered the Vicar of Christ who held the keys to the kingdom (and most said to hell). In 1302 The Pope issued a bull (Unam Sanctum) that said the Pope was the supreme head of the church and there is no salvation outside of the church. Some kings had tried to test the power of the Pope but were excommunicated. A classic example is Henry IV, the Holy Roman Emperor, who tried to appoint his own bishops in 1077. The Pope excommunicated Henry which also meant all the people under his rule were excommunicated (and many believed thus going to hell). The people were about to rebel against King Henry. He had to walk to Pope Gregory’s castle and stay outside in the snow three days until he was forgiven. But perhaps the turning point came eight years later when Henry deposed Gregory.
Some of the abuses of the church were a rise in sexual immorality especially among bishops and popes; the selling of indulgences (buying forgiveness by contributing to the church); the immense wealth of the church and clergy (while lifting up poverty); Simony- the idea that a religious post could be bought for money when the priest knew nothing about the faith and did not even live with the people was common. Sacerdotalism- giving the church and its clergy to great a power was too common. The Reformation brought the clergy and pope off the pedestal. People could pray directly to Christ for forgiveness without having to go through a priest. People could read the scriptures in their own language and understand it for the first time.
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:25,26)
No one could tell the Pope “No.” The Pope was considered the Vicar of Christ who held the keys to the kingdom (and most said to hell). In 1302 The Pope issued a bull (Unam Sanctum) that said the Pope was the supreme head of the church and there is no salvation outside of the church. Some kings had tried to test the power of the Pope but were excommunicated. A classic example is Henry IV, the Holy Roman Emperor, who tried to appoint his own bishops in 1077. The Pope excommunicated Henry which also meant all the people under his rule were excommunicated (and many believed thus going to hell). The people were about to rebel against King Henry. He had to walk to Pope Gregory’s castle and stay outside in the snow three days until he was forgiven. But perhaps the turning point came eight years later when Henry deposed Gregory.
Some of the abuses of the church were a rise in sexual immorality especially among bishops and popes; the selling of indulgences (buying forgiveness by contributing to the church); the immense wealth of the church and clergy (while lifting up poverty); Simony- the idea that a religious post could be bought for money when the priest knew nothing about the faith and did not even live with the people was common. Sacerdotalism- giving the church and its clergy to great a power was too common. The Reformation brought the clergy and pope off the pedestal. People could pray directly to Christ for forgiveness without having to go through a priest. People could read the scriptures in their own language and understand it for the first time.
Other thoughts: Below is Pope Alexander VI (Borgia), who was pope 1492- 1503. He was known for taking over Italy by force with the help of his son Cesare (Popes were supposed to be celibate). He was also accused of having an incestuous relationship with his daughter (which he was not supposed to have anyway). The Popes of the late middle ages had torturous inquisitions, but they had free reign to do what they wished to do.
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