Chapter 3 Section 2

Chapter 3 Section 2

The Christian religion is one of the most important legacies of ancient

Rome. Christians are followers of Jesus, who, according to Christian

scripture, was put to death on a Roman cross in the 1st century C.E.

Christians believe that Jesus was the son of God, that God sent him to

Earth to save people from their sins, and that he rose from the dead

after his death by crucifixion.

The Organization of the Roman Catholic Church

Over time, Church leaders developed an organization that was modeled on the structure of the old Roman government. By the High Middle Ages, they had created a system in which all clergy members had a rank. The pope, who was the bishop of Rome, was the supreme head of the Roman Catholic Church. He was assisted and counseled by high-ranking clergymen called cardinals. Cardinals were appointed by the pope and ranked just below him in the Church hierarchy.

Multiple Choice

high-ranking clergymen were called...

• cardinals

• knights

• kings

Multiple Choice

____were appointed by the pope and ranked just below him in the Church hierarchy.

• kings

• Cardinals

• knights

Multiple Choice

By the High Middle Ages, they had created a system in which all clergy members had a _______

• rank

• name

• job

Archbishops came next.

They oversaw large or important areas called archdioceses. Below them were bishops, who governed areas called dioceses from great cathedrals. Within each diocese, priests served

local communities, called parishes. Each parish had its own church

building.

Multiple Choice

Who came first Archbishops or Bishops

• Bishops

• Archbishops

The Church also came to wield great political power. Latin, the language of the Church, was the only common language in Europe. Church officials were often the only people who could read. As a result, they kept records for monarchs and became trusted scribes and advisers.

At times, the Church's power brought it into conflict with European monarchs. One key struggle involved Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV,

the Holy Roman emperor.

Multiple Choice

Who Argued ? Pope Gregory VII and ________

• John Paul

• Henry IV

• Henry

Multiple Choice

Who could read?

• Church officals

• Everyone

Gregory was elected pope in 1073. An ambitious leader, he undertook

several reforms, such as forbidding priests to marry and outlawing the selling of Church offices (official positions). He also banned the practice whereby kings could appoint priests, bishops, and the heads of monasteries. Only the pope, said Gregory, had this right.

Gregory's ruling angered Henry IV. Like rulers before him, Henry considered it his duty (and privilege) to appoint Church officials. He called a council of bishops and declared that Gregory was no longer pope. Gregory responded by excommunicating Henry. This meant Henry was thrown out of the Church and, therefore, could not gain

salvation. Gregory also said that Henry's subjects were no longer

obliged to obey him.

The pope's influence was so great that Henry begged forgiveness and was readmitted to the Church. For the moment, his action amounted to recognizing the pope's authority even over an emperor. But future rulers and popes would resume the fight over the rights of the Church

versus those of the state.

Multiple Choice

Gregory also said that Henry's subjects HAD

to obey him.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Henry begged for forgiveness

• true

• false