How did the Church become influential in the political and cultural affairs in western Europe during the medieval period?
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What was the influence of the Church in medieval Europe?The church played a very important role in medieval society. Possessing religious and moral authority, she promoted the idea of the divine origin of royal power and encouraged people to be humble and submissive. Church parish was one of the most important forms of organization of social intercourse of people.
How did the Church have a political influence during the Middle Ages?Whereas churches today are primarily religious institutions, the Catholic Church of the Middle Ages held tremendous political power. In some cases, Church authorities (notably the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church) held more power than kings or queens. The Church had the power to tax, and its laws had to be obeyed.
How did the Catholic Church influence politics in medieval Europe?The parish priests told the people to respect the king, nobles, and other government officials. The people were told to obey the king's law unless they went against church laws. People who disobeyed the pope or church laws lost their membership in the church. They would also lose their political rights.
Why was the Catholic Church so important to the people of Western Europe?The Roman Catholic Church grew in importance after Roman authority declined. It became the unifying force in Western Europe. During the Middle Ages, the Pope anointed the Emperors, missionaries carried Christianity to the Germanic tribes, and the Church served the social, political, and religious needs of the people.
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