Decline in the Medieval Church

Spiritual Spiritual AuthorityAuthority

TemporalTemporalAuthorityAuthority

Political &SpiritualPoverty

PROBLEMS OF THE CHURCH

Marriage of the clergy - forbidden by Church law

Simony - Buying & selling of Church positions.

Lay Investiture - Granting of authority to clergy members by kings or nobles.

Corruption of some popes who had been chosen by civil leaders.

ATTEMPTS AT CHURCH REFORM

WEAPONS OF THE CHURCH

Excommunication - Cut individuals off from the Church. Could no longer receive the sacraments

Interdict - Cut off sacraments to an entire region or nation

Inquisition – An individual suspected of being a heretic could be questioned, tortured, or even killed.

Decline in the Medieval Church

Official ChurchOfficial ChurchBeliefsBeliefs HeresiesHeresiesTheological

Differences

John Wycliffe• Lollards

• John Huss• Hussites

The Hussite Wars [1420-1436]

The Babylonian Captivity (1309-1377)

The Papal Complex, Avignon France

The Great Schism: 1377-1417