Until reformation, there was only the catholic church
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During the middle ages, who should have been given the power to rule?
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There were 2 sources of sovereignty:
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Secular rulers inherited authority from the Roman Emperor
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The Sovereignty of the Church
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700 -850 - Constantine gave the rule of the Western Empire control to the pope - Donation of
Constantine
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Pope believed that he had the authority to role in Sovereign powers and Spiritual power
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People ruled in the name of the Emperor and the Pope
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The Dual Sovereignty - lead to friction in society
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Who s should have power - emperor or Pope ?
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Guelf - the papal party
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Ghibelline - the imperial party
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Fought each other constantly
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Claims were made by both parties
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Emperors - going to resurrect Roman Rule
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13th Century - Debate and division broke out into Warfare
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Popes began to make greater claims of Sovereignty
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Were able to do this because the Empire was broken
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Greatest Claim - Pope had fullness of power to do anything on Earth or on Heaven
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Said in the Plenitudo Potestatis
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However, this Pope wasn't able to do anything b/c he didnt put the systems in place
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Church grew in Wealth and Power due to it's ability to collect taxes better than anyone else
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The Church had all claims on oaths, wills, Marriages etc...
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Church realized that this was a way to make money
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Appealing to Rome also happened, called the Rota ( Popes court)
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This was a huge source of Income for the church and gave the church tremendous power
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This also created a central taxation system that was extremely successful
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Church felt that it had a right to obtain taxes from everyone in the church
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1228 - Romans collected 10 % tax from the clergy
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Also, the church was able to exercise power in every diocese
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Papal Reservations - Important opposites that the Pope can appoint people too - ex: Bishops
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Papal reservation became a law - Pope was able to appoint everyone
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Papal Provisions - Pope could appoint priests to the farthest parishes
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Communication was bad
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Popes began to provide priests with living for there lives
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The authority of the Church would allow its power to spread across Europe
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Pope - Became an Absolute Ruler over the church by the 13th century
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Power of the Vatican Grew
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More people were hired in Rome to make sure the Church ran smoothly
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Personal of the central - head office became economic - it became a multi - national corporation
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The church was becoming less and less of a spiritual organization
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Spiritual elements were ignored
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Consequence - Church became more involved in economic and political activity
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Friction - broke out into warfare
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And uncharitable and unchristian use of money was developing
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Situation became worse
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The Babylonian captivity - slavery of Israelites
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People had to control idea
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Rome - was ridden with disputes between families
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1300's - The Pope was going to leave because he was sick of the disputes
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1309 - decided to bring the churches office to the French Rivera
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This became a scandal because he broke cannon law
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Corresponded with the 100 years war - Papacy was helping the French
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Church - was becoming highly politicized
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Morality of the head office declined
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The Church
September-26-12
3:09 PM
Sept Lect. Page 1