The Consequences of Viking Invasions and the Rise of the Church in the Late Middle Ages

1. A Light in the Darkness Pt II Chapter 14

2. Losing and Regaining Focus • The invasions of the Vikings weakened the forces of European unity and expansion. • These acts resulted in violence and dislocation which caused” • isolation, • population to diminish, • the monasteries again became outposts of civilization.

3. The Roman Catholic Church became organized into an elaborate hierarchy with the pope as the head in western Europe.

4. The late Middle Ages were characterized by conflict. • Towns and cities began to grow in alarming numbers, and wanted to have their own self-control. • They wanted to be free of outside leadership. One result of this struggle was the intensification of political and social thinking.

5. During the Middle Ages, the Church was a major part of everyday life. • The Church served to give people spiritual guidance and it served as their government as well.

6. A Serious Break • Communication with Eastern Church cut off b/c of invasions • Differences began to divide the Eastern with the Western Church

7. Differences between Eastern and Western Churches • West – Latin • Priest – not marry • Statues were permitted • Pope in Rome authority • East – used Greek for liturgy • Priests allowed to marry • No statues just pictures • Authority was patriarch in Constantinople

8. The Great Schism • Political rivalry between Rome and Constantinople • 1054 • Patriarch of Const. during liturgy given a papal letter of excommunication • Eastern bishop responded by excommunicating the Pope • Orthodox Church • Roman Church

9. 1965 excommunication of each church removed • We pray that “we may all be one.” • Ecumenism – respect for one another through honest dialogue. • Second Vatican Council • Union of all Christian Churches as Jesus founded

10. The Crusades • Series of military campaigns to allow Christian pilgrims to go to the Holy Land • Holy Wars • Pope Urban II – called first crusade • Won, but great loss of lives • 8 crusades in over 200 years. • Most won by Muslims • Series of mi

11. How the crusades began • End of 10th century relations between religions were tolerated • Christians allowed to pilgrimage to Jerusalem even though held by Muslims • Turks were expanding eastern empire and attacked some pilgrims • Pope Urban II sent 1st crusade

12. Why Pope Urban II began the crusades • Prevent persecutions of pilgrims • Win back the Holy Land • Stop fighting between feudal lords of Europe. They would join together for a united cause • Heal break between the east and west

13. Positives - crusades • Stirred up enthusiasm for Christian faith • Opened doors between east and west • Pilgrimages promoted • A renewed devotion to the Passion of Christ • Way of the Cross intro to Europe • Brought commerce and trade • More people moved to city around church

14. Negatives - crusades • Atrocities committed by Christians and Muslims • Some only to get rich • Further trouble between east and west churches

15. 2000 Pope John Paul II issued an apology for the wrongs committed by some member of the Church during the Crusades. • “The Church cannot cross the threshold of the new millennium without encouraging her children to purify themselves through repentance of past errors and infidelity , inconsistency and slowness to act.

16. The Search for Heretics • During Middle Ages heretics were considered traitors since church and state were united • Heretics put on trial in hopes they would change their minds • Many were severely tortured

17. Inquisition • 13th century • Official Catholic court to examine, investigate, and punish those accused of heresy • Severe torture was inflicted upon the Moors (Muslims) and Jews.

18. A blend of Church and State • Church influenced life of the people • All governed by Church law • People looked to the Church to meet spiritual and physical needs • All celebrated Church feasts • All went to Church schools

19. A Light to Those in Need • St Francis of Assisi • Rich • Sold everything • Teach, preach, caring for poor • Franciscans • Mendicant Order – lived like Christ w/o land or money • Reminded Church to live Gospel of poverty and concern for poor

20. Other religious communities • Dominicans • Carmelites • Capuchins • Augustinians • Vows of poverty, chastity and obedience • Lived in cities • Begged for food (mendicant)

21. Benedictine monks • Stayed in their monasteries

22. Center of Light; The Universities • St Dominic • Wealthy Spanish noble • Became priest • Need for scholars and preachers who lived poor lives • Dominicans • Founded many universities

23. St. Thomas Aquinas • As student slow in giving answers • “dumb ox” • Great Catholic writer and thinker • Summa Theologiae(Summary of Theology) explanation of Catholic beliefs