Chapter 14A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS PT II

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.

LOSING AND REGAINING FOCUS

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

The late Middle Ages were characterized by confl ict.

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.

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.

Communication with Eastern Church cut off b/c of invasions

Differences began to divide the Eastern with the Western Church

A SERIOUS BREAK

East – used Greek for liturgy

Priests allowed to marry

No statues just pictures

Authority was patriarch in Constantinople

West – LatinPriest – not marryStatues were

permittedPope in Rome

authority

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EASTERN AND WESTERN CHURCHES

Political rivalry between Rome and Constantinople

1054Patriarch of Const.

during liturgy given a papal letter of excommunication

Eastern bishop responded by excommunicating the Pope

Orthodox ChurchRoman Church

THE GREAT SCHISM

1965 excommunication of each church removed

We pray that “we may all be one.”

Ecumenism – respect for one another through honest dialogue.

Second Vatican CouncilUnion of all Christian

Churches as Jesus founded

Series of mi Series of military campaigns to allow Christian pilgrims to go to the Holy Land

Holy WarsPope Urban II – called

first crusadeWon, but great loss of

lives8 crusades in over

200 years.Most won by Muslims

THE CRUSADES

End of 10 th 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 1 st crusade

HOW THE CRUSADES BEGAN

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

WHY POPE URBAN II BEGAN THE CRUSADES

Stirred up enthusiasm for Christian faith

Opened doors between east and west

Pilgrimages promotedA renewed devotion to

the Passion of ChristWay of the Cross intro

to EuropeBrought commerce and

tradeMore people moved to

city around church

POSITIVES - CRUSADES

Atrocities committed by Christians and Muslims

Some only to get rich

Further trouble between east and west churches

NEGATIVES - CRUSADES

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 infi delity , inconsistency and slowness to act.

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

THE SEARCH FOR HERETICS

13th centuryOffi cial Catholic

court to examine, investigate, and punish those accused of heresy

Severe torture was inflicted upon the Moors (Muslims) and Jews.

INQUISITION

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

A BLEND OF CHURCH AND STATE

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

A LIGHT TO THOSE IN NEED

DominicansCarmelitesCapuchinsAugustiniansVows of poverty,

chastity and obedience

Lived in citiesBegged for food

(mendicant)

OTHER RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES

Benedictine monksStayed in their monasteries

St DominicWealthy Spanish noble

Became priestNeed for scholars and preachers who lived poor lives

DominicansFounded many universities

CENTER OF LIGHT; THE UNIVERSITIES

As student: slow in giving answers

“dumb ox”Great Catholic

writer and thinkerSumma Theologiae

(summary of theology) explanation of Catholic beliefs

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS