Comparing The Views Of King Henry IV And Pope Gregory VII

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King Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII held polar opposite views on the authority of the papacy and imperial power of the state. King Henry held the view that the secular government had legal control over the church, which gave him the ability to appoint layman to provide investitures to the clergy. Pope Gregory held the view that the Pope held sole power over the church. The reason why Pope Gregory held this view was, according to church teaching, God had given St. Peter the keys to heaven, and this authority was passed down from Pope to Pope. Pope Gregory made himself clear of his claim to power in The Dictates of the Pope. It read as followed, “That the Roman church was founded by God alone” and, “that the Roman pontiff alone can be with right be called universal” and, “that he alone can depose or reinstate bishops.”1 …show more content…

According to Emperor Henry IV’s letter to Pope Gregory VII on Jan 24th, 1076, “By wiles, namely, which the profession of monk abhors, thou has achieved money; by money, favour; by the sword, the throne of peace".2 After accusing the Pope of misusing papal power Henry uses this chance to assert his own authority by referring to the word St. Peter himself, who exclaims: “Fear God, honour the king”3. By doing this he is trying to elevate his own status by trying to throw the Pope under the bus. Henry then demands that Gregory step down and let someone else have the throne of St. Peter, who will not misuse his power with violence, but instead teach the sound doctrine of St.

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