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How Did The Catholic Church Decline In The High Middle Ages

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The High Middle Ages was a period of massive change in European life. The Catholic Church was larger than life, and had hands in every pot, so it's hard to imagine how its power waned. The rise of nation states, new religious movements, secular thinking, and the Great Schism were all major reasons for The Catholic Churches decline. One of the many reasons for the decline of the Catholic Church's power was the rise of nation-states in Europe. During the High Middle Ages, Europe was a collection of small, decentralized kingdoms and principalities. However, as the period progressed, these small outfits began to consolidate into larger, more centralized states. The growth of trade and commerce, the rise of powerful feudal lords, and the increasing …show more content…

During the High Middle Ages, the Catholic Church was the dominant religious institution in Europe, and it had a monopoly on the interpretation of Christian doctrine. However, as the period progressed, new religious movements began to emerge, such as the Cathars in southern France and the Waldensians in northern Italy. These movements challenged the authority of the Catholic Church by presenting alternative interpretations of Christian doctrine and promoting a more personal and individualistic approach to faith. In response, the Catholic Church launched a series of campaigns against these groups, including the Albigensian Crusade, which was waged against the Cathars in the early 13th century.The Albigensian Crusade was “Béziers' inhabitants, around 10,000 people, were infamously slaughtered in cold blood by the Crusaders”(Cartwright). This violence between Christians was viewed unfavorably by many Europeans, and eventually would be the attitude that would be reflected in the abandonment of The Catholic Church as an omnipotent entity .Not only the powerful, but the masses were starting to act in defiance of the Catholic Church, putting even more pressure on the …show more content…

During the High Middle Ages, the Catholic Church was not just a religious institution, but also a political and economic one. It controlled vast amounts of land and wealth, and its leaders wielded significant political power. However, as the period progressed, people began to question the Church's authority in these areas.In particular, the rise of humanism and the Renaissance led to a renewed interest in classical learning and a more secular outlook on life. This secularism challenged the Church's claims to moral and intellectual authority. Later on we will see Martin Luther’s 95 theses further question the Church, and lead us further down the path of separation of church and

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