was pope gregory VII trying to purify the church form corrupt bishops or tryingto increase his own power ?
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=pope+gregory+vii&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=93c3c78db929eee0
Read lots and let us know what you discover.
pls help me answer ths its due in four hours
You need to do the reading and thinking. Basically you are being asked if you think he was a "good guy" or a power-hungry, selfish pope.
Don't waste time continuing to post here, expecting someone else to do your thinking and writing for you. Read at least the first, third, and sixth article in those search results. You need to come to your own conclusion.
Thanks for da help that article really helped me :D
Excellent. That's very good news! =)
To understand whether Pope Gregory VII was trying to purify the Church or increase his own power, it is important to consider the historical context and the actions taken by Gregory VII during his papacy.
Pope Gregory VII, also known as Hildebrand of Sovana, was the Pope from 1073 to 1085. He is well-known for his efforts to reform the Church and its hierarchy. His goals included addressing issues of simony (the buying and selling of ecclesiastical offices) and clerical marriage, as well as asserting papal authority over secular rulers.
To determine Gregory VII's intentions, we can examine the steps he took during his pontificate:
1. Curbing Simony: Gregory VII strongly opposed the practice of simony, which involved the payment of money or gifts in exchange for ecclesiastical appointments. He enacted several decrees and reforms aimed at eradicating this corruption within the Church. One of the significant actions Gregory took was issuing the "Dictatus Papae," a document that sought to strengthen papal authority and assert control over matters of appointment within the Church.
2. Enforcing Celibacy: Gregory VII also pushed for clerical celibacy, prohibiting married priests from performing sacraments. This measure aimed to combat nepotism within the Church. By enforcing celibacy, he sought to ensure that the appointment of bishops and other church officials was based on merit rather than familial connections.
3. Asserting Papal Authority: Throughout his papacy, Gregory VII strategically sought to increase and consolidate papal authority. He believed that the Pope should hold supremacy over both the spiritual and secular realms. He engaged in various conflicts with secular rulers, most notably the Investiture Controversy, where he challenged the practice of secular rulers appointing bishops. This conflict was primarily driven by his desire to maintain papal control over the appointment of bishops and control the Church's hierarchy.
Considering the actions taken by Gregory VII, it becomes clear that his primary objective was to reform and purify the Church, rather than solely seeking to increase his own power. By combating simony, enforcing celibacy, and asserting papal authority, he aimed to restore moral and spiritual integrity to the Church, ensuring that appointments were based on merit rather than corrupt practices.
However, it is important to note that the pursuit of these reforms did result in a centralization of power within the papacy. While Gregory VII may have genuinely believed in the cause and righteousness of his reforms, it is also true that through consolidating authority, he strengthened the papal office itself.