The Church used various methods to increase its secular authority. One method was through the establishment of a strong hierarchical structure, with the Pope at the top and bishops appointed across different regions. This allowed the Church to exercise control and influence over both clergy and laypeople. Additionally, the Church used the concept of excommunication as a tool to assert its authority, as being excommunicated meant being cut off from the religious community. The Church also employed its vast wealth and power to politically align itself with rulers and gain support for its own interests, further solidifying its secular authority.
