Was Pope Gregory VII trying to purify the Church of corrupt bishops or trying to increase his power over kings?
I know for sure that the answer is to increase power over kings.
But I don't exactly know WHY.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_VII
Read EVERYTHING in the first paragraph, especially from the second sentence onward. Check out the footnoted references. It's VERY clear.
Okay, sure thing
thank you so much :D
To understand why Pope Gregory VII was seeking to increase his power over kings, it is important to consider the historical and political context of his time. Pope Gregory VII, born as Hildebrand, served as the Pope of the Catholic Church from 1073 to 1085.
During this period, the Catholic Church held significant influence and authority over both spiritual and temporal matters throughout Europe. However, the power dynamics between the Church and secular rulers were often contentious and subject to frequent conflicts. These conflicts were primarily centered around issues of authority and control.
One of the key issues that Pope Gregory VII faced was the question of lay investiture. Lay investiture was a practice wherein secular rulers had the authority to appoint bishops and other high-ranking church officials, thus giving them significant influence within the Church. This practice eroded the independence and autonomy of the Church and created a power struggle between the Pope and kings.
Pope Gregory VII recognized the need to assert the authority of the Church and reduce secular interference in ecclesiastical matters. His efforts in this regard were motivated by a desire to purify the Church of corrupt bishops, but also to reestablish the Pope's supremacy and independence from secular rulers.
By challenging the power of kings and seeking to abolish lay investiture, Pope Gregory VII aimed to strengthen the autonomy of the Church and ensure its spiritual purity. He believed that without such measures, the Church would remain susceptible to corruption and its ability to fulfill its religious and moral responsibilities would be compromised.
Overall, while Pope Gregory VII's desire to increase his power over kings and secular rulers was driven by political motives, it was also rooted in the broader aim of ensuring a more spiritual and pure Church.