Vigorous or Corrupt? Christianity on the Eve of the Reformation Flashcards
What views do we need to avoid?
Reformation was inevitable (why would anyone remain)
Reformation was inexplicable (why would anyone leave?)
Three main types of difficulties in late medieval Christianity?
Anticlericalism
Structural
Legacy of schism or conciliarism
What was anticlericalism?
Resentments of, complaints about and actions against clerical abuses and/or privelidges
Directed at the clergy (of all levels) by the laity
Variable in intensity and focus - antipapalism, antiepiscopalism, anti monasticism). Could be fuelled by cultural identity - eg antipapalism (Italian) in Germany
What clerical priviliges were there?
Exempt from trial for civil offences
Exempt from paying taxes
Annual ecclesiatical tax
Fees paid to clergy for services (Masses, confessions)
Exemption from civic duties (nightwatch, fire fighting)
What abuses of clerical power were there?
Clerical greed (Simony - buying and selling church offices, Pluralism - holding more than one church office)
Poor formation
Moral failings (concubines when supposedly vow of chastity)
What structural issues were there?
Accretionist character of the church
Clergy performing non-spiritual duties
Secular control
What is meant by accretionist character of the church?
Accumulation over centuries
Frictions between secular and regular clergy
Accumulation of theological traditions (nominalism didn’t replace realism)
Accumulation of religious practices and devotions (pilgrimages, processions, saints)
Not monlithic or homogenous. Cumulative dynamism
What non-spiritual functions were the clergy involved in?
Higher literacy meant clergy were called to be involved in secular activities - eg lawyers/administrators, clerics
This caused conflict between secular and ecclesiastical employers
Priests could be distracted from their spiritual responsibilities to their flock
What was the issue with secular control over the church?
Unresolved tensions about authority to appoint bishops, priests?
Resulted in “negotiated settlements” between secular and church authorities - secular nominations and papal approval
In SW Germany and Switzerland towns/cities emplyed preachers directly. This was an important shift.
Explain the issues with schism and concilarism
conflict over source of authority led to Papal schism 1378-1417 multiple popes. 1415 decree that councils overruled popes. 1450 - Pope Gregory - papal supremacy over councils. Legacy remianed.
Signs of life and vitality of Late Medieval church?
Lay support for clerical activities
Lay piety and Devotion
Calls for Reform
What were some ways the lay supported clierical activities
Financial investment building, renovation, decoration
Purchase of Masses
Support of preaching - local and ‘star’ preachers
What are some examples of lay piety/devotion that showed life in the church
Invention of printing press in 1450 - lots of printed devotionals in vernacular
Bible, visual component, Indulgences - originally for extreme acts - became avaialble for domesticated acts of piety
“Devotio moderna” lay and clerical movement began in Netherlands in 1380s brothers and sisters of common life.
Society not seeking to change religious conviction but trying to enter more deeply into spiritual life.
How were the calls for reform a sign of vitality?
People complain about what matters to them - a concern about caring for souls better. Church was not irrelevant.
Observantine movement - internal reform of monastic orders - return to foundations
Apocalyptic expectations - individulas exhorted to repent and reform in view of the imminent end of the world
How was the church both vigorous and corrupt?
perceived abuses <> religious committment
widespread concern of religious integrity
Strong religious sensibilities
Frustration by lack of reform
Conservatism calls for reform
