Western Civilization History: Analysis of Catholic Church's Dominance

This report examines the Catholic Church's rise to prominence following the collapse of the Roman Empire. It focuses on the increasing power of the Pope, who was viewed as God's representative, and the resulting influence on both religious and political spheres. The report highlights the significance of Lay Investiture and the subsequent Investiture Controversy between Popes and Holy Roman emperors. This conflict, stemming from the Pope's decree against simony, led to a civil war in Germany. The report references sources like Fordham University's sourcebooks and Yale Law School's Avalon Project to support its analysis of this historical period. The assignment emphasizes the church's role as a gatekeeper to heaven and the impact of these factors on the church's popularity and influence.

Running head: WESTERN CIVILIZATION HISTORY 1
WESTERN CIVILIZATION HISTORY
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WESTERN CIVILIZATION HISTORY 2
WESTERN CIVILIZATION HISTORY
The Catholic Church has maintained its dominance since its rice to popularity in the
middle ages after the collapse of the Roman Empire. One notable aspect that characterized the
church back then between 8th and 13 centuries was the popularity of the institution of the pope or
bishop of Rome as he was called back then. The ascension to such great power by the pope
followed the emergence of the Catholic Church as the only standing institution following the
collapse of the Roman Empire. The much power possessed by the pope was largely attributed to
the fact that he was perceived as God’s representative on earth directly appointed by God (Yale
Law School, 2020). In addition, the pope widely became a figure of both political and religious
authority replacing the roman emperor. His popularity, may also be attributed to the place of the
church which he led as a gatekeeper of heaven.
The rise in popularity came with wide-ranging consequences. Notably, it led to the
banning of Lay investiture whereby emperors were prohibited from appointing church officials.
This consequently led to the investiture controversy or a continuous dispute between Popes and
Holy Roman emperors and over the appointment of the clergy. This followed the decree by Pope
George VII that those who had paid money to advance to any holy office or orders had no
authority to preside over church functions. These supremacy wars resulted to a civil war that
lasted for about 50 years in Germany (Halsall, 2020).
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WESTERN CIVILIZATION HISTORY 3
References
Halsall, P. (2020). Ban on Lay Investitures, 1078. Retrieved 19 April 2020, from
https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/g7-invest1.asp
Yale Law School. (2020). The Avalon Project: Documents Relating to the War of the
Investitures - First Deposition and Banning of Henry IV By Gregory VII; February 22,
1076. Retrieved 19 April 2020, from https://avalon.law.yale.edu/medieval/inv04.asp