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During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church was the supreme political and religious power in Europe. Even though it was sometimes invaded and had its lands annexed, the Church still had immense influence over the people of most European nations and thus rulers were ever cautious in how they appeared vis-a-vis the Church. To this end, the Church exercised excommunication as a last resort in spiritual and political conflicts. Excommunications were extremely powerful since they basically alienated the excommunicated person from all of society, which was basically Christian. As a result, the excommunicated person was often quick to repent. People were excommunicated for: * Apostasy * Heresy * Assault of a Church official * Attack on Church territories * An attack on another Christen monarch or land * Failure to enforce or recognize a papal mandate * Withholding Church funds * Convening a Church Council without papal approval * Ordination of a bishop without papal mandate
There were other reasons, but these suffice as an example. Often wars were started or diverted by whom the Church supported. Drawing an excommunication upon oneself was to be avoided, especially by rulers, since Christians were not obliged to follow an excommunicated sovereign and thus, if intransigent, a ruler could lose their entire kingdom.
Christians believed that a person who died while excommunicated would not go to heaven.
Roman Catholic AnswerAn excommunicated person cannot receive the Sacraments, and in formal excommunication (vitandus - excommunicated by name) they are to be avoided. In a society that revolved around the Church, this would effectively cast you out of society.The Church has never believed, much less taught that she had the power to condemn someone to hell, and excommunication was always with a view to reforming a person so that they could attain heaven. The Church is, and always has been, since the time of the Apostles, in the business of saving souls.
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WHY did people fear excommunication?
they wouldnt go to heaven
What is it called when a country get kicked out of church during the medieval times?
excommunication. It's still the same now.
What two actions could the church take to punish christians?
Excommunication and Fines. They could also use public humiliation.
Why did the medieval Christian church use excommunication and the interdict?
Catholic AnswerExcommunication and Interdiction were used in the medieval Church the same as they are today - to save people's souls. These are the most extreme punishments used to bring people to their senses, and only used in the most extreme cases. Excommunication is used to deny a person access to the sacraments, except of course, confession; interdiction denies the sacraments to a whole area or country. Though relatively rare, excommunication today is much more common as several very serious sins, such as procuring a successful abortion, incur automatic excommunication.
Gothic cathedrals expressed the what of medieval Christians?
the spirituality
Which medieval city was the ultimate pilgrimage site for Christians?
Jerusalem
How did medieval Christians believe they could achieve salvation?
sacraments
Were medieval queens Christians?
Most medieval queens in Europe were Christians. Some were not. Aside from those areas of Europe where there were pagans, there were well organized and sophisticated monarchies in Europe that were Muslim, such as those in Spain and Sicily.
Are Christians god fearing?
They should be. Many places in the Bible this is written: 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, ........ This is not the fear and trembling kind of fear but reverential fear
Give you a sentence for excommunication?
The pope has authority over excommunication.
When was The Excommunication of Christ created?
The Excommunication of Christ was created in 2001.
What is it called when the pope cast an official out of the church?
excommunication
