How did Pope Gregory I increase the power of the Roman Catholic Church?

Answer 1

A:

Pope Gregory VII wanted total mastery, both spiritual and secular, over Europe. He claimed supremacy over the secular authorities, with supreme legislative and judicial power, and the right to depose all princes and to have all Christians as his subjects. He also claimed what was then another innovation - the sole right to appoint bishops, with a council held in the Lateran in 1075 decreeing that the pope alone could appoint or depose churchmen or move them from see to see. He also attempted to organise a crusade into Spain and a military expedition to the Holy Land, as well as attempting to heal the Great Schism of 1054, reuniting Christianity under papal rule.

In 1074, Gregory wrote to Emperor Henry IV reproaching him for his conduct and telling him that like everybody else, he was bound to obey papal decrees. If Henry did not, he would have to suffer the consequences. Henry, furious at such insolence, summoned at Worms a synod of German bishops, who were themselves smarting under Gregory's dictates. The synod denounced Gregory as a usurper of the papacy and accused him of perjury, immorality of various kinds, and abuses of papal authority in the dioceses of Germany. It pronounced Gregory deposed, a sentence confirmed by bishops of Lombardy.

A few weeks later, Gregory held a synod in Rome, that excommunicated Henry and all the bishops who had sided with him, released Henry's vassals from their oath of fealty, and declared him deposed. Henry, placed on the defensive and with his throne endangered, had to agree to allow Gregory to come to Augsburg in Germany to settle the affair. Gregory accepted the invitation, set out but had difficulty getting through Lombardy because of the strong sentiment against him. Finding his passage to Germany blocked by the Lombards, Gregory accepted Henry's plea for forgiveness at Canossa, and Henry was able to return and present to his subjects his absolution as the definitive settlement of the affair.

Now feeling secure in Germany, Henry marched into Italy with his troops in 1081 and laid siege to Rome. In desperation Gregory appealed to the Normans. Henry's forces withdrew, without giving battle. The Normans had freed the city from the emperor but then looted and burnt at least a third of it. The result was one the worst sacks in the history of Rome, for which the Romans held Gregory responsible. He managed to get out of the city unscathed, though cursed, and made his way to Salerno where the Normans ensured his safety.

Gregory died in exile, defeated and powerless. He had achieved none of his main objectives, but brought about his own ruin. John W. O'Malley S.J. (A History of the Popes) says that no pope ever died hated by more people than Gregory VII.

Answer 2

St. Gregory the Great was one of the most outstanding popes the Church has ever had, and his influence is still felt to this day, Plainsong is still called Gregorian Chant, and several other innovations of his, like chanting the Alleluia before the Gospel outside of Paschal-time are still in effect. Kind of miraculous when you consider that he was pope 1,400 years ago - a thousand years before protestants were even thought of! Nevertheless, I don't think he did any particular thing for the purpose of expanding the power of the papacy.

Answer 3

Papacy became secular. Gregory then broadened the authority of paacy.

He also used church revenues to raise armies repair roads and help the poor.

Answer 4

Gregory I increased the political power of the pope by expanding his powers. He started to become more involved with the secular powers in the political world.

Answer 5

There have been 16 popes named Gregory. Please be specific.