What was the feudal pyramid in the church during medieval times?

Answer 1

The medieval Church structure was not feudal, so "feudal pyramid" is not an appropriate term to use. Instead it had two distinct branches - "regular" and "secular".

The "regular" hierarchy included all those members of the Church who lived according to a regula, or Rule: monks, nuns and canons. The ladder begins with oblates and conversi(oblates being children given to a monastery and conversi being adults who sought to become members of the community). Then they became novices, then fully-professed monks or nuns. In the monasteries they could achieve positions of minor authority and responsibility, appointments which were called "obedientaries"; these included cellarer, infirmerer, sacrist, kitchener and many more.

Above the monks or nuns would be a brother Prior or Sister Prioress; above that was a Father Abbot or Mother Abbess. These were subject directly to the Pope or to an appointed legate acting on the Pope's behalf.

The "secular" hierarchy included all those clergy who had daily contact with ordinary people. At the bottom were church doorkeepers and churchwardens, then clerks in minor orders (including acolytes and lectors), then clerks in Holy orders, including deacons, priests and bishops. These were all directly subject to an Archbishop, who was in turn subject to the Pope.

To confuse matters, some monks could become priests (this was necessary in order to provide the services and Masses in monasteries); it was much more rare for a priest to become a monk and the Rule of St Benedict infers that this should be avoided if possible.

Answer 2

In the feudal pyramid of the church during medieval times, the Pope was at the top, followed by cardinals, bishops, priests, and monks. Below them were the peasants and serfs who made up the majority of the congregation. This hierarchical structure allowed the Church to wield significant political and religious power over society.