0
If there was one thing that made the Catholic Church corrupt to its core, for centuries to come, it was the creation of the document known as the Donation of Constantine. The Donation of Constantine was an eighth-century forgery purporting to be from Emperor Constantine in the fourth century, bestowing huge ecclesiastical and political authority upon Pope Sylvester and his successors. Pope Stephen II took his document to Pepin, king of the Franks, in 755, asking for help so that lands then held by the Lombards be "restored" to St. Peter himself, because four centuries earlier Constantine had granted them to Sylvester. In the grand scheme of things, this reflects on Stephen and his forger, probably a papal official called Christophorous, not on the Church as a whole, and there is no suggestion that subsequent popes actually knew the Donation to be a forgery.
The Donation of Constantine changed the papacy, making it a prize to be fought over or bought, and therefore changed the Church itself. The Papal States won by Stephen and subsequently consolidated and expanded, helped make the pope the richest man in Europe. During long periods of the Middle Ages, simony, murder and corruption became common currency at the highest levels of the Catholic Church. Popes who bought their way into office did not stop with living in incredible luxury, but openly kept concubines or mistresses, and provided for the 'nephews' who resulted from these unions, often promoting them to the positions of bishop or cardinal while still in their teens.
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
The Catholic Church became corrupt in the Middle Ages due to issues such as nepotism, simony (buying/selling of church positions), and the lavish lifestyles of clergy. There were also instances of moral corruption among some members of the clergy, leading to a decline in the Church's reputation.
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoAnother answer from our community:
The Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Christ (see Acts 9:1-5, 1 Cor 12:12-14), with Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ, as its Head, and the Holy Spirit guiding it - as guaranteed by God, Himself. As such, the Church is incapable of becoming corrupt. That being said, individuals, all of whom, saving Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ, and His Mother, are sinners and in need of salvation. And some of them do not even appear to be trying. Nevertheless, the Church, itself, cannot be corrupt. to believe so is to doubt God's Word, and that is impossible. If you would like to ask a question about individuals during a specific period in history did not live up to their Christian faith, I would suggest that you ask that question, and not such a general question which, on its face, makes no sense.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoChurch leaders become corrupt for the same reason that everybody else becomes corrupt. Sinfulness.
When you find someone who is corrupt you can trace it back to greed and arrogance.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What practice was corrupt in the Catholic church during the Renaissance?
During the Renaissance, the Catholic Church was involved in corrupt practices such as the sale of indulgences. Indulgences were essentially a way for people to pay for the forgiveness of their sins, leading to accusations of exploitation and misuse of power within the Church.
What is a corrupt cardinal?
A corrupt cardinal is a high-ranking official in the Catholic Church who is involved in unethical or illegal activities, such as embezzlement, bribery, or abuse of power. This goes against the principles of integrity and morality expected of clergy members within the Church.
Is the Catholic Church as corrupt in real life as it in the Godfather?
The portrayal of corruption in the Catholic Church in "The Godfather" is fictional and exaggerated for dramatic effect. While the Church, like any large institution, has faced scandals and controversies, it is not as systematically corrupt as depicted in the movie. It is important to distinguish between fiction and reality when considering the portrayal of any institution in a film.
The most corrupt church in the world is in which country?
It is subjective to label a specific church as the most corrupt in the world. Corruption can exist in various institutions globally, and attributing it to a specific church or location may not be accurate.
Is a monk's job to tell the Catholic Church if they are being corrupt?
While it's not a monk's specific job to police the Catholic Church for corruption, monks are called to maintain integrity and moral values within their own communities. If a monk witnesses corruption within the Church, they may choose to address it through proper channels or seek guidance from higher authorities. Ultimately, the responsibility for addressing corruption within the Catholic Church lies with its leaders and members as a whole.
What was wrong with the Catholic church's in 1500?
The Catholic Church had become corrupt unfourtantely and priests and even the pope over used their power. They did such things as charged money for absolution.
Why do you think people who left the Catholic Church called themselves Protestants?
The people were protesting some corrupt practices in the Catholic Church.
Protestants wanted to reform the catholic church in the 16th century because they believed the church was to?
corrupt.
Did the catholic Church become so politically powerful?
Through bribery and corruption. Many of the Popes throughout the history were corrupt and manipulated the affairs of countries.
Who started the Protestant Reformation by objecting to the corrupt practices of the Catholic Church?
Martin Luther
Why did puritans reject the catholic church?
Puritans rejected the Catholic Church because they believed it was corrupt, emphasizing simplicity in religious practice and governance. They sought to purify the Church of England from what they perceived as remnants of Catholicism.
Can a Catholic become an orangeman?
Not as far as the Catholic Church is concerned.
What was the core reason why Protestants wanted to reform the Catholic Church?
AnswerThere were several issues over which the Protestants and Catholics were in dispute, but the factor common to almost all issues was that the Protestants felt that the Catholic Church had become corrupt. This is highlighted by the sale of indulgences by the Catholic Church, the very practice that led Martin Luther, professor of biblical studies and Augustine monk, initially to seek reform within the Church.
Is the Catholic Church Masonic?
No, the Catholic Church is not Masonic. In fact, Catholics are not suppose to become Masons.
What religion was Nicolas Copernicus?
Nicolas Copernicus was roman catholic......even though he didnt believe in everything the church said due to the fact that the catholic church at that time was very corrupt
Who started the Reformation and why?
Martin Luther, a German monk because he felt the Catholic church was very corrupt.
When did Kate Middleton become Catholic?
Kate Middleton is not Catholic. She is a member of the Anglican Church (The Church of England).
