What was the the structure of the church in the middle ages?

Answer 1

The medieval church was organised in many different ways. The head of the church was the pope who was the big boss. Next was the arch bishops and then the bishops. Lastly was the priests who did most of the jobs. The church did many things which were put under categories.

• Religious Duties- hear confessions, marriage, christenings etc, send people to heaven
• Charity Work- look after old and sick, gave shelter, food and clothes
• Social and Entertainment events- organised party's and holy day celebrations
• Practical responsibilities- keeping the church in a good condition

Answer 2

The head of the Church in Western Europe was the Pope, who had many cardinals and a staff to assist him.

Below this level the Church was split into two sections: lay or secular clergy (who served the population) and monastic or regular clergy (who lived apart from society under a common Rule).

The secular clergy were headed by archbishops (there were two in England, at York and Canterbury), below them numerous bishops each with their own see or jurisdiction, based at a cathedral. Each bishop was in charge of many parish priests, chaplains, archdeacons, deacons, subdeacons, exorcists, acolytes, lectors and porters.

In the regular clergy, each monastery was headed by either an abbot (for an abbey) or a prior (for a priory); abbots had priors and sub-priors below them. In theory all monks were at exactly the same level, but there was a strict order of seniority and certain monks were given responsibilities, such as the porter, sacrist, infirmarer, treasurer, cellarer, deans, master of the young boys and so on. At the very bottom were the hierarchy were novices and pupils at Church schools.

Every one of these people should have their head shaved in the Roman tonsure to indicate their status as a cleric.

The picture is clouded by the existence of canons, who were secular priests living together under a Rule, much like regular monks.

Answer 3

Many of the old churches remain and look very like they did in those days. In the West, people who are accustomed to ordinary churches would recognize them easily. In the East, the churches tended to look more like the older mosques we see.

Answer 4

Pope- the pope was the spiritual and political leader of the church

Cardinals- helped the pope run the church.

Bishops- ran dioceses, areas with several churches

Priests- ran individual churches and administered the sacraments- including communion, matrimony, and baptism most Catholics

Monks and nuns- lived in isolated communities. they learned to read Latin, grew their own food, and copied and translated religious text.

Answer 5

The Catholic Church was the only church in the Middle Ages and the pope ruled the church and monarchies of Europe.