Part of the power of the Catholic clergy came from their authority to hear confessions and forgive sins. Martin Luther, a monk teaching at the University of Wittenberg in Saxony, said that he "hated this God who punished sinners", and turned to The Bible which he re-interpreted to say that man's salvation was not by acts of penance and repentance, but by faith alone. He argued that all Christians are priests and attacked the withholding of the Sacrament from the laity.
Protestantism began with limits on the power of its clergy, and the Roman Catholic Church had, to some extent, to follow suit.
The clergy attended to preaching, teaching, and caring for the sick. The clergy upheld the doctrines of the Catholic Church and gave stability to the society.
Opposition to Enlightenment reforms came from various groups, including the clergy, monarchs, and aristocracy. They viewed independent thinking as a threat to their authority and believed that traditional institutions and beliefs should be maintained. They were concerned that Enlightenment ideas could undermine the existing power structures and social order.
Oluf Kolsrud has written: 'Presteutdaningi i Noreg' -- subject(s): Clergy, History, Study and teaching, Theology
Mark Hodge has written: 'Patterns of ministerial trainingin the theological colleges and courses' -- subject(s): Training of, Study and teaching, Church of England, Clergy, Protestant theological seminaries, Theology 'Non-stipendiary ministry in the Church of England' -- subject(s): Church of England, Clergy, Clergy, Part-time
Clergy in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), both men and women, use the official title of "The Reverend [1st Name Last Name.]" Clergy are also called "teaching elders, " and many choose to use the title "Pastor."
It depends on what you mean by "work". By and large, clergy have not engaged in traditional labor, especially prior to the Enlightenment, when they lived on the sacrifices and tithes given to them by the congregations of the faithful and secular rulers. If you have a specific time and/or religion and/or region in mind, please resubmit the question specifying these factors.
Catholic AnswerThe secular clergy are all those clergy who are under a diocesian Bishop instead of a religious Order (the later being religious clergy). The diocesian clergy primarily have as their duties whatever their bishop assigns them. In most cases, this is being a priest serving in a parish, although there are, of course, secular clergy, serving in diocesian offices, teaching in schools, and any other job that their Bishop might have for them.from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980Secular clergy. Clergy who are engaged for the most part in pastoral work and who are not members of a religious institute. They are not bound by a vow of poverty or community life. But their celibacy, in the Latin Church, is under solemn oath and they promise obedience to a bishop as their immediate superior under the Pope.
Jerry C. Grubbs has written: 'Continuing education' -- subject(s): Clergy, Post-ordination training, Study and teaching (Continuing education), Theology
Clergy is a minister. Google him to find out!
The two types of clergy were regular clergy and secular clergy. Regular clergy were those who were in monastic orders, and so were regulated by the rules of those orders; they included monks and abbots. Secular clergy were those who served the secular population; they were deacons, priests, and bishops serving the secular people, or people who were not clergy.
The clergy at the church led the congregation in a prayer service.
Life for the clergy historically varied depending on their denomination and location, but it often involved a commitment to spiritual duties and community service. Clergy members typically lived a life of modesty, focusing on preaching, teaching, and providing pastoral care. They often faced challenges such as financial instability, especially in poorer parishes, but many found fulfillment in their roles as spiritual leaders and moral guides within their communities. In some cases, clergy enjoyed certain privileges and social status, particularly in more affluent or influential congregations.