What is meant by the term Gregorian Reforms?

Answer 1

Gregorian Reforms is the term given to the reform of the Catholic Church because of the efforts of its most important figure, Pope Gregory VII (reigned 1075-1085), although the program was launched by Gregory's predecessors during the 11th Century.

The attempts at real, lasting reforms began with Pope St. Leo IX (reigned 1049-1054), and were continued by Pope Nicholas II (reigned 1059-1061). Among the major issues confronting the Church at the time were the practice of simony, the buying and selling of Church offices and benefices; the lack of clerical discipline, especially the neglect of clerical celibacy; and the increasingly severe situation of lay investiture in Church offices by the efforts of secular authority. At the Synod of 1059, Nicholas II declared Church freedom in papal elections which was an important step in ecclesiastical independence.

The prominent reformer in the effort was Hildebrand, Pope Gregory VII. He instituted ecclesiastical changes, reforms in canon law, and remained adamant

in opposing lay investiture. Pope Gregory's reforms were strongly opposed by Henry IV, sparking a bitter confrontation between a pope and a secular ruler. Pope Gregory died in exile, but he was most important in securing the independence of the Church in its administeration from secular interference.