Who governed the monasteries in the middle ages?

Answer 1

At the head of secular clergy of the Roman Church was the Pope, (the Eastern Orthodox Church was headed by the Patriarch of Constantinople).

The cardinals were archbishops who were additionally empowered to elect a pope when one was needed.

The archbishops were lords over lesser bishops.

The bishops were lords over parish priests. In addition to the duties of the priests, they had the power to ordain priests and confirm believers.

The Priests were lower, they had the power to baptize, perform marriages and funerals, and say Mass.

Deacons were allowed to perform such sacraments as baptism, but not Mass.

In addition to the secular clergy, who ministered to the secular people, there were regular clergy, subject to the regulations of monastic organizations, which were ruled by Grand Masters, and Abbots, below whom were monks and novices.

Answer 2

The Church was divided into monastic and non-monastic (secular clergy) hierarchies.

In monasteries the senior officials were abbots and priors, with sub-priors below them; ordinary monks were often appointed into positions of responsibility such as sacrist, cellarer, almoner, doorkeeper, infirmarer, hospitaller and many others. In nunneries the equivalents were abbess, prioress, porteress and so on.

In the non-monastic Church the lowest grade of secular clergy was church doorkeeper (porter). then there were clerks in minor orders including pupils at church schools and universities, acolytes (assistants to the priest), lectors and others. Clerks in major orders were subdeacons, deacons, priests, chaplains, archdeacons, bishops, archbishops, cardinals and the Pope.

Answer 3

the church was in charge of everything. it was like a government. people even paid the church to be forgiven of their sins. if you missed church more than a few times you would have to pay a fee or be killed.

Answer 4

The Pope, as today, was the head of the Catholic church and the Catholic church was the only religion in Europe. Below him were the priests, nuns, and monks. The priest ran one church and one church only, he also blessed people and trained other men to become priests. The priest kept most of the income from his church and couldn't marry. Serfs could never become a priest. Many young people became a nun or a priest because they had no education and before a person could become a monk he had to shave his head to become totally bald. This is called a tonsure and is still done today.