How did the papacy become the center of power in Rome.Discuss

The Rise of the Papacy

After the Roman Empire collapse there was a huge void in the leadership in Western Europe. The Bishop of Rome power grew in influence both politically and spiritually. In this paper we will cover how the papacy in Rome became the center of power and why was it so. We will also attempt to explain why the papacy was dominant in Western Europe until the Reformation. We will also summarizing the positive and negative ramifications of this reality.
How did the papacy become the center of power in Rome
Under the empire, local administrations have been entrusted to manage changes at the center of power. But during the decline of the empire local authority was not able to cope with the conflicts resulted from invasion from barbarians in the destruction of the government. The authority of the local bishop was put in a position to take the place of secular government, in part because the church attracted qualified able men than the Roman provincial government. The best men were working for the church, not for the state. Momigliano has stated “much to be said about the internal conflict, the Worldly ambitions, the intolerance of the church.” “Yet the conclusion we made that while the political organization of the empire became increasingly unimaginative and unsuccessful, the church was mobile and resilient and provide a space for those whom the state was unable to absorbed.” The bishop was also in the position to be the head leadership of an large voluntary organization. Through the church the bishops was able to be charitable to the masses by distributing goods to the poor. They defended their flock against invaders where the Roman government could no longer do. When the military situation of the entire region grew worse, they often organized armed resistance against the barbarians. People sought to escaped into the church from the state and were willing to give their best to the church.
Why did the papacy become the central power in Rome
There is very little record of the papal history in the first 3 ½ centuries. However the pope is considered the successor of Peter and victor of Christ. And from the sixth century the name increasingly became reserve for the Bishop of Rome. Because the papacy represent an office divinely instituted by Christ in his charge to Peter in Matthew 16:18 through 19 and because Peter minister and die in Rome, Rome became a center of power for the church.
The church at Rome enjoyed a certain prominence because of its apostolic foundation and political setting. This positioning inspires the bishop to exercise greater influence over the other bishops in other regions. In the beginning scholars have suggested that there was a “collegiate episcopacy” of bishops who united to oversee the church. What jettison the upsurge of the pope authority were the massive German invasions. The church in the west was the guardian of the remnants of the old Roman Empire by keeping civil order and a justice system in operation.

Why was the papacy so dominant in Western Europe into the reformation?
There were great leaders that were produced because of the decline of the Roman Empire that oversaw the church in the west. Scholar William W. Sweet stated, “It is also interesting to note that the government of the church was modeled after that of the Roman Empire, and the idea of universal dominion which prevailed, in the Roman Empire, was taken over by the church. Of course this transfer of power from the empire to the church was a long and gradual process.” The dominance of the pope in the west tied directly to the men that gain control and influence. Tertillian, Cyprian, Augustine and Leo “the Great” are a few. Leo the Great was the first pope in the modern sense and try to flex his power by intervening with controversies that took place mostly in the east. Many people saw this as over stepping his boundaries. Leo had great challenges with invading Huns and rose to the occasion to negotiate with them. According to legend Attila saw St. Peter and Paul marching with the pope as he came out to meet him. Whatever happened Attila did not attack Rome and it was a win for Leo. Also in 455 He led a successful negotiation with the Vandal leader, which kept the city from being burned down. It was because of these outstanding victories that Leo the Great authority in the city of Rome increased. After Leo’s death there was a succession of popes will which helped guide the church as the situation in Rome became serious. There was increasing chaos with the revival of the Byzantine Empire and the need for a strong leader were desperately needed to come forward. That one strong leader was Pope Gregory. Even though Gregory did not want the position at first he eventually became the Bishop of Rome. And since nobody really wanted to do the job he attacked his office with great passion and ability. Eventually he was called Gregory “the Great” and his writings were very influential throughout the middle ages. After Gregory’s death his successors proved to be ineffective and the papacy fell on evil days. Eventually as the Byzantine power begin to weaken in the west an alliance was formed between the Franks and the Pope. This was done for several reasons; if you wanted to be pope you have to be confirmed by authorities in Constantinople, which did not sit well with the candidates. Furthermore the pope and bishops were looking for protection and support. The circumstances would eventually lead to a dramatic event when Pope Leo III crown Charlemagne emperor of the west on Christmas day, 800 CE. By this political move the ancient Roman Empire was revived under the sponsorship of the church. Charlemagne, who was a fantastic leader, felt he was called to rule his people both in civil and ecclesiastical matters. His idealism made him make remarkable advances not only in the pope power but the church until the reformation era. Sear say, “Here we find in these potentates the two pivots on which turned the policy of European cabinets for centuries. Though rivals, they were mutually dependent on each other. Neither could exist alone. They were, to use the favorite metaphor of that age, the two great lights of heaven; only it was undetermined which was to rule by day and which by night”
What was the positive of the dominance of the pope
There was definitely positive attribute that came with the dominance of the papacy. What is that the influence of the Christian church in the middle ages brought increase learning better civilization and the preservation of ancient biblical text. In fact one of my professor said that at one time the Catholic Church was the only game in town. The medieval church as an institution, was the greatest enlightening power coupled with its teachings of that influential era The ministry of the pope guarantees the faithfulness of the Church to Gospel that Jesus entrusted to Peter and the Apostles. Because of the dominance of the pope many things could be put into play to advance the kingdom of God. For instance when there was a strong pope leader manuscripts was copy, people was baptized and educational centers flourish. For instance under the papacy of Leo IX Great reforms could be done, like the eradication of simony. A strong pope could also help defend the aggressive attacks of the Gnostics and offer stability against heretics. The bishops of Rome was also expected to be involved in a difficult doctrine decisions and to have strong orthodoxy leadership
What was the negative of the dominance of the pope,
As the dominance of the pope grew, a negative side to the office also begin to overshadow the papacy. Many times the bishops and archbishops was no better than the nobleman around them. Depravity abounded and there times when the “Truce of God” was broken by the bishops themselves. The monks got into this fray and their actions corresponded with the disobedient bishops. Corruptions crept in, as they always do when men have unlimited power or a great deal of it. Strict reforms were needed at certain junctions during the Middle Ages and it was found necessary to reassert the principles of the Rule of St. Benedict. With an inflow of wealth the popes and monks forgot why they became holy men and soon lost the passion for poverty. With their newfound wealth the men of God forgot their vows of humility and begin to live a life of luxury for the Middle Ages.
Another demonstration of negative papal power was manifested in pre-Reformation England by the conceding of special favors, notably dispensations. Henry viii’s decision to break with Rome in the early 1530s grew out of the Popes dominance and influence. Henry’s motivation was that he needed a divorce from Catherine of Aragon and he had suspicions that the pope would deny him. However the divorce could be justified by the grand principle of royal supremacy over the English Church. Papal jurisdiction got abolish in the important matter of dispensations, undertaken by an act of parliament in 1533-4. Clark stated “Its preamble declared that the pope had ‘usurped’ the power to grant dispensations to the English crown and its subjects, and that this properly belonged to the king and parliament.” So power was given to the Archbishop of Canterbury and inturn strip the pope of his power to issue grants and other licenses. Because of the dominance of the pope measures were put into place so that even Kings themselves would not find themselves under their governance and sway.
Even several centuries after the early church had agonized so much for the Kngdom of God, the church inundated itself into a flood of sin and pride at Rome. Following the fourth century the bishops of Rome stepped into Caesar’s place and got enchanted by the wealth and power. Because of the fall of the Roman Empire, the bishop accepted the title Pontifex Maximus. Which comes from the Latin meaning path maker, thus the leader. The title Pontifex goes far back to when the Romans celebrated two religious colleges. The men who received this title and position had extraordinary power over the official Roman religion. The office was the highest authority in the state for religious purposes. After Julius Caesar, the emperor became Pontifex Maximus. Mal Couch stated “This title during the time of emperor Theodosius Pontifex Maximus became equivalent to Pope. Popes that followed added the blasphemous name of “Holy Father” as their God-given right.” It is noted throughout history Popes through the centuries have never been reluctant to assert their authority.

Conclusion
When the Roman Empire collapsed there was a huge void in the leadership in Western Europe. The empire collapse force the people people in general to noy only look for leadership but also security and protection. These benefits were given to them by the empire and in the vacuum something had to be done. The Bishop of Rome was in the right place and the right time with the right mindset. The papacy in the beginning did not looked to become the center of power but because of most of the religious fathers were learned men and gifted in the administration the task naturally fell on them. I believe this is why the pope was so dominant in Western Europe, the right timing plus education and the already extended network. The collapse of the centralize power was due to the rising of the Protestant movement where the actions of the pope and Catholicism was open to scrutiny and revolt. The dominance of the papacy and Catholicism had a positive effect because it kept the gospel of Jesus Christ alive and in the forefront and was use mighty God for the spreading of his word. I heard one Bible teacher say, “Catholicism was the only game in town. ” The negative effect is that absolute power corrupts absolutely. When men have so much authority and power corruption and abused begins to overtake like a weed. I believe that the office of the pope is part of Gods ultimate plan to save the world. plan. Nothing has taken God by surprise and he has ultimate control over his body of believers. The Bible is very clear that God rules in the kingdoms of men and he gives kingdom authority to whomever he chooses, Daniel 4:2.

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