Medieval Reforms in the Catholic Church:
Three Chief Players
There were monumental medieval reforms in the Catholic church according to
Pope Innocent III, Archbishop Eudes of Rouen and St. Francis of Assisi.
Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III proclaimed that there were two "great dignities" that ruled over
the land, the office of the Pope and the kings that presided under the Roman Catholic
church. He compared the "pontifical authority" to that of the Sun in the sky and the
"royal power" to the moon. Being that the sun is predominately more significant in the
course of people's lives (giving life, food and warmth), Pope Innocent III used this
comparison to signify the power of the Roman Catholic church over the king (moon) of
each individual land.
Pope Innocent III
Archbishop Eudes of Rouen
Archbishop Eudes of Rouen was a meticulous bishop who visited many
monasteries to check on the monks that lived there. He wrote in a register regarding
what he saw on his visits. Archbishop Eudes of Rouen made a point to instill his beliefs
of how the monks should live. Self sacrifice was of the upmost importance to
Archbishop Eudes of Rouen. He led by example, how the Catholic church was going to
start to reform itself over time.
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi was a Franciscan (an orthodox order later recognized by the
papacy) who decided to live a life of obedience to the church, poverty and chastity. He
also spoke of the importance of kindness by stating, "I counsel, warm, and exhort my
brothers in the Lord Jesus Christ that when they go out into the world they shall not be
quarrelsome or contentious, nor judge others. But they shall be gentle, peaceable, and
kind, mild and humble, and virtuous in speech." St. Francis also spoke out against
gluttony and materialism. As far as St. Francis was concerned, only God is important.
These three figures changed the path of Catholicism by creating a significant
difference in the authority of the church over the kings, keeping records that held high
expectations of the clergy, and by not only leading by example, but expanding upon the
many temptations and expelling what they believed to be evil from the church.
Written by Ryan Jacobs (September 17th, 2012)