Pope Gregory The Vll – A Mover And Shaker In The Catholic Church

Introduction

Gregory was a mover and shaker in the catholic church and fundamentally altered the power of the pope and made colossal changes with his reformations, fixing the main problems of the Catholic Church.

Early Life

Gregory the Vll was born as Hildebrand in c.1025 in southern Tuscany to an upper-middle-class family with connections to Rome. Hildebrand was educated in the church at San Giovanni A Porta Latina. He entered church service as a chaplain for archpriest John Gratian who would later become future Pope Gregory VI. However, his reign as pope would be short-lived as he would be forced to resign after being accused of simony (paying money to secure his position). Hildebrand accompanied him in his exile to Cologne (now modern-day Germany) where he completed his studies at Cologne’s famous cathedral school. After the passing of Gregory Vl, he accompanies Bruno Toul to Rome who later becomes future pope Leo IX. During this time he may have been a monk but cannot be confirmed as the evidence comes from a singular source, riddled with errors “hagiographic vitae by Paul Bernied”. Bruno Toul now pope; Leo IX he ordains Hildebrand as a subdeacon. Hildebrand recognized Leo as a father figure and Leo gave him the title Cardinal subdeacon that emphasizes his relationship to the Holy See. In c.1058, Hildebrand becomes archdeacon and described by Peter Damien as an “unmovable support of the Apostolic See”.

Hildebrand As Archdeacon

With this new position Hildebrand becomes more powerful and starts his political career and forms relationships with other significant figures. As archdeacon he was a chief participant of the first papal coronation with crown-mitre. This was significant as this symbolized papal claim to sovereignty over church and secular monarchies. That was a result over the forged 8th-century document “donation of Constantine”. As archdeacon, Hildebrand constantly furthered the papal alliance with the Normans of southern Italy. In 1066, Hildebrand supported William the conqueror's invasion of England. During this time he formed armed groups of papal supporter known as the ‘militia of St Peter’. He then sided with the cause of the ‘Patrines’, a faction that fought against simony and clerical marriage. In the same year he also sides with the Hermit Monks of Vallombrosa who accused the bishop of Florence with simony. In April/May of c.1059, he addresses the great Lateran Council, to which he harshly criticises them on the Aachan Rule for Cannons. This Rule allowed Cannons to own private property that conflicted with the teachings of ancient church fathers. Hildebrand argued that cannons should live a life of “Christ apostles” (vita apostalica).

Hildebrand As Pope

Hildebrand rises to papacy and enthroned immediately by Roman citizens and the clergy on April 22, c.1073. His very papacy was largely opposed as the Lateran Council ruled in c.1059 that only cardinal bishops could elect a new pope, while Hildebrand’s election followed ancient rules. Hildebrand takes the name Gregory Vll in honour of Gregory I. As pope he believed his role was to return the church back to its former glory days when the church had strict policies and when the church had more power. Therefore, his first act as pope was cracking down on church policies particularly policies against simony (bishops selling positions within the church) and clerical celibacy (the marriage of priests and therefore sex). Gregory Vll also started a reformation about Papal Primacy. This reformation stated that secular governments were inferior to the pope’s authority, essentially making the pope rule over all. This shook the church as bishops who before could govern their dioceses independently, now lost power as Gregory Vll’s legates (representatives) could intervene in all internal diocesan affairs. Many opposed this ruling and there was strong backlash at this new rule. However, they were powerless as Gregory Vll ruled with an iron fist, declaring all who disobeyed his direct orders was a heretic and subject to punishment that was usually excommunication. This started problems with Henry IV (Holy Emperor of the Roman Emperor) when he disobeyed the pope’s orders and declaring that Gregory VII was a false pope and new one was to be elected, copying his father who deposed of 3 popes. This failed because he didn’t have the support of the people. When Gregory Vll heard news of this he retaliated, excommunicating him and declaring his subjects absolved from oath. Henry now excommunicated met with Gregory Vll at a fortress in the southern alps apologising while barefoot in the snow and wearing nothing but sackcloth. This was the first time a king was deposed and shows how much power the pope now has. This led to reconciliation and being reinstated. However, during the time Henry was deposed, German Nobles set a rival king “Duke Rudolph of Swadia” who was elected anti-king March 15 1077. This set a fight for the rightful ruler of Rome, fought between Henry IV and Duke Rudolph of Swadia. Gregory Vll formally prohibited investiture in November 1078, which was a practice that allowed and emperor or king to appoint a bishop to rule over a diocese. Henry IV opposed this starting the investiture controversy, continuing the practice that led to Gregory excommunicating Henry a second time and formally recognizing Rudolph rightful ruler of the throne in c.1080. Following this Henry IV marches to Rome with an army of German and Italian troops. Rome surrenders when they take over the Eternal city in (1084) and replaces Gregory with anti-pope Clement lll with Henry IV crowned emperor. Gregory was forced to flee to ‘Castol Sant Angelo’ but later flees to ‘Solerno’ where he dies in May 25 c.1085. For his contributions canonized saint in c.1606.

Conclusion

Hildebrand (Gregory IV) did fundamentally alter the church with his reformations. He successfully reasserted the power of the pope, ban simony and clerical celibacy. He helped reform the church and established ideals and fought against corruption within the church.