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Judging from these examples, it is entirely possible that the Popes could have set the example from the top and been more trusting of the average people, bringing them into the fold of their own accord, without arm twisting, coercion and threats. An idealistic view this may be, but it is also a viable one given the available literature on this period of history.
More Desirable Course of Action
Having taken a look at what was realistically possible for the Catholic Church from 1100 to 1500, it is now possible to propose a more desirable course of action for the Catholic Church prior to the protestant movement which brought the power of the church as an absolute to an end. To begin, the installation of a Pope, or any ultimate figurehead with so much power vested in them seems to be a poor idea- citing the old adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely. A better means of ruling the church on the highest levels would have been through more democratic means, such as a sort of ecclesiastical congress, which would have been made up of educated individuals who could fairly form church policy and lead the church without the ability, or temptation, to lead the like any sort of king. With this sort of controlling body in place, there are several other pivotal courses of action that the Catholic Church could have taken.
Concerning the involvement of the Catholic church in politics and military matters, perhaps it is more appropriate to say that there are courses of actions which should not have been taken- the church had no place in waging war, assembling armies, or controlling land. nor, should the church have been involved in the assessment and collection of taxes. True, churches need property and funds to exist, but modest properties and the dues of the members would have been more appropriate in retrospect than the aggressive collection of huge taxes from poor individuals, seizing of land from rightful owners, and acting more like a...
From the beginning, the priesthood could have easily been open to men and women who were not necessarily celibate, but of high moral fiber in matters of sexuality, and not sexual predators or deviants. This is not to say that today's Catholic church would be totally cleansed of sexual misconduct, but this action could have gone a long way to avoid the proliferation of 21st century scandal that has rocked the church once again to its core and launched a new generation of protest.
Conclusion
This research has shown the classic struggle for human freedom, the pitfalls of greed, and the fact that there is always a brighter tomorrow if one can take the time to find it. Sadly, the fact that those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it has been proven once again as well. Whatever the case, in closing, something else is abundantly clear- history is an ever changing force that can teach about the past, and influence the future.
Bibliography
Ditchfield, S. (2007, April). The Roman Catholic Church: An Illustrated History. History Today, 57, 65.
Fredericks, J. (2003). The Catholic Church and the Other Religious Paths: Rejecting Nothing That Is True and Holy. Theological Studies, 64(2), 225+.
Jourdan, G.V. (1914). The Movement towards Catholic Reform in the Early XVI Century. London: John Murray.
Luther, M. (1885). First Principles of the Reformation: Or the Ninety-Five Theses and the Three Primary Works of Dr. Martin Luther (H. Wage & C.A. Buchheim, Ed.). Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society.
Mullett, M. (2000). Counter -- Reformation and Catholic Reformation Revisited. 21.
Stanwood, P. (2005). John Donne and the Protestant Reformation: New Perspectives. Christianity…
Bibliography
Ditchfield, S. (2007, April). The Roman Catholic Church: An Illustrated History. History Today, 57, 65.
Fredericks, J. (2003). The Catholic Church and the Other Religious Paths: Rejecting Nothing That Is True and Holy. Theological Studies, 64(2), 225+.
Jourdan, G.V. (1914). The Movement towards Catholic Reform in the Early XVI Century. London: John Murray.
Luther, M. (1885). First Principles of the Reformation: Or the Ninety-Five Theses and the Three Primary Works of Dr. Martin Luther (H. Wage & C.A. Buchheim, Ed.). Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society.
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