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BRIEF HISTORY
OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH




 

THE TENTH CENTURY

The 10th century Catholic Church was characterized by weak Popes and bishops who were controlled by secular heads of states and clergymen who were illiterate in spiritual matters and unfaithful to their vows, and by religious orders that abandoned their original spirit and had become worldly and corrupt. 

Amidst such a dismal picture that would repeat itself all through the centuries, monasticism would always rise up to the challenge and renew the church.  Thus, in the 10th century, two monks, Methodius and Cyril guaranteed God's presence in the church by an unbelievably successful missionary work among Khazars and Slavic people of Eastern Europe. 

The reform was further pushed by the Benedictine monastery of Cluny, where monks spent all their time praying and observed absolute silence.  By their austere way of life, they helped renew other orders and monasteries.  Cluny produced many holy monks who later on were chosen to be bishops. The great Popes Gregory II, Urban II and Paschal II were originally monks of the Cluniac monasteries.

 

 

 

 

 

(07-25-05)

 

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The Winnowing Fan hopes ..." to do what little it could to solve the evils that beset the church."

                                                                                        - Teresa of Avila

 


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