The Rise of the PapacyAfter 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