period the Pope assumed unprecedented political and spiritual power over the
Christian States of Europe. This sowed the seeds of
the abuse of
authority by papal administrations in later years.
architect of this was Pope Innocent III (1198 - 1216). He was an energetic man
who believed in drastic action. He excommunicated
King John of England for meddling with church property. He also excommunicated
the Holy Roman Emperor Otto IV in Germany for disobeying his
Pope Innocent eliminated the Manichean
heretics in the Papal States and then turned his eyes towards France where the
Albigenses were growing in numbers and strength. Innocent called for a crusade
against them in 1208 and sent Simon of Montfort to lead a campaign to eliminate
the Albigenses heresy and restore Southern France to Catholic control. This
lead to the formal legitimization of
in 1233 for use against suspected heresy in Europe.
Innocent III called the Fourth Lateran Council, one of the most
important events in Church history, with 71 statements of doctrine ratified.
For the first time in church history, yearly confession was required of all
Christians, and transubstantiation became an official part of Catholic
doctrine. The Council passed a series of controversial laws, such as requiring
Jews to wear distinguishing clothing and forbidding them from holding political
office over Christians.