The Roman Empire has fallen. Western Europe is in a period of chaos. There is hope; the Roman Catholic Church. During the Roman Empire, thanks primarily to the Pax Romana, Christianity was able to spread throughout the Roman Empire. Eventually, Christianity would gain the status of the official religion of the Empire. When Rome fell, the church would remain and be a force in the coming Medieval Age. The church would be a stabilizing force, have influence in international politics, and internal affairs of kingdoms, create a sense of unity among the people, provide order & justice, and affect everyday life during the Medieval Age.

The Church was a stabilizing force after the fall of Rome. Nearly every community or town had a church. Larger towns would build cathedrals to display their wealth and importance. Church leaders would provide for the needs of the people in their area. “In Rome, the Popes largely ran the city, organizing the collection and distribution of food and other essentials. The Church’s hierarchy of leadership provided a sense of order and an example of an organization that medieval society would emulate with feudalism.

By providing stability during a chaotic time of barbarian raids and uncertainty, the church gained much political power. The Pope became the most influential and important person on the continent of Europe. Kings would pay taxes, give land, ask for a judgment in disputes, and bow to the Pope. The Church was the largest landholder during the Medieval Age. Pope Gregory the Great appointed governors to run Italian cities, negotiated peace with the Lombards, a Germanic tribe in the north of Italy, sent missionaries to pagan areas to establish the presence of the church, and established the papacy as a supreme authority. The Church was so important during the Medieval Age that people saw the church as the source of explanation for all world events.

“The Roman Catholic Church was the only Europe-wide social structure remaining after the fall of the Roman Empire. Churches had become the central sources of justice, security, and wealth in each community. The Church had its own laws, called canon law, and courts. Sometimes the Church worked in collaboration with secular courts; other times the Church claimed authority over secular matters. In the community, the Church ruled the daily life of individuals as well as their life cycle. An individual’s life did not begin at birth; it began at baptism, which was done as an infant. Because the local priest, monk, or church official usually was the most learned individual in the area, the Church kept all official documents such as baptism, marriage, and funeral rights. The pace of daily life was kept around the Church as well. The church bells kept time and alerted townsfolk to danger. There were daily prayer services and masses to attend as well. The Church was the center of life both literally and figuratively, as churches were built in the city center.

During the Medieval Age, the Roman Catholic Church was the stabilizing force for what was once the Roman Empire and in the daily lives of the people. The Church provided a sense of unity, a common belief and goal, and salvation through Jesus Christ. All threats the Church faced, such as other religions or kingdoms, were met with force and determination. The Church provided the daily rhythm of life, security, and order.