The Review On Gregory â…¦ And His Church Reform Thoughts

Gregory Ⅶ, a radical Church reformer, was one of the most famous pope in the medieval history. Under the guidance of his religious outlook, he carried out the church reform to pursue the freedom and the supremacy of the Church, which is an important turning point in the medieval church and the Papacy. Gregory Ⅶ has thus become a more controversial pope. The thesis consists of five parts. The exordium mainly talks about the significance of the topic on Gregory Ⅶ and his reform thoughts; gives a short overview of the academic research dynamics on it; introduce the adopted documentary materials. The first chapter describes the problems existed in the church and the cluniac reform to present the historical background before Gregory Ⅶ. The second chapter discusses the illustrious and tragic life of pope Gregory Ⅶ. The third chapter focuses on the Gregory Ⅶ’s thoughts of the church reforms, including opposing the Simony, cleric marriage and lay investiture; advocating free elections, and the freedom of the Church; views of papal authority and requirements of all Christians. The conclusion aims to make an objective evaluation on Gregory Ⅶ and his thoughts by summarizing the motivation, the result of the reform and the effect of his reform thoughts.