Which was the Catholic Church’s most powerful tool in maintaining its authority in medieval Europe

Its missionary work

Its monasteries and convents

It’s control over the sacraments

It’s hospitals and schools

1 answer

The Catholic Church’s most powerful tool in maintaining its authority in medieval Europe was its control over the sacraments. The Church claimed to hold the keys to salvation and acted as the mediator between God and the people. By controlling access to the sacraments, such as baptism, marriage, and the Eucharist, the Church had significant influence over the spiritual lives of individuals. This gave the Church immense power and ensured its authority.