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dignitaries with ring and crozier -
the symbols of ecclesiastical power.
By 1075, the investiture struggle
breaks out in all its fury.
The spirit of Cluny also demands
complete liberation of the Churcb
from imperial and secular ín–
fiuences. Gregory stríves to reduce
the imperial dignity to a position of
vassalage. This life and death
struggle between papacy and Ger–
man imperial power focuses on lay
investiture. To give up investiture
means the emperor must dívest
himself of his ecclesiastical vassals,
the keystone of bis power.
Though the Lombards in nortb-
34
ero Italy and the Norman conquer–
ors
in
southem Italy are powerful
supporters of the papacy, the
struggle for supremacy between em–
peror and pope will continue for 200
years.
It
will result
in
total destruc–
tion of empire and make a sbambles
of the papacy. Duríng the chaotic
decades of struggle, there will be
division and disruption. Kings will
be excommunicated; popes will be
deposed. Both Henry IV and Greg–
ory VII, the principal cbaracters in
the first round of the fight, will die
broken men.
Year 1122: The Concordat of
Worms.
The struggle continues.
Emperor Henry V (1106-1125) has
a lready marched on Rome, impris–
oning Pope Paschal JI . Paschal is
forced to crown Henry emperor.
Paschal, on pain ofretaliation, is not
to
excommunicate the new emperor
once he leaves Rome.
On the other hand, Henry is will–
ing to "cooperate." If the Church
is
truly so eager to be purely spiritual
and freed from all worldly and ma–
terial burdens, Henry is willing to
oblige. He will renounce the invest–
iture of bishops. But the papacy
must pay a return price.
lt
must re–
nounce the imperial Jands it has
held
in
fief ever since the days of
PLAIN TRUTH
Januery
1974