When did the Catholic church lose most of its political power?

Question

I posted this in "religion" and got a bunch of opinions as answers. I'm looking for an actual date in history for when the Catholic church stopped having the power to wage wars across continents (with the Muslims for example - and others). And when did it stop having the ability to make laws that European nations abided by? Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

When the Henry the 8th split from Rome and had the Anglican church formed...or July 4th, 1776 when the US was born.

Answer 2

You can probably point at when the Church split, and operated a second "Rome" in Constantinople. Thus, there were two Churches with two Popes, so each one had limited power since you had to choose sides.

Answer 3

probably for the u.k during the civil war, but for the whole of europe it would be mid 1900's

Answer 4

The church's height of temporal power was during the reign of Pope Innocent III in 1198.  After his death in 1216, you will find a gradual decline in the papacy's power.  The popes of  the Renaissance 1420 - 1521, Alexander VI,  Sixtus IV, Julius II, and Leo X was Rome's golden age of art, culture, and influence.  They were still effectively able to wage wars, but not as they did in the late 12th and early 13th century.  I cannot find any other mention of the Church's ability to wage wars after the Council of Trent from 1545 - 1563.  

Answer 5

If you would like more answers, consider asking around this site as well...

http://christianforums.com/forumdisplay....