評論
打印
In the year 1059 this had been changed. By a decree of Pope Nicholas II the principal priests and deacons of the churches in and around Rome were organised into the so-called College of Cardinals, and this gathering of prominent churchmen (the word "Cardinal" meant principal) was given the exclusive power of electing the future Popes.
不過到公元1059年，情況發生了變化。根據教皇尼古拉二世的命令，成立了一個由羅馬附近教區的主教及執事所組成的紅衣主教團。這群地位顯赫的教會頭目被賦予了選舉未來教皇的絕對權力。
In the year 1073 the College of Cardinals elected a priest by the name of Hildebrand, the son of very simple parents in Tuscany, as Pope, and he took the name of Gregory VII. His energy was unbounded. His belief in the supreme powers of his Holy Office was built upon a granite rock of conviction and courage. In the mind of Gregory, the Pope was not only the absolute head of the Christian church, but also the highest Court of Appeal in all worldly matters. The Pope who had elevated simple German princes to the dignity of Emperor could depose them at will. He could veto any law passed by duke or king or emperor, but whosoever should question a papal decree, let him beware, for the punishment would be swift and merciless.
公元1073年，紅衣主教團 選出了新教皇格利高里七世。此人原名希爾布蘭德，出生于托斯卡納地區的一個極普通人家。他具有超乎常人的野心和旺盛的精力。格利高里深信，教皇的超然權力應該是建立在花崗石般堅固的信念和勇氣之上的。在他看來，教皇不僅是基督教會的絕對首腦，而且還應是所有世俗事務的最高上訴法官。教皇既然可以將普通的日爾曼王公提升到皇帝的高位，享有他們從未夢想過的尊嚴，他當然也有權隨意廢黜他們。他可以否決任何一項由某位大公、國王或皇帝制定的法律，可要是有誰膽敢質間某項教皇宣布的敕令，那他可得當心了，因為隨之而來的懲罰將是迅速而毫不留情的。
Gregory sent ambassadors to all the European courts to inform the potentates of Europe of his new laws and asked them to take due notice of their contents. William the Conqueror promised to be good, but Henry IV, who since the age of six had been fighting with his subjects, had no intention of submitting to the Papal will. He called together a college of German bishops, accused Gregory of every crime under the sun and then had him deposed by the council of Worms.
格利高里派遣大使到歐洲所有的宮廷，向君主們通告他頒布的新法令，并要求他們適當注意其內容。征服者威廉答應好好聽話。但從6歲開始便常與臣屬打架斗毆的亨利四世是個天生反叛的家伙，他根本不打算屈從于教皇的意志。亨利召集了一個德國教區的主教會議，指控格利高里犯下了日光之下的一切罪行，最后以沃爾姆斯宗教會議的名義廢黜了教皇。
