Final answer:
The church initially attributed the Black Death to God's wrath and encouraged repentance. However, as the death toll rose, some religious leaders blamed specific groups, leading to persecution. This crisis shattered people's faith in the church and led to religious dissent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Church's Reaction to the Black Death
The church had various reactions to the Black Death, which was a devastating bubonic plague that spread across Europe in the 14th century. Initially, the church's response was to attribute the plague to God's wrath and encourage its followers to repent and seek forgiveness. The church conducted processions, vigils, and masses to pray for deliverance from the plague.
However, as the death toll rose and the church itself was affected by the loss of clergy and declining authority, the response shifted. Some religious leaders turned to more extreme measures, such as blaming specific groups like Jews or beggars for the outbreak. This led to increased persecution and violence against these targeted communities.
Impact on the View of the Church
The Black Death shattered people's faith in the church as they witnessed the clergy struggling to provide answers or protection against the disease. The failures of the church during this crisis caused some to question the validity of its teachings and authority. The widespread devastation and loss of life also led to a rise in religious dissent and new religious movements that challenged the dominance of the Catholic Church.
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