Final answer:
Catholic clergy were important in medieval European governance by keeping records, advising rulers, and legitimizing monarchs. They did not raise armies nor organize political parties, but they influenced politics through their education and ecclesiastical roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that BEST describes how Catholic clergy took part in European government during the Middle Ages is: They kept records and assisted rulers in political positions. The clergy, including bishops and monks, often served as administrators and advisors to monarchs and feudal lords. They utilized their literacy and education to manage and record political and economic affairs, which included keeping records, writing correspondence, and advising on governance. As intellectual authorities, they also played roles in legitimizing the rule of monarchs and Christianizing populations. While the Church exerted influence on politics by advising rulers and occasionally clashing with secular authority, it did not organize political parties to win elections or directly raise armies.
In the context of the role bishops played in Roman governance, they participated in ecumenical councils and dominated local politics. Politically, the Church was essential to legitimizing the power of various rulers, while also bolstering support for large-scale crusades and managing the tension between religious and secular interests.