Final answer:
The church used methods such as the Index of Forbidden Books, burning books, and the Inquisition to censor books.
Step-by-step explanation:
The church used various methods to censor books during different periods of history. One common method was the Index of Forbidden Books, which was a list of publications that were considered heretical or immoral and were prohibited from being read by Catholics. The church would review books and determine if they contained content that contradicted or criticized church doctrine. If a book was deemed offensive, it would be included in the Index and Catholics were forbidden from reading it.
Another method of book censorship used by the church was the burning of books. When deemed necessary, books that were considered heretical, blasphemous, or had content that challenged the authority of the church were publicly burned as a way to prevent their circulation and influence on society.
Additionally, the Inquisition played a significant role in censoring books. The Inquisition was a powerful institution established by the church to combat heresy. Its members would actively seek out and confiscate books that were deemed to contain heretical ideas or teachings.