What term refers to the practice of appointing bishops, which caused conflict with secular rulers?

What term refers to the practice of appointing bishops, which caused conflict with secular rulers?

• A. Nepotism
• B. Simony
• C. Investiture
• D. Canon Law

Answer: (C)

Investiture describes the ceremony and practice of appointing bishops and granting them symbols of spiritual authority. This arrangement became a flashpoint with secular rulers who wanted to influence or control who held high church offices to extend their political power. The struggle over who could install bishops—the church hierarchy or monarchs—drove the Investiture Controversy in medieval Europe and contributed to efforts to separate church and state authority. Other terms describe different ideas: nepotism is favoring relatives, simony is buying or selling church offices, and canon law is the body of church law.

Investiture describes the ceremony and practice of appointing bishops and granting them symbols of spiritual authority. This arrangement became a flashpoint with secular rulers who wanted to influence or control who held high church offices to extend their political power. The struggle over who could install bishops—the church hierarchy or monarchs—drove the Investiture Controversy in medieval Europe and contributed to efforts to separate church and state authority. Other terms describe different ideas: nepotism is favoring relatives, simony is buying or selling church offices, and canon law is the body of church law.