Course 3, Chapter 33: Christianity preserved and propagated. — St. Bruno, St. William, St. Peter Damian, St. Gregory VII, Eleventh Century

1. AVho reformed the morals of Germany? A. St. Bruno and St. William reformed the morals of Germany. St. Bruno was the brother of the ern-

308 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

peror Otho and archbishop of Mayence. God seconded his efforts, and the love of science and the practice of virtue which prevailed, consoled the church no less than the previous scandal had afflicted her.

2. Who was St. William?

St. William, who aided in reforming the morals of Germany, was abbot of Ilirsaug; he revived piety in this celebrated abbey, and reformed more than a hundred monasteries.

3. Who were the first to reform the clergy?

The sovereign pontiffs were the first to reform the clergy. It was proper that they should be the first, as they were established by our Lord to watch not only over the faithful, but over the pastors also.

4. By whom were they seconded?

They were powerfully seconded by St. Peter Damian. Born at Ravenna in Italy, and during his youth employed as a swineherd, he became afterwards a celebrated professor; but fearing to lose his soul in the world, he retired to a hermit's cell, where he prac tised all the austerities of penance.

5. What did the sovereign pontiffs do?

The sovereign pontiffs called him from his obscurity; he was made bishop and cardinal; he consecrated his whole life to the reform of the clergy, and had the consolation to see his labors crowned with success.

6. What was the principal cause of the scandals of that period?

The principal cause of the scandals of that period was the assumption by princes, irrespective of the ecclesiastical authority, of the right of investiture, that is, the right of nominating to dignities in the I'hurch.

7. Who made head against this abuse?

The great St. Gregory VII, a religious, and ifterwards prior of Cluni. He was during twenty years archdeacon of the Roman church, and employed

in the most important affairs of the holy see. At the ape of sixty he was elected pope, and spent the rest of his life in rescuing the church from the temporal powers, who were dishonoring it by the appointment of ministers unworthy of their holy station. The whole world owes a debt of such profound gratitude to this holy pope, who by saving the church saved society itself, that even Protestants revere his character.