The Catholic Church dominated in Europe for several centuries through a complex political and social system that was based in the religious belief that the Church was a divine institutionabove every earthly power. The Church worked as a network of churches disseminated across the continent, where the local priests took the confession of the people, from commoners to feudal lords. Hence, the Church knew most of the secrets and feelings of every level of the society, knowledge they used to exercise control. Also, since the Pope was seen as the highest spiritual authority, he named bishops that influenced directly on the kings and princes of the different kingdoms of Europe. Other methods the Church used to control the population was fear of hell, shame, and guiltiness. These feelings were spread through the use of institutionalized torture and persecution of heretics (people who didn't agree with the Chruch), like the Holy Inquisition.
