Answer:
The correct answer is option d. the Church maintained its authority.
Explanation:
Some of the ways in which the church maintained its authority was through punishments such as Excommunication and Interdict.
In excommunication, excommunicators are obliged to attend Mass but they are denied certain benefits as a form of punishment, for example receiving the Holy Eucharist. They are also forbidden to be part of the church in a position of authority and denied a Catholic burial.
Interdict is a type of punishment that only lasts for a while and can be given to many people or only one, where punished people cannot receive the sacraments. But unlike the previous case, it is not so severe and the person may repent and may also hold positions in the church.
