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How the Catholic Church frightened its followers in the Middle Ages

From depictions of hell to public penance and miraculous relics

How the Catholic Church frightened its followers in the Middle Ages
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StarsInsider
20/07/2026 11:00 ‧ 1 day ago | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE

Religion

The vast majority of people during the Middle Ages couldn't read, so the Catholic Church had to rely on other sources of storytelling to communicate its doctrine.

The clergy would use sermons to address parishioners, but they would also rely on paintings, architecture, and ceremonies to teach and enforce religious beliefs.

From depictions of hell to public penance and miraculous relics, the medieval Church used a wide range of tools to get to European Christians, and made sure they'd be scared enough to obey. Click through to find out how they did it.

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