53
The document was later proven to be a forgery but it was never actually necessary in the argument for papal primacy and authority . Sacred Scripture and Tradition were evidence enough for Gregory VII to validate his role and responsibility .
Resistance to the mission of reform was countered with condemnation . The pope waged a campaign of letter writing and used the legate system in order to clearly express to bishops and nobles that reform was non-negotiable . In addition , bishops were summoned to Rome for progress reports and in some cases were reprimanded for failure to honor their obligation to put reform measures into action . If the king was unwilling to assist , then the pope would rely upon the faithful within the aristocracy as allies instead . 115
Gregory could not accept silence as an option . When questioned by the high priest concerning their teaching in the temple after being instructed not to do so , “ Peter and the apostles answered , ‘ We must obey God rather than men ’”[ Acts 5:29 ]. Nothing had changed so many centuries later . Gregory VII , the episcopate and all of the clergy answered to their divine ruler , not an earthly one .
114 Miller , 8-9 . 115 Cushing , 100 .