Digital Continent Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul 2016 | Page 78

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coarse wool. For three days neither side gave way until Gregory at last agreed to hear the
confession of Henry. He was, after all, bound to hear those who seemed sincere and sought
forgiveness. Such forgiveness, however, was conditional.148
The conditions set forth were simple. At a general council of the German princes on a
date to be set by the pope, Gregory was to judge the accusations against Henry. The council
would determine under ecclesiastical law whether or not Henry was still worthy of the royal title
and innocent of the charges against him. Until then, the king was to do without the “trappings”
of royalty and to issue no decrees. Those sworn remained free from their bond of oath.
Whatever the future decision of the council, Henry was still subject to the Roman pontiff and
must be obedient. As such he was obligated to accept his admonishments and correct customs in
conflict with ecclesiastic law. If he failed to honor these conditions the absolution from
excommunication would be void and the princes would elect another king. Having no other
alternative, Henry accepted the terms and was restored to communion with the Church.149
Pope Gregory VII recognized Saracen and pagan rulers. They governed lawfully as kings
but not rightly as Christians. Wicked rulers were incapable of moral rectitude, a requirement for
true kingship modeled after Christ.150 He had explained in his letters to the German faithful that
after excommunication and deposition Henry remained a king but was no longer a Christian
ruler. There was a difference between a lawful ruler and one that was both lawful and righteous.
Henry was removed from governing true believers but it was by no means absolute removal from

148

Carroll, 507-8.

149

Miller, 97-98.

150

Carroll, 135.