Incessantly interfered with by the legates, the bishops lost all desire to discipline their dioceses; incessantly interfered with by the begging monks, the parish priest had become powerless in his own village; his pastoral influence was utterly destroyed by the papal indulgences and absolutions they sold.

The money was carried off to Rome.
Pecuniary necessities urged many of the popes to resort to such petty expedients as to require from a prince, a bishop, or a grand-master, who bad a cause pending in the court, a present of a golden cup filled with ducats.

Such necessities also gave origin to jubilees.

Sixtus IV.
established whole colleges, and sold the places at three or four hundred ducats.

Innocent VIII.