Why did opponents criticize the privileges held by Roman Catholic clergy under feudalism?

Opponents criticized the privileges held by the Roman Catholic clergy under feudalism primarily because these privileges were often perceived as corrupt and inconsistent with the duties of ecclesiastical office.1

During the Middle Ages, the church’s hierarchical structure and its role in secular affairs—such as ruling on matters of marriage, wills, and succession—expanded significantly. This centralization of power led to several specific grievances:23

• Proprietary Interests: Many people began to view ecclesiastical offices not as spiritual duties, but as sources of income or objects of proprietary right.2
• Corruption and Venality: The papal court and its bureaucracy developed a reputation for corruption, leading to practices like pluralism (holding multiple benefices) and nonresidence.2
• Taxation and Revenue: When direct taxation proved insufficient, the church used its authority to "provide" bureaucrats to benefices across Europe, treating these positions as revenue streams rather than pastoral roles.2

These systemic issues fostered a sense of anticlericalism, as reformers and critics increasingly viewed the church’s institutional privileges as obstacles to genuine religious and social reform.21