Nobody could ignore the Church in the Middle Ages.

The Church had power over people's lives:

The Church expected everyone to follow its rules, for example respecting the Sabbath by going to church and not swearing or committing adultery.
The Church would punish anyone who broke the rules, for example by putting them in the stocks, fining them or whipping them.

The Church gave people hope.

Life on Earth was short and fairly miserable for many people. The Church promised that only it could help you to go to heaven and avoid hell. The priest had the power to hear confessions and to forgive your sins. The Church also taught that, after death, your soul goes to Purgatory to atone for your sins. The Church claimed that it could reduce your time in Purgatory if you went on a pilgrimage, touched a holy relic or bought indulgences.

The Church gave people help.

The Government didn't help people in those days. The only help was from the Church:

Food during famines.
Festivals on holy days (holidays).
Care for the sick and the elderly.
Almshouses to help the poor.

Year 7 Daily Life and Beliefs

Medieval Church