Page "Afonso II of Portugal" Paragraph 4

Other reforms included the always delicate matters with the pope.

In order to get the independence of Portugal recognized by Rome, his grandfather, Afonso I, had to legislate an enormous number of privileges to the Church.

These eventually created a state within the state.

With Portugal's position as a country firmly established, Afonso II endeavoured to weaken the power of the clergy and to apply a portion of the enormous revenues of the Roman Catholic Church to purposes of national utility.

These actions led to a serious diplomatic conflict between the pope and Portugal.

After being excommunicated for his audacities by Pope Honorius III, Afonso II promised to make amends to the church, but he died in 1223 before making any serious attempts to do so.