Answer:
The Black Death, which struck Europe in the mid-14th century, had a profound impact on the influence of the Christian church in Western Europe. Firstly, the devastating mortality rate caused by the plague led to a significant loss of clergy and religious authorities, weakening the church's infrastructure and its ability to administer to the spiritual needs of the population. Secondly, the perceived inability of the church to effectively address or mitigate the plague's effects eroded people's faith and trust in its leadership, sparking questioning of church doctrine and practices. Lastly, the economic and social disruptions caused by the Black Death paved the way for societal changes, including the emergence of new religious movements and challenges to the dominance of the Catholic Church, contributing to the broader transformation of Western European society during the late Middle Ages.
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