Questions: How was the Catholic Church an obstacle to monarchs who wanted more power? - by inciting nobles to revolt against their monarchs - by challenging monarchs' attempts to control the clergy - by promoting the development of individual rights - by sending armies against the monarchies of Europe

The answer is by challenging monarchs' attempts to control the clergy.

While the Catholic Church had significant influence over European society, there is limited historical evidence to suggest that it systematically incited nobles to revolt against monarchs as a primary obstacle to monarchical power.

The Catholic Church often acted as an obstacle to monarchs who sought to consolidate power by attempting to control the clergy. The Church held significant spiritual and temporal power, and monarchs frequently clashed with the papacy over issues such as the appointment of bishops and the extent of royal authority over church matters. This struggle is exemplified by events like the Investiture Controversy, where the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope disputed over who had the authority to appoint church officials.

The Catholic Church was not primarily focused on promoting individual rights during the periods when monarchs were consolidating power. The concept of individual rights as understood today developed much later, particularly during the Enlightenment.

While the Church did have military influence, such as during the Crusades, it did not typically send armies against European monarchies as a means of obstructing their power. The Church's military actions were more focused on external threats or heretical movements rather than direct opposition to monarchs.