The Great Western Schism rocked the Catholic Church, splitting it between rival popes in Rome and Avignon. This crisis stemmed from the Avignon Papacy, where popes resided in France for 70 years, sparking criticism of French influence over the Church.

The Schism undermined Church unity and authority, eroding trust in the papacy and hierarchy. It fueled the rise of conciliarism, which argued that church councils held power over popes, challenging traditional notions of papal supremacy and setting the stage for future reforms.

The Great Western Schism

Causes of Great Western Schism

• Avignon Papacy (1309-1377)
  • Pope Clement V relocated the papal court to Avignon, France under pressure from French King Philip IV
  • Seven successive popes resided in Avignon for nearly 70 years, leading to the perception of French influence over the papacy
  • The Avignon Papacy damaged the reputation and credibility of the papal office, as popes were seen as prioritizing French interests over those of the universal Church
• Return to Rome and election of Urban VI (1378)
  • Pope Gregory XI moved the papal court back to Rome in 1377 in response to growing criticism and calls for reform
  • After Gregory XI's death, the Italian Urban VI was elected pope in a tumultuous conclave, known for his harsh reforms and alienation of the French cardinals
• Election of Clement VII and the start of the Schism (1378)
  • Disgruntled French cardinals declared Urban VI's election invalid, claiming it was made under duress from the Roman mob
  • They elected Clement VII as a rival pope, who established a competing papacy in Avignon, thus beginning the Great Western Schism
• Division of Europe's allegiance
  • The Schism divided Europe's political and religious loyalties, with France, Spain, Scotland, and Southern Italy supporting the Avignon papacy (Clement VII)
  • England, the Holy Roman Empire, and Northern Italy recognized the Roman papacy (Urban VI), aligning with popes based on political interests rather than religious conviction

Impact on Catholic Church authority

• Undermined the unity and universality of the Church
  • The existence of two competing popes, each claiming legitimacy, confused and divided the faithful, eroding the Church's unity
  • Nations aligned with popes based on political interests rather than spiritual authority, undermining the Church's universality
• Diminished the moral authority of the papacy
  • The rival popes excommunicated each other and their supporters, damaging the credibility of the papal office
  • Corruption and nepotism within both papal courts further eroded the moral standing of the papacy
• Eroded trust in the Church hierarchy
  • Clergy and laity questioned the validity of sacraments and indulgences administered by priests loyal to the opposing pope
  • The Schism fueled calls for reform and weakened the Church's ability to address growing criticism and dissent
• Financial strain on the Church
  • Both papacies sought to maintain their power and influence through increased taxation and simony (selling of church offices)
  • The financial burden on the Church and its members intensified, leading to resentment and opposition

Challenges to Church Authority

Conciliarism as Schism response

• Conciliar theory
  • Conciliarism emerged as a response to the Schism, arguing that a general council of the Church had authority over the pope in matters of faith, unity, and reform
  • Proponents believed that the Church, not the pope, was the ultimate source of authority, challenging the concept of papal supremacy
• Council of Pisa (1409)
  • The Council of Pisa attempted to resolve the Schism by deposing both rival popes and electing a new one, Alexander V
  • However, the deposed popes refused to step down, resulting in three competing popes and further complicating the Schism
• Council of Constance (1414-1418)
  • The Council of Constance successfully ended the Schism by deposing or accepting the resignation of all three popes (John XXIII, Gregory XII, Benedict XIII)
  • The council elected Pope Martin V, restoring unity to the Church and asserting the authority of general councils over the papacy
• Implications for Church governance
  • Conciliarism challenged the idea of papal supremacy and infallibility, arguing that popes were subject to the authority of general councils
  • The success of the Council of Constance strengthened the role of general councils in Church decision-making and reform efforts
  • The conciliar movement laid the foundation for future reform movements, such as the Protestant Reformation, which further challenged papal authority

Avignon Papacy vs papal authority

• Perception of French influence over the papacy
  • The Avignon Papacy (1309-1377) was perceived as being under the influence of the French monarchy, damaging the reputation and credibility of the papal office
  • Popes were seen as prioritizing French interests over those of the universal Church, eroding the trust and respect for papal authority
• Centralization of papal power
  • The Avignon popes focused on consolidating their authority and expanding the papal bureaucracy, leading to a more centralized and administrative papacy
  • This emphasis on temporal power and wealth came at the expense of the popes' pastoral duties and spiritual leadership, further weakening their moral authority
• Rise of national churches
  • The Avignon Papacy's perceived French bias led to a growing sense of nationalism and the rise of national churches, as rulers sought to assert control over local church affairs
  • In France, Gallicanism emerged, emphasizing the autonomy of the French church and the authority of the French king over clergy
  • England passed the Statute of Provisors (1351) and Statute of Praemunire (1353), limiting papal influence in ecclesiastical appointments and jurisdiction
• Decline of papal authority
  • The Avignon Papacy contributed to the erosion of papal prestige and moral authority, as popes were seen as more interested in political power than spiritual leadership
  • This decline in papal authority set the stage for the Great Western Schism and further challenges to Church unity and governance, ultimately paving the way for the Protestant Reformation