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The Decline of the Church

The Decline of the Church. Church in the 13 th Century. Roman Catholic Church at the height of its power Pope spiritual head of all of Christendom and also claimed authority over all secular rulers But, Papal claims of supremacy were beginning to grow out of step with secular monarchies.

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The Decline of the Church

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  1. The Decline of the Church

  2. Church in the 13th Century • Roman Catholic Church at the height of its power • Pope spiritual head of all of Christendom and also claimed authority over all secular rulers • But, Papal claims of supremacy were beginning to grow out of step with secular monarchies

  3. Boniface VIII and the Conflict with the State • Boniface VIII vs. Philip the Fair of France (1294-1303) • (universal sovereignty of the papacy vs. royal sovereignty of the monarch) • Philip claimed right to tax French clergy • Boniface upset because if clergy paid taxes that would mean they were under the authority of the crown not the pope. • Issued Unam Sanctam (1302) • Papal bull (letter) in which the Pope made a statement of his authority by excommunicating Philip • Philip had Boniface captured and brought to France for trial • The shock of this experience led to his death • Result: Victory of monarchy over papacy

  4. New Pope, New Home • New pope: Clement V (1305-1314) (a Frenchman) • Philip had pressured the cardinals into electing a French pope • Moved the residency of the papacy to Avignon because of “turbulence in Rome” • Avignon lay just across the river from French territory in the Holy Roman Empire Holy Roman Empire

  5. Challenge Question #1 • Why would Pope Clement V want to move the Papacy to Avignon?

  6. The Papacy at Avignon (1305-1377) • Proximity of papacy to France led to a decline in papal prestige • Considered captives of the French monarchy • France began imposing new taxes on the clergy. • Splendor in which the papacy was living in Avignon led to highly vocal criticisms of abuses within the church • Many people wanted the pope to return to Rome, including Catherine of Siena (c. 1347-1380). • Mystic who claimed her visions of God led her to travel from Florence to Avignon admonish the Pope (Gregory XI) and demand he return to Rome

  7. The Western Schism/The Great Schism • Papacy returns to Rome in 1378 to avoid continuing decline in prestige • Pope Gregory XI dies soon after he arrives • Election of new pope • 1st elected- Pope Urban VI (Italian) • French Cardinals claimed they were coerced by the Roman people • “ran the risk of being “torn to pieces” • 2ndelected Pope Clement VIII (French) - Once freed from the Roman mob, French clergy said the election of Urban was null and void and elected their own pope • 2 Rival Popes divide Europe - Popes denounce each other as the “Antichrist” - Countries pick sides according to political agenda (100 Years War)

  8. Challenge Question #2 • Why were two popes elected after Pope Gregory XI died?

  9. The Western Schism/The Great Schism • Conciliarism- only a general council of the church could end the schism • Council of Pisa (1409) • Deposed both popes and elected a new pope, Alexander V • Popes refuse to step down • And then there were three… • Council of Constance • End of the Schism 1417 • Pope Martin V (1417-1431) elected • Results of the Great Schism • Schism lasted for 40 years • Spectacle undermined the authority of the Church

  10. Popular Religion • Decline of respect for the institution of the church • Yet, the Black Death heightened people’s preoccupation with death and salvation • Trends • Mechanical paths to salvation • Performing good deeds • Indulgences- forgiveness for punishment in purgatory due to sin by “charitable contributions” • Mysticism and Lay Piety • Mysticism- immediate experience of oneness with God • Unique Female Mystical Experiences • Fasting and receiving the Eucharist (communion bread and wine) • Catherine of Sienna lived on only cold water, herbs, and the Eucharist • Believed she was in a “mystical marriage with Jesus”

  11. Challenge Question #3 • Why do you think mechanical paths to salvation and mysticism became popular in this period?

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