Crisis in the Catholic Church

Background

• Western and central European society was dominated by the Catholic Church since the fall of the Roman Empire. – Religious authorities in many regions were more

powerful than secular authorities – Popes, at times, were the most powerful political

figures in all of Europe

Background

• The Middle Ages were characterized by religious unity under the Catholic Church

• Meanwhile, the Greek Orthodox Church (Eastern Orthodox Church) was dominant in the Byzantine Empire in the modern-day Balkans and parts of eastern Europe, including Russia.

• There was little cooperation between the Catholic and Orthodox churches

Critics of the Church

• Marsiglio de Padua • John Wyclif • John Hus

Marsiglio de Padua

• Defender of Peace • Claimed the church should be subordinate to

the state • Believed the church should be governed by a

council of laity and priests superior to the pope

John Wyclif

• Believed the church should only follow Scripture

• This view foreshadowed Martin Luther’s reformation in the early 16th century

• Wrote an English translation of Bible • His later followers were called Lollards

John Hus

• Ideas very similar to Wyclif • Led a nationalist movement in Bohemia

(modern-day Czech Republic) • Captured by authorities and burned at the

stake for his heretical and political views • Hussites: followers of Hus, staged large

rebellions in the 14th century

"Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy"

• 1305, a struggle between the pope and the French king led to the election of a French pope who set up his leadership in Avignon, France

• Clement V, a Frenchman, was named pope in 1305. Clement declined to move to Rome, remaining in France, and in 1309 moved his court to the Avignon

• 7 successive popes resided at Avignon, France – 1305-1378

Effects of the move

• This situation damaged papal prestige (esp. in England & Germany) since popes were believed to be unduly influenced by French kings

• Rome’s economy, meanwhile, was damaged significantly

Great Schism

• Further conflict occurred in 1377 with election of two popes—one in Rome, one in France—neither of whom recognized the other.

• Further hurt prestige of church

Conciliarism

• Council of Constance– Ended the Great Schism – Electing Pope Martin V

• Sought to reform the Church by creating a council of cardinals that would be more powerful than the pope

• The newly elected Pope Martin V ensured that papal power still remained supreme