The Great Papal Schism: When the Catholic Church Had Three Popes

For centuries, the Pope has stood as the ultimate spiritual authority for Catholics worldwide. However, a tumultuous period in the late 14th century saw the emergence of not one, not two, but three rival popes. This unprecedented situation, known as the Great Papal Schism, plunged the Catholic Church into a crisis of legitimacy and sparked political maneuvering across Europe. Let's delve into the origins and resolution of this extraordinary chapter in religious history.

The Seeds of Discord: King Philip IV and Pope Boniface VIII

The roots of the schism can be traced back to 1296 when France's King Philip IV sought to impose taxes on the Church. This move angered Pope Boniface VIII, who responded with the "Unam Sanctam," a decree asserting the Pope's absolute supremacy over all earthly rulers. King Philip retaliated by accusing Boniface of heresy and attempting to arrest him. Although Boniface survived the assault, he died shortly after, setting the stage for future conflict.

The Avignon Papacy: A Shift in Power

Following Boniface's death and a brief papacy, Pope Clement V was elected in 1305. Seeking to mediate the war between England and France and avoid the pressures of Rome, Clement moved the papal seat to Avignon in 1309. This relocation marked the beginning of the Avignon Papacy, which lasted for seven papacies. In 1376, the reigning Pope finally returned to Rome, but his sudden death soon after triggered a new crisis.

The Roman Election and the Rise of Two Popes

The death of the Pope in Rome, after over 70 years without a papal election in the city, led to intense pressure from Roman citizens to elect an Italian pope. Amidst chaos and intimidation, the cardinals chose the Neapolitan Archbishop of Bari, who became Pope Urban VI. However, Urban quickly alienated the cardinals with his reformist agenda and attempts to curb their luxurious lifestyles.

The Cardinals' Revolt

Desperate to maintain their privileges, the cardinals declared Urban's election illegitimate, claiming it was conducted under duress. They then elected Pope Clement VII, creating a rival papacy in Avignon. This marked the official beginning of the Great Papal Schism, with Western Christendom divided between two competing popes and their respective courts.

A Divided Christendom: Two Capitals, Two Popes

With two popes claiming legitimacy, European rulers were forced to choose sides, leading to political and spiritual divisions across the continent. Each pope appointed his own cardinals, ensuring the continuation of the schism for decades. Despite the unprecedented situation, ordinary Catholics were largely unaffected, as there were no significant doctrinal differences between the rival factions.

The Council of Pisa: An Attempt to Resolve the Crisis (and a Third Pope!)

In 1409, a group of cardinals from both Rome and Avignon convened the Council of Pisa, claiming the authority to resolve the schism since both popes were disputed. The council deposed both popes and elected a new one. However, the popes of Avignon and Rome refused to recognize the council's authority, resulting in the election of a third pope.

The Council of Constance: Ending the Schism

The crisis finally came to an end in 1417 with the Council of Constance. The Roman pope and the pope created by the Council of Pisa resigned, paving the way for the election of Martin V as the sole, undisputed Pope. Martin V swiftly excommunicated the remaining Avignon Pope, officially ending the schism after 39 years.

Lessons from the Schism

While the Catholic Church officially recognizes the Roman line as the true papal succession, the Great Papal Schism serves as a reminder that even those in positions of religious authority are susceptible to power struggles and political maneuvering. The schism's resolution underscores the importance of compromise and the ability of the Church to overcome even the most profound crises.

Key Takeaways:

• The Great Papal Schism was a period of crisis in the Catholic Church when three rival popes claimed legitimacy.
• The schism was rooted in political conflicts between the papacy and European rulers, as well as internal power struggles within the Church.
• The Council of Constance ultimately resolved the schism by electing a single, undisputed pope.
• The schism highlights the human element within religious institutions and the potential for conflict even among the most pious.

Further Reading:

• The Western Schism by John Holland Smith
• A History of the Popes by John Julius Norwich

Tags: Catholic Church, Papal History, Religious Schism