Continues
from the previous post –
After
a preliminary return to Rome for three years, from 1367, the final
move back from Avignon takes place in 1377.
After
seventy years in France, the papal curia is French in its methods and
largely in its staff. Back in Rome, some degree of tension between
French and Italian factions is inevitable.
It
is brought to an abrupt head by the death of the French pope Gregory
IX within a year of his return to Rome. The Roman crowd, said to be
in threatening mood, demand a Roman pope or at least an Italian one.
In 1378, the conclave elects an Italian from Naples, Urban VI. His
intransigence in office soon alienates the French cardinals. In
addition, the behavior of the Roman crowd enables them to declare, in
retrospect, that his election was invalid, voted under duress. The
French cardinals withdraw to a group of their own, where they elect
one of their numbers, Robert of Geneva. He takes the name Clement
VII. By 1379, he is back in the palace of popes in Avignon, while
Urban pontificates in Rome. This tussle for Rome amongst Europeans
shows that a person who could be a Pope has to be from European
nations and anybody other than that, just cannot even dream of
becoming Pope. Europeans have monopolized Seat of Pope for good. Even
though, as we know original Peter was from Jerusalem. In Europeans,
also, there was choice and that was of Italian first choice, second
choice would be French and then Spanish, Portuguese followed. We do
not see any Pope from Germany and other Northern States of Europe
like Danish, Norwegian or Russian. In much later period however, we
do see some changes in this pattern of choice in selecting person for
position as Pope. We also notice that Popes of Vatican had some
misgivings about Germany and their animosity with that country is
obvious. Reason for that is not clear but some historians are
suggesting that Popes were attached to their motherlands and that
often decided their decisions about selecting their staff in curiae.
They specially avoided having anybody from Northern States of Europe.
Europe as it were divided on this point in Northern European
countries and Southern European countries while selecting New Pope.
Catholic Cardinals of any other country such as from Africa, Latin
America and Asia were conspicuously absent while selecting new Pope.
European politics becomes very vividly visible on such occasions.
The
Great Schism has begun. Since now, there were two equal authorities
of Pope in Europe and it was possible that there will be more Popes
in the world if this type of strife continues in future. None having
key to heaven from Jesus; makes them all invalid bishops of
Christianity. We by now know that this "key to heaven from
Jesus", is what makes Popes from Vatican so much important. When
this key is lost, Popes are of no value at all. However, this concept
is often sidelined by ordinary faithful while looking to this office
of papal authority.
The
Great Schism: 1378-1417
For
nearly forty years, Europe has two papal curiae (the central
administration governing the Roman Catholic Church) and two sets of
cardinals, each electing a new pope for Rome or Avignon when death
brings a vacancy. Each pope lobbies for support. Kings and princes
play them off against each other, changing allegiance when advantage
offers.
In 1409, a council is convened at Pisa to resolve the issue. The council declares both existing popes to be schismatic (Gregory XII from Rome, Benedict XIII from Avignon) and appoints a new one, Alexander V. Nevertheless, nobody has persuaded the other two to resign. Therefore, the church now has three popes. Another council is convened, in 1414, at Constance. It will also consider the radical notions of John Wycliffe and John Huss.
Continues
in the next post –
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