By History And Culture Media

10/27/2024

The Western Schism: Division Within the Catholic Church

The Western Schism (1378–1417), also known as the Papal Schism or Great Schism of the West, was a period of profound division in the Catholic Church, during which multiple rival popes claimed legitimacy. This crisis undermined papal authority, weakened the church’s prestige, and set the stage for later reform movements in Europe.

Background to the Western Schism

The Avignon Papacy

From 1309 to 1377, the papacy resided in Avignon, France, under strong French influence. When Pope Gregory XI returned the papacy to Rome in 1377, he died shortly after, creating a power vacuum in a politically unstable Rome.

Election of Urban VI

In 1378, the Roman populace demanded an Italian pope. The cardinals elected Urban VI, an Italian, but his harsh reforms and abrasive leadership alienated many cardinals.

Election of Clement VII

In response, a group of French cardinals declared Urban VI’s election invalid due to mob pressure and elected Clement VII as pope. Clement established his papal court in Avignon, leading to two rival popes and divided Christendom.

The Division of Christendom

Rival Papal Allegiances

• Rome (Urban VI and successors): Supported by England, the Holy Roman Empire, Hungary, and most of Italy.
  
  

• Avignon (Clement VII and successors): Supported by France, Scotland, Spain, and Naples.
  
  

Effects on Europe

The schism deepened political and national rivalries, as allegiance to a particular pope often aligned with broader geopolitical interests.

Theological Confusion

Many Christians were spiritually troubled, unsure which pope held legitimate apostolic authority. This undermined faith in the papacy’s universality and moral leadership.

Attempts at Resolution

The Council of Pisa (1409)

Church leaders attempted to end the schism by deposing both reigning popes (Gregory XII in Rome and Benedict XIII in Avignon) and electing Alexander V. However, neither pope accepted deposition, resulting in three rival popes and worsening the crisis.

The Council of Constance (1414–1418)

The schism ended at the Council of Constance under Emperor Sigismund’s guidance:

• Gregory XII (Rome) resigned voluntarily.
  
  

• Benedict XIII (Avignon) was declared deposed.
  
  

• John XXIII (Pisan pope) was deposed.
  
  

• Martin V was elected in 1417, restoring unity to the Catholic Church.
  
  

Consequences of the Western Schism

Decline of Papal Prestige

The schism damaged the moral and spiritual authority of the papacy. Many viewed the office as corrupt and politically motivated, fueling anti-clerical sentiment.

Rise of Conciliarism

The crisis gave rise to conciliarism, the idea that a general council of the church held greater authority than the pope. This theory influenced later reform efforts and weakened papal supremacy.

Prelude to the Reformation

The schism’s exposure of church corruption, administrative failure, and spiritual confusion laid the groundwork for the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.

Conclusion

The Western Schism (1378–1417) was a significant crisis in medieval Catholicism. It divided Europe politically and religiously, undermined papal prestige, and created theological uncertainty that reshaped European Christianity in the centuries that followed.

Sources

• Western Schism, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Schism, 10/27/2024