The Catholic CrisisProblems and Challenges of Late Middle

Age Christendom

French King (Philip the Fair) convinces Pope to move to Avignon

Popes concentrated on administrative (not spiritual) matters

Lived a life of luxury

Babylonian Captivity (1309-76)

Gregory XI returns the Church to Rome Death leads to the election of an Italian,

Urban VI Heavy-handed ways leads to a revolt by

cardinals.

Pope Returns to Rome

Cardinals elect Clement VII (French) & excommunicate Urban VI

Clement sets up in Avignon; Urban remains in Rome

The Great Schism

Division of Europe

Allied with Clement Allied with Urban

France Scotland Aragon Castile Portugal

England Holy Roman Empire

(loose) Italian city-states

(move to Clement)

The Schism confused lay people Opened the Church up to criticism Weakened its hold on the people

Damage to the Church

Criticism of the Church

William of OccamMarsiglio of PaduaJohn WyclifJan Hus

Both argue◦ Separation of church and state◦ Pope should have limited powers◦ Church take a back-seat to state

Conciliarists◦ Power in hands of council, not pope alone

William of Occam & Marsiglio of Padua

Bible was the ultimate authority; not pope Translated Bible to English “Lollards” spread ideas and Bibles

John Wyclif

Criticized indulgences Preached in Czech language in Bohemia Increased Czech nationalism, forced a

separation from Catholic church

Jan Hus

Attempt to heal schism Elect a new pope, but other two do not

leave◦ Three popes!!!!

Council at Pisa (1409)

Meet to:◦ End schism◦ Reform church◦ End heresy

Execute Hus End schism by electing new pope (Martin V)

Council at Constance (1414-1418)

Confraternities◦ Groups of lay people who took on the functions of

the church Mysticism

◦ Intense religious feelings◦ Visions, “experiencing God”, the Holy Spirit, “Born

Again”

Lay Piety and Mysticism