Section IV: (Pages ) The Roman Catholic Church Faces Crises This section is about: This section is about: The Pope living in Avignon (France) for about 70 years and the Great Schism that followed when the church moved the papacy back to Rome. The Pope living in Avignon (France) for about 70 years and the Great Schism that followed when the church moved the papacy back to Rome. Outspoken critics of the church at this time (John Wycliffe, the Lollards, and Jan Hus). Outspoken critics of the church at this time (John Wycliffe, the Lollards, and Jan Hus).

Look at the Main Ideas on page 307. And… the vocabulary words next to them. The title of this section is: “ The Roman Catholic Church Faces Crises. ” What do you think these crises will be?

The Papacy at Avignon and the Great Schism In the Middle Ages, the papacy (Pope) was always involved in the politics of Europe. In the Middle Ages, the papacy (Pope) was always involved in the politics of Europe. This meant the popes could either hurt or help any king they wanted to. This meant the popes could either hurt or help any king they wanted to.

From Rome to Avignon Rome was always a symbol for Christians. Rome was always a symbol for Christians. The Pope was “ the Bishop of Rome. ” The Pope was “ the Bishop of Rome. ” Over time, he ended up becoming the most important bishop – and even a world leader. Over time, he ended up becoming the most important bishop – and even a world leader. In 1309, Pope Clement V moved the seat of the papacy to Avignon, France (with new palaces). In 1309, Pope Clement V moved the seat of the papacy to Avignon, France (with new palaces). The next 7 popes were from France. The next 7 popes were from France.

The Great Schism 1377: a new pope (Gregory XI) – returned the papacy to Rome. 1377: a new pope (Gregory XI) – returned the papacy to Rome. 1378: Gregory dies and the new pope (Urban VI) is an unruly and cruel Italian. 1378: Gregory dies and the new pope (Urban VI) is an unruly and cruel Italian. The Cardinals declared his election invalid and elected Clement VII. The Cardinals declared his election invalid and elected Clement VII. Urban refused to resign, so he stayed in Rome – and Clement went to Avignon (both as popes). Urban refused to resign, so he stayed in Rome – and Clement went to Avignon (both as popes).

For 40 years the Church was divided – a time called the Great Schism. For 40 years the Church was divided – a time called the Great Schism. Popes in Rome and antipopes (the second popes) in Avignon each claimed authority. Popes in Rome and antipopes (the second popes) in Avignon each claimed authority. France, Sicily and Spain supported the antipopes. France, Sicily and Spain supported the antipopes. England, Ireland, and the rest of Europe supported the Roman popes. England, Ireland, and the rest of Europe supported the Roman popes. In 1417, they all held a big meeting (the Council of Constance) to unite the papacy. In 1417, they all held a big meeting (the Council of Constance) to unite the papacy. They agreed Martin V would be the next pope and he would unify the papacy (and they agreed that even the pope had to obey the rules of the Church). They agreed Martin V would be the next pope and he would unify the papacy (and they agreed that even the pope had to obey the rules of the Church).

Internal Tensions Grow During the early Middle Ages, most people accepted whatever the Catholic Church said and wanted. During the early Middle Ages, most people accepted whatever the Catholic Church said and wanted. They were very politically, socially, and philosophically powerful. They were very politically, socially, and philosophically powerful. By the 14 th century, people started questioning the Church ’ s teachings and practices. By the 14 th century, people started questioning the Church ’ s teachings and practices.

John Wycliffe Calls for Reforms Before the Great Schism, the biggest problem the Church had was when the Roman Catholic Church split from the Eastern Byzantine Orthodox Church. Before the Great Schism, the biggest problem the Church had was when the Roman Catholic Church split from the Eastern Byzantine Orthodox Church. At the same time of the Great Schism, a man named John Wycliffe was also starting to criticize many Church teachings and practices. At the same time of the Great Schism, a man named John Wycliffe was also starting to criticize many Church teachings and practices.

Wycliffe objected to the wealth of the clergy and the pope. Wycliffe objected to the wealth of the clergy and the pope. He said the Bible (not church leaders) was the highest source of religious authority. He said the Bible (not church leaders) was the highest source of religious authority. He felt people should be able to read and interpret the Bible by themselves - so he helped get the Bible translated from Latin into English. He felt people should be able to read and interpret the Bible by themselves - so he helped get the Bible translated from Latin into English. His followers called themselves Lollards. His followers called themselves Lollards. Wycliffe and the Lollards were called heretics (people who express different beliefs) and were eventually forced to go into hiding. Wycliffe and the Lollards were called heretics (people who express different beliefs) and were eventually forced to go into hiding.

CAP 1 1 In the bigynnyng God made of nouyt heuene and erthe. 1 In the bigynnyng God made of nouyt heuene and erthe. 2 Forsothe the erthe was idel and voide, and derknessis weren on the face of depthe; and the Spiryt of the Lord was borun on the watris. 2 Forsothe the erthe was idel and voide, and derknessis weren on the face of depthe; and the Spiryt of the Lord was borun on the watris. 3 And God seide, Liyt be maad, and liyt was maad. 3 And God seide, Liyt be maad, and liyt was maad. 4 And God seiy the liyt, that it was good, and he departide the liyt fro derknessis; and he clepide the liyt, 4 And God seiy the liyt, that it was good, and he departide the liyt fro derknessis; and he clepide the liyt, 5 dai, and the derknessis, nyyt. And the euentid and morwetid was maad, o daie. 5 dai, and the derknessis, nyyt. And the euentid and morwetid was maad, o daie. 6 And God seide, The firmament be maad in the myddis of watris, and departe watris fro watris. 6 And God seide, The firmament be maad in the myddis of watris, and departe watris fro watris. 7 And God made the firmament, and departide the watris that weren vndur the firmament fro these watris that weren on the firmament; and it was don so. 7 And God made the firmament, and departide the watris that weren vndur the firmament fro these watris that weren on the firmament; and it was don so.

Challenges to the Church Wycliffe ’ s ideas also influenced Jan Hus (Czech religious reformer) who also wanted some reforms. Wycliffe ’ s ideas also influenced Jan Hus (Czech religious reformer) who also wanted some reforms. He objected to indulgences (buying forgiveness for a sin). He objected to indulgences (buying forgiveness for a sin). Many people were much more willing to buy an indulgence than spend hours and days doing penance. Many people were much more willing to buy an indulgence than spend hours and days doing penance. But – who got the money that was paid for an indulgence? But – who got the money that was paid for an indulgence? And, do you think the Bible says you can pay off your sins? And, do you think the Bible says you can pay off your sins? For a while, the Church was able to stop many of these reform attempts, but more were coming… For a while, the Church was able to stop many of these reform attempts, but more were coming…