1. The History of the Church Pt II
Chapter 15
The Church Faces Challenges

2. The history of the Church reveals many human decisions.
Impt. To remember the Church is both-human and divine.
Even when there are: bad decisions
weak leaders
evil events –
We can trust the Holy Spirit to lead us so that God’s saving plan can be carried out.
No matter what happens the Holy Spirit is with us

3. Too Many Popes 14th century
Pope Clement V moved papacy from Rome to Avignon, France.(Italians not happy about this.)
By creating a majority of French cardinals, Clement assured a line of French popes.
Avignon became an extravagant papal court that served the interests of the king.

4. King of France Philip the Fair had control of the papacy
He imposed high taxes on the French clergy
He tried the bishops in his court
Boniface VIII reprimanded him
Philip sent soldiers to imprison the Pope.
He ruled over 6 popes

5. Clement V Became pope after Boniface
Over powered by Phillip
Avignon – remained center of the Church
Extravagant papal court
Served interests of the king

6. St. Catherine of Siena Well known mediator
Wrote letters to Pope and visited him in Avignon
Urged him to return to Rome

7. Pope Urban VI became pope
Pope Gregory XI
Returned the papacy to Rome
Pope Urban VI became pope
Cardinals dissatisfied
Cardinals elected another pope
Clement VII
Returned to France

8. Urban VI elected 28 new Cardinals
Christians supported both popes and papal courts
Third pope was elected and further added to confusion

9. they elected the French cardinal Robert of Geneva, who became antipope (is a person who, in opposition to the one who is generally seen as the legitimately elected Pope, )
Two popes claimed to head the Catholic Church – one in Rome , one in France.
Nations took sides and thus unrest in the world.
For short time 3 men claimed to be pope.
Thus began the Western Schism that wracked the Roman Church for 40 years.
French “Church” and Roman “Church”

10. Urban VI Italian Pope hoped to unite the faithful
His harsh reign enraged the French Cardinals in Avignon
French Cardinals declared Urban’s election as “null because it was not made freely but under through fear.”

11. Council of Constance Chose Martin V to be pope Others deposed
Ended the great Western Schism

12. Church Council of Constance restored the papacy to Rome.

13. Great Western Schism - the period from 1378 to 1417,
when there were two, and later three, rival popes,
each with his own following, his own Sacred College of Cardinals, and his own administrative offices.

14. Vatican Today As a result of the Great Western Schism:
The Vatican became:
Sovereign nation
Smallest in world
This prevents any country from claiming ownership or authority over papacy
Pope cares for souls not land or property or one country
Truly Catholic (universal) He is the Pope for all Catholics

15. The Black Death Bubonic plague – crisis during 14th century
Swollen glands
Dead in hours
1/3 of Europe’s pop died
50 years
Priest, nuns and monks helped people by bringing them food and burying them with dignity
Suffering makes one think more of God
People became more religious

16. Anointing the sick
When ill people come face to face with God and ask Him for help. Church answered this with Anointing of the Sick
Those suffering from illness receive a special grace
Priest anoints head and hands of sick person
They are strengthened and given courage , peace and dignity to endure their suffering
Spiritual and physical healing can take place

17. A New Age – 16th century Renaissance – rebirth
Emphasis on human achievement rather than divine presence
Revival of classical cultures of Greece and Rome
Less interest in religion
New nations – kings wanted to take away power of Church
Printing press – spread ideas
People questioned the Church
About faith
About role of Church in their lives

18. Bishops during Renaissance
lived life of princes
Neglected spiritual leadership
Took advantage of the people esp. poor
b/c of these bishops people questioned
Lifestyles of Church
Teaching of the Church

19. Renaissance Popes Great builders Patrons of arts Decadent lifestyle
Favored their family over people of Church
Acquired great personal wealth and land
Were Involved in politics of countries
Sad time in Church history

20. Call for change Martin Luther Catholic priest
Professor of theology and Scripture
Young monk he wondered what he needed to do for salvation
Conclusion; salvation cannot be earned. It is by faith
He saw what was happening to the real mission of the Church

21. Church teaches: Faith is necessary for salvation
Good works is also necessary

22. Some thought they could buy their way to heaven through donations instead of good works.
Church leaders sold “indulgences” (remission of sins) in benefit of themselves and Church

23. Luther posted a list of 95 objections on the door of the Church in Germany
Some ideas which departed from Church
Church – God speaks through Scripture and Tradition
Luther – only Scripture
- believed in only those sacraments found in Scripture (baptism, Eucharist, confirmation
- did not believe in Pope, priesthood, religious life or acts of penance

24. Luther believed:
that humans were basically sinful
and lost their ability to choose spiritual good
People need only faith to gain eternal life
Mass, sacraments, good works, authority of Church, priesthood, papacy not necessary
Married a nun and raised 6 children of own and 4 orphaned children

25. Pope- forbade Luther to preach or write about his objections
Excommunicated Luther
Luther continued his protest
Princes /nobles backed him for political reasons
Lutheran Church formed
Augsburg Confessions – creed of Lutheran Church

26. Protestant Reformation
Appearance of separate Christian communities
Lutheran/Catholic

27. Progress Toward Reconciliation
1998 Catholic Church and Lutheran Churches signed a Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.
Both accept the notion that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ and are thus called to good works.

28. 2006 Catholic Church and World Methodist conferences also signed the Joint Declaration

29. A Friend Turned Foe England and the Pope
Begin 16 th century England loyal to Pope
Henry VIII received the title Defender of the Faith from pope regarding his writings supporting Church against Luther
Katherine was unable to bear him a son so he asked for an annulment
Pope refused

30. Henry declared that the Church in England would be under him instead of the Pope
Anyone who did not acknowledge Henry VIII as head of the Church of England was put to death
Church of England – Anglican Church
US: Episcopal Church