1. Crisis in the Catholic Church

2. Background Western and central European society was dominated by the Catholic Church since the fall of the Roman Empire. – Religious authorities in many regions were more powerful than secular authorities – Popes, at times, were the most powerful political figures in all of Europe

3. Background The Middle Ages were characterized by religious unity under the Catholic Church Meanwhile, the Greek Orthodox Church (Eastern Orthodox Church) was dominant in the Byzantine Empire in the modern-day Balkans and parts of eastern Europe, including Russia. There was little cooperation between the Catholic and Orthodox churches

4. Critics of the Church Marsiglio de Padua John Wyclif John Hus

5. Marsiglio de Padua Defender of Peace Claimed the church should be subordinate to the state Believed the church should be governed by a council of laity and priests superior to the pope

6. John Wyclif Believed the church should only follow Scripture This view foreshadowed Martin Luther’s reformation in the early 16th century Wrote an English translation of Bible His later followers were called Lollards

8. John Hus Ideas very similar to Wyclif Led a nationalist movement in Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic) Captured by authorities and burned at the stake for his heretical and political views Hussites: followers of Hus, staged large rebellions in the 14th century

11. "Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy" 1305, a struggle between the pope and the French king led to the election of a French pope who set up his leadership in Avignon, France Clement V, a Frenchman, was named pope in 1305. Clement declined to move to Rome, remaining in France, and in 1309 moved his court to the Avignon 7 successive popes resided at Avignon, France – 1305-1378

12. Effects of the move This situation damaged papal prestige (esp. in England & Germany) since popes were believed to be unduly influenced by French kings Rome’s economy, meanwhile, was damaged significantly

13. Great Schism Further conflict occurred in 1377 with election of two popes—one in Rome, one in France— neither of whom recognized the other. Further hurt prestige of church

15. Conciliarism Council of Constance – Ended the Great Schism – Electing Pope Martin V Sought to reform the Church by creating a council of cardinals that would be more powerful than the pope The newly elected Pope Martin V ensured that papal power still remained supreme