Eleanor Finch
The French Revolution (1789-1799) saw a conflict between temporal power and spiritual authority, with the revolutionary government seizing Church property and subordinating the Catholic Church to the French state. This resulted in a schism within the French Church, dividing those who supported the 'Constitutional Church' and those who remained loyal to the Pope, who had refused to approve the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. The Concordat of 1801 ended the dechristianization period and established the relationship between the Catholic Church and the French state, with the Pope agreeing to subsidize the salaries of clerics in exchange for legitimization.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy | 12 July 1790 |
| Number of Bishops | 83 |
| Electors | Electors did not have to be Catholics |
| Pope's Approval | Not approved by the Pope |
| Clergy | Divided into "juring" and "nonjuring" |
| Clergy Salary | Paid by the state |
| Appointment of Bishops | Bishops were to be appointed by Napoleon |
| Concordat | Signed on 16 July 1801 |
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What You'll Learn
The Pope's refusal to approve the Civil Constitution of the Clergy
The French Revolution witnessed a tumultuous relationship between the French state and the Catholic Church. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy, passed on July 12, 1790, was an attempt by the Revolutionary governing body, the National Assembly, to exert control over the Church in France. This legislation reduced the number of bishops, aligned dioceses with administrative divisions, and mandated that priests and bishops be elected by citizens, with their salaries paid by the state. The Constitution also required clergy to swear an oath of loyalty to the government, pitting their allegiance between the French state and the Pope.
The Pope's stance had significant repercussions. It divided the clergy into "juring" and "non-juring" factions, with those taking the oath known as "jurors" and those refusing labelled "non-jurors" or "refractory priests." The Pope's condemnation of the oath further exacerbated the schism within the Church, with many devout Catholics turning against the Revolution. This division in the clergy was not easily resolved, and the conflict between the Church and the state continued into the Napoleonic era.
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The Concordat of 1801
The Concordat remained in effect until 1905, except in Alsace-Lorraine, where it remains in force. It was abrogated by the law of 1905 on the separation of church and state.
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The French Revolution's impact on the Catholic Church
The French Revolution had a profound impact on the Catholic Church in France, leading to a period of dechristianization and a significant shift in the relationship between church and state.
In the years leading up to the Revolution, the Catholic Church in France, known as the Gallican Church, was the official religion of the state. The church recognized the Pope's authority but had negotiated liberties that privileged the authority of the French monarch. Despite this, there was widespread discontent with the church's wealth and perceived abuses, and calls for reform or abolition of the tithe system.
The Revolution brought about a direct challenge to the church's power and influence. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy, passed in 1790, reorganized the church, reducing the number of bishops and bringing them under tighter state control. Dioceses were redrawn, clergy salaries were paid by the state, and priests and bishops were to be elected by citizens, not all of whom were necessarily Catholic. This strict subordination of the church to the state was opposed by many clerics and the Pope, who refused to approve the Constitution.
As a result, the French population divided between those who supported the ''Constitutional Church' and those who remained loyal to the Pope and the refractory priests who refused to swear an oath of loyalty to the Constitution. This oath became a referendum on one's loyalty to either Catholicism or the Revolution, causing a schism among French Catholics and generating hostility towards the Revolution.
The conflict between the church and the revolutionary government escalated, and by 1794, France's churches and religious orders were closed, and religious worship was suppressed. The revolutionary government sought to reclaim church land and terminate religious practice, leading to a period of dechristianization.
The Concordat of 1801, negotiated between Napoleon Bonaparte and the Papacy, resolved the schism. Catholicism was recognized as the religion of the majority of French citizens, but the church was brought under state authority. Napoleon further diminished the Pope's authority by appointing bishops himself and introducing policies in conquered territories that brought their Catholic Churches under his rule.
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The Constitutional Church vs the Refractory Priests
The French Revolution brought about a series of changes to the Catholic Church in France, with the National Assembly seizing church lands and abolishing the collection of tithes. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy, passed in July 1790, was an attempt to reorganise the Church on a national basis, reducing the number of bishops and bringing the Church under the authority of the state. The Constitution required all clergy to swear an oath of loyalty to the government, which proved to be highly controversial.
The oath was essentially a test of whether priests believed the French state or the Pope had supreme authority in ecclesiastical matters. Many priests felt they could not put their loyalty towards France before their loyalty to God. On the other hand, refusing to swear the oath was a rejection of the Constitution and the legitimacy of the French government. The Pope's eventual condemnation of the oath in 1791 divided the Church into two camps: the "jurors" who took the oath, and the "non-jurors" or "refractory priests" who refused.
The refractory priests often enjoyed the support of their parishioners, particularly in rural areas, as many religious peasants resented the Civil Constitution. The Pope's condemnation hardened opposition among the clergy, with some priests renouncing their oaths. However, the refractory minority could face victimisation in areas where most priests had taken the oath, such as Paris.
The Constitutional Church, on the other hand, was supported by those who believed the French government should have a say in religion. The National Assembly attempted to suppress the refractory priests, banning them from preaching in public and forbidding them from presiding over marriages, baptisms, and other ceremonies. However, they were still permitted to celebrate Mass, as the Assembly feared that stripping them of all power would create chaos and arouse sympathy for the refractory priests.
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Napoleon's disdain for Rome
The French Revolution saw a significant reorganisation of the Roman Catholic Church in France. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy, approved on 12 July 1790, brought about a schism within the French Church, causing many devout Catholics to turn against the Revolution. The Constitution reduced the number of bishops, redrew dioceses, and required priests and bishops to be elected by citizens, with their salaries paid by the state. It also mandated that all clergy swear an oath of loyalty to the government, a highly controversial requirement that divided the Church into "jurors" and "non-jurors".
Napoleon Bonaparte, who rose to prominence during the French Revolution, played a key role in shaping the relationship between France and Rome. On the one hand, Napoleon sought to associate his rule with the Church, insisting on the Pope's attendance at his coronation in 1804 and introducing a feast day for "Saint Napoleon". However, his actions also demonstrated a clear disdain for Rome's authority. Napoleon closed down monasteries, seized Church property, and introduced the Concordat in conquered territories, bringing the Catholic Church under his rule.
Napoleon's annexation of Rome in 1809 marked a significant escalation in tensions with the Pope. The Pope excommunicated Napoleon, who responded by arresting and exiling the pontiff. Napoleon also pressured the Pope to sign a new "Concordat of Fontainebleau" in 1813, which was later repudiated. These actions reflected Napoleon's desire to assert his authority over the Church and challenge Rome's spiritual and temporal power.
Napoleon's complex relationship with the Catholic Church and Rome is further illustrated by the Concordat of 1801. Negotiated between Napoleon, then First Consul, and representatives of the Papacy, the Concordat was an attempt to resolve the schism between the French Church and the Papacy. While it recognised Catholicism as the religion of the majority of French citizens, it also brought the Church under the authority of the state, with Napoleon appointing all bishops and controlling the reorganisation of dioceses.
In conclusion, Napoleon's actions towards Rome were marked by a complex interplay between personal aggrandisement and disdain for the Church's authority. While he utilised religious symbolism and sought to associate himself with the Church, he simultaneously worked to subjugate it to his rule and challenge the Pope's power. Napoleon's disdain for Rome's spiritual and temporal authority was a significant factor in shaping the religious landscape of France and its relationship with the Catholic Church during his reign.
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Frequently asked questions
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was a law passed in July 1790 during the French Revolution that attempted to reorganise the Roman Catholic Church in France by subordinating it to the French government.
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy caused a schism within the French Church, dividing it into two separate Catholic churches. The Pope refused to approve the Constitution, condemning it and causing a split between the 'jurors' who took an oath of loyalty to the Constitution, and the 'non-jurors' who remained loyal to the Pope.
The Concordat was an agreement reached between Napoleon Bonaparte and the Papacy in July 1801, which ended the dechristianisation period and established the rules for a relationship between the Catholic Church and the French state.
No, the Pope never recognised the Constitutional Church of France. Despite attempts to negotiate with Pope Pius VI, the Pope's open condemnation of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy and his refusal to approve it resulted in a lasting schism between the Constitutional Church and the Papacy.
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