Civil Constitution of the Clergy
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was a pivotal law passed during the French Revolution on July 12, 1790, by the National Constituent Assembly. This legislation was designed to reform the Catholic Church in France, bringing it under the control of the revolutionary government.
Historical Context
The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political upheaval from 1789 to 1799, characterized by the collapse of the Bourbon monarchy, the rise of radical factions, and eventually, the ascent of Napoleon Bonaparte. The Church, one of the largest landowners in France and deeply intertwined with the monarchy, was viewed with suspicion by revolutionaries who sought to reduce its influence and financial power.
Key Provisions
- Clerical Elections: Bishops and priests were to be elected by the citizens of their respective parishes, replacing the traditional appointment by Church authorities or the Crown.
- Salaries by the State: Clergy were to be salaried employees of the state, thus making the Church financially dependent on the government.
- Oath of Loyalty: All clergy were required to take an oath of loyalty to the new constitution, which caused significant division within the Church.
- Reorganization: The number of dioceses was reduced from 135 to 83, aligning with the new administrative divisions of France.
- Secularization: Church lands were nationalized, and the sale of these lands was intended to alleviate the financial crisis of the French government.
Consequences
- Schism: The requirement for clergy to swear an oath to the Civil Constitution caused a schism within the Catholic Church in France. Only about half of the clergy took the oath, leading to a split between "juring" (those who swore) and "non-juring" (those who refused) priests.
- Papal Condemnation: Pope Pius VI condemned the Civil Constitution in his 1791 encyclical Charitas, which excommunicated those who took the oath.
- Conflict and Resistance: The resistance from the non-juring clergy and the populace loyal to the traditional Church structure led to conflicts, including the Vendee Revolt where royalist and Catholic peasants rose against the revolutionary government.
- Dechristianization: This period saw efforts to de-Christianize France, though these were more extreme during the Reign of Terror following the law's implementation.
Legacy
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy significantly altered the relationship between Church and State in France, setting a precedent for future secularization efforts. Its immediate effects were divisive and contributed to the instability of the revolutionary period, but in the long term, it paved the way for the modern secular French state.
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