Christendom
Papacy Declines
As Christendom weakens so does the influence of the Pope. There was a clearer separation between the Church and the state.
What is wrong with Avignon?
Nothing! Except it is not where the Pope should live. He is the bishop of Rome and should live in his diocese. More importantly, he is the successor of Peter, leader of the universal Church, must remain neutral, and lead the Church.
A rebirth of what?
Greek and Roman culture. Turned away from the styles of the Middle Ages and returned to the writing, sculptures, painting, etc. of the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Left Avignon for Rome
Pope Gregory XI...great idea, return the leadership to Rome where it belongs
Christendom
A culture based upon Christian morality
Twilight
The period was called this due to the fall of a culture based on Christianity.
No! By living in France they gave the impression that the French king, Charles V, was controlling the Church.
Impact on Church was good and not so good...why?
Good... Rome was the center of the Renaissance and the Church was greatly impacted. Many popes made important contributions to the arts. Learning and holiness also had a rebirth and reform.
Not so good... some of the popes used the culture for their own gain. Some in the Church did not want to reform
Vatican Library
Nicholas V... great idea to make a place for the humanists to collect all of the ancient writings
The line of true popes that lived in Avignon, France instead of Rome.
Four reasons it was Twilight
1 England and France at war
2 Germany weak leaders
3 Muslims pushing toward Europe
4 Plague kills a third of the population
5 Important...lack of religious fervor/passion and education. Lack of sermons, instruction for children, lack of ability to read, no prayers, Latin, no Eucharist, and weak papacy
Pope Gregory XI, what did he do?
He realized, with the assistance of Catherine of Siena, that he should lead the Church from Rome.
Humanist impact
One who studies the culture. Looked at the Scriptures, writings of the Fathers of the Church, thanks to the printing press- could make copies from the original Hebrew. Believed the key to reform was our old friend, religious education and religious communities.
Victory parade on Palm Sunday
Pope Julius II...was the nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, got the job through family appointment, which is called nepotism.
Great Schism and difference to the Schism of 1054
The period when the Church was split because of the pope and the anti- pope.
Different than the Schism of 1054...where the Eastern Church split from the Western Church due to the crowning of Charlemagne.
So what...twilight?
Change would bring new challenges and confusion. At the same time, would bring a deepening of faith to others. Without the moral compass of the Church the culture fell on some hard times.
How did the election of Pope Urban VI lead way to the anti-popes?
French bishops thought he was too tough of a reformer, they said they were tricked into him, they stopped recognizing him as the true pope, held an election, and elected Clement VII. This went on for almost forty years.
Humanists...if so great, why a limited impact?
If the leadership, Bishops and Pope, do not want to change, change will not happen.
Vincent de Paul...he saw that the education of the priests was so poor that they had to use cards for the prayers. Saw that many could not recite the ten commandments.
Renaissance
Rebirth; a rebirth of scholarship, Greek and Roman culture.
How was it possible that the High Middle Ages glory was coming to an end...will the Church fall?
That is history. Ups and downs. Many times we have seen the people make it all about them and forget about Jesus. When this happens...Church is weak and society is not as moral. God will always lift up holy man and women to keep the Church strong. Look at the back board...we call them saints.
How did the problem get resolved?
First, they held a council in Pisa hoping both sides would agree to a new pope. Pope Gregory XII did not agree to the council, doesn't step down, and neither does anti-pope Benedict XIII. The council elects Alexander V
Next, they get the sides together and Pope Gregory XII agrees to presides over a council in the neutral city of Constance.
Lastly, at this council, Gregory XII agrees to step down, John XIII was weak and gave up his claim, Benedict XIII refused to step down but they remove him from office anyway. They elect Martin V.
Name some humanists
Thomas More and John Fisher in England... writers and outspoken critics of abuses in the Church
Francisco Jimenez in Spain... loved learning and had a passion for reform. Training ground for well educated priests.Catherine of Sinea in Rome... great writer and influenced Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome.
Held the Church together through the change?
Clearly CHRIST!
People wise... those who would become saints. Angela Merici made the order of Ursula, a return to the Benedictine way of life, Catherine of Siena, Gregory XII, Martin V, Vincent de Paul, and the already mentioned humanists.
The Praise of Folly
Book written in the Renaissance. It was an attack on the corruption in the Church and a plea for reform.