The Avignon Papacy, also known as the Babylonian Captivity of the Church, was a period from 1309 to 1376 during which seven successive popes resided in Avignon, France rather than in Rome. This period is viewed as controversial and damaging to the reputation and authority of the papacy. Here is an overview of the key events and implications of this unusual chapter in papal history:
Background
In 1309, Pope Clement V moved the papal court from Rome to Avignon. At the time, Rome was chaotic and unstable. Avignon was part of the Papal States but surrounded by the Kingdom of France, offering a safer and more stable base for the pope. Additionally, Clement V had close ties with the French crown which likely influenced his decision.
Over the next 67 years, the papacy remained located in Avignon rather than Rome. Seven popes reigned from Avignon during this period: Clement V, John XXII, Benedict XII, Clement VI, Innocent VI, Urban V, and Gregory XI. The period has been characterized as the “Babylonian Captivity” of the popes, comparing it to the Babylonian exile of the Jewish people in Biblical times (Jeremiah 20:4-6).
Causes & Motivations
There were several factors motivating the decision to move the papacy to Avignon:
- Political instability and violence in Rome made Avignon a safer location from which to govern the Church.
- The influence of the French monarchy over the papacy was strong during this period. Locating in France increased French political authority over papal affairs.
- A power struggle between the pope and Holy Roman Emperor prompted the move away from Rome, the base of imperial power.
- Financial motivations, as the papacy benefited from its ties to the prosperous French kingdom.
While these pragmatic reasons help explain the move, critics saw it as the pope abdicating responsibility for the See of Peter and acting out of political expediency.
Criticisms & Controversies
The Avignon Papacy provoked extensive criticism and controversy, including:
- The pope was seen as abandoning the ancient See of Rome, damaging papal authority and legitimacy.
- Being centered in France, the papacy came under excessive French political influence.
- Corruption and graft were said to be widespread among the Avignon popes and cardinals.
- Contemporaries viewed the Curia during this period as lax, pompous, and over-ambitious in its powers.
- Italians felt the French popes ignored affairs in Italy.
- Dante Alighieri wrote scathingly of the French popes in his Divine Comedy.
The Avignon popes were frequently characterized as puppet-popes under the sway of the French kings. To critics, the Babylonian Captivity represented a time of spiritual crisis and decadence for the papacy.
Ending the Avignon Papacy
In 1376, Pope Gregory XI returned the papacy to Rome, ending the Avignon Papacy. Pressure had mounted from all sides, including emphatic calls from St. Catherine of Siena, for the pope to return to the traditional seat of the papacy. Gregory XI’s death shortly after the return prompted the election of an Italian pope, Urban VI, sealing the end of the Avignon era.
However, the French cardinals disputed Urban VI’s election, triggering the Western Schism. The French elected an antipope, Clement VII, who returned the papacy to Avignon. This marked the start of some 40 years of schism, with rival popes in Rome and Avignon claiming legitimacy.
Consequences & Implications
The Avignon Papacy had lasting consequences for the Roman Catholic Church:
- Papal prestige, authority, and power were significantly damaged in the eyes of Christians.
- The independence and legitimacy of the papacy was compromised by its affiliation with France.
- Corruption and lax discipline spread through the French-dominated College of Cardinals and Curia.
- Italians felt marginalized within the Church as the French grew dominant.
- The papacy’s absence from Rome weakened ties to the Italian peninsula.
- The subsequent Western Schism further undermined confidence in papal authority for decades to come.
While the Avignon era brought great wealth and luxury to the papal court, it was widely viewed as a period of spiritual weakness, laxity, and shame for the institutional Church. The legitimacy and independence of the papacy had been severely compromised in the eyes of many faithful Catholics by this Babylonian Captivity.
Key Facts & Figures
- Duration: 1309-1376
- Number of Avignon popes: 7
- Avignon popes: Clement V, John XXII, Benedict XII, Clement VI, Innocent VI, Urban V, Gregory XI
- The only Avignon pope declared a saint: Peter of Morrone, Pope Celestine V (resigned after 5 months)
- All 7 Avignon popes were French
- The papal palace in Avignon was the largest Gothic building of the time
- Avignon papacy ended with Gregory XI’s return to Rome in 1376
- Followed by the Western Schism (1378-1417)
Key Bible Passages
The Bible does not directly address the Avignon Papacy, however, some passages provide relevant principles and lessons:
- “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1) – Christians should respect church authority, even if flawed.
- “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) – Spiritual warfare underlies visible struggles.
- “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:13) – Deception and corruption can arise, even in spiritual offices.
- “And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.” (Matthew 24:4) – Christians must be on guard against misleading leaders.
- “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” (Jeremiah 23:1) – God judges leaders who neglect or mislead His people.
While the Avignon Papacy was a challenging period for the Church, faithful Christians recognize that human institutions are flawed. Our ultimate hope remains in Christ and His infallible Church, not any one leader or office.
Key Figures
Some of the key figures involved in the Avignon Papacy include:
- Pope Clement V: The first pope to rule from Avignon, elected in 1305 under strong French influence. Refused to move to Rome.
- King Philip IV: King of France who strongly influenced Clement V. Pressured for suppression of Knights Templar to access their wealth.
- Pope John XXII: Second Avignon pope, elected 1316. Controversial for views on poverty and other issues.
- Pope Gregory XI: Last Avignon pope. Returned papacy to Rome in 1376 under urging from St. Catherine of Siena.
- St. Catherine of Siena: Mystic, theologian and Doctor of the Church who convinced Gregory XI to return to Rome.
- Urban VI: Pope after Gregory XI, elected 1378. His election triggered the Western Schism with French antipopes.
This core group exemplified the pressures, motivations, controversies, and influences swirling around the Avignon Papacy era.
Key Terms
- Avignon Papacy – The period from 1309-1376 during which popes resided in Avignon rather than Rome.
- Babylonian Captivity – Term used by critics to compare the Avignon Papacy to the exile of Jews in Babylon.
- Western Schism – Period after Avignon Papacy when rival popes reigned, until 1417.
- Antipope – Those who claimed the papacy without Church approval during the Schism.
- Papal curia – The central administration of the Catholic Church and departments that assist the pope.
- Papal legitimacy – The validity and authority of the pope’s rule in the eyes of the Church.
Conclusion
The Avignon Papacy represents an anomalous and controversial chapter in the history of the papacy. The removal of the papal court to France and the ensuing Italian exclusion weakened the prestige, legitimacy, and independence of the pope. Accusations of corruption and French political domination arose, damaging papal authority in the eyes of many Catholics. While pragmatic factors motivated the Avignon popes, the move appeared an abdication of spiritual responsibilities to critics. The Avignon era shows that even the highest human spiritual authorities can stray and falter. Our hope remains in Christ’s eternal Church, not any individual office holder.