Civil Constitution of Clergy

Definition

The Civil Constitution of Clergy was a law passed in 1790 during the French Revolution that restructured the Roman Catholic Church in France, bringing it under state control. This legislation established a national church and required clergy to swear allegiance to the state, leading to a deep divide between revolutionaries and traditionalists, as well as significant repercussions for religion in France and its relationship with the state.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Civil Constitution of Clergy mandated that all clergy members be elected by citizens rather than appointed by the pope, fundamentally altering church governance in France.
2. The law created a schism within the Catholic Church, as many clergy refused to take the loyalty oath to the state, leading to a division between 'constitutional' clergy and 'non-juring' clergy.
3. Pope Pius VI condemned the Civil Constitution of Clergy, which resulted in increased tensions between France and the Vatican and led many loyal Catholics to oppose the Revolution.
4. The Civil Constitution was part of broader efforts during the Revolution to reduce the power of the Catholic Church, which had been seen as a bastion of privilege and tradition.
5. This restructuring of the church significantly impacted religious practices in France, creating a crisis of faith among many believers and altering their relationship with both religion and government.

Review Questions

• How did the Civil Constitution of Clergy reflect the revolutionary ideals of the time?
  • The Civil Constitution of Clergy reflected revolutionary ideals by promoting secularism and reducing the power of traditional institutions like the Catholic Church. It aimed to democratize church governance by allowing citizens to elect clergy, aligning with the Enlightenment emphasis on individual rights and state sovereignty. This legislative move showcased the revolutionaries' desire to reshape society away from monarchical and religious influences toward a more rational and citizen-driven framework.
• Evaluate the consequences of the Civil Constitution of Clergy on French society and its relationship with religion.
  • The consequences of the Civil Constitution of Clergy were profound for French society, resulting in a significant rift between supporters of the Revolution and devout Catholics. The law prompted many clergy to refuse allegiance to the state, leading to widespread dissent within communities that felt alienated by these changes. As a result, traditional religious practices were disrupted, and conflict arose between constitutional clergy recognized by the state and non-juring clergy who remained loyal to the pope, leading to increased social tensions throughout France.
• Analyze how the implementation of the Civil Constitution of Clergy influenced subsequent relationships between church and state in France.
  • The implementation of the Civil Constitution of Clergy set a precedent for an adversarial relationship between church and state in France that persisted beyond the Revolution. By placing control of religious matters in the hands of government officials and mandating oaths of loyalty from clergy, it underscored a growing secularization trend. This struggle continued with later agreements like the Concordat of 1801 but was marked by ongoing tensions as both institutions vied for influence over French citizens' beliefs and practices, shaping modern secularism in France.

Related terms

Concordat of 1801:

An agreement between Napoleon Bonaparte and Pope Pius VII that reestablished the Catholic Church in France after the upheaval of the Revolution, allowing for a reconciliation between church and state.

Jacobin Club:

A radical political group during the French Revolution that advocated for extreme republicanism and was largely responsible for pushing revolutionary policies like the Civil Constitution of Clergy.

Gallicanism: A doctrine that emphasizes the independence of the French Catholic Church from papal authority, which became a contentious issue due to the Civil Constitution of Clergy.