Civil Constitution of the Clergy

Definition

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was a law passed in July 1790 during the French Revolution that aimed to reorganize the Catholic Church in France. It established the principles of state control over the Church, including the election of bishops and priests by citizens, and required clergy to take an oath of loyalty to the state. This significant legislation created a deep divide between the revolutionary government and the Catholic Church, influencing public sentiment and church-state relations throughout the revolution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was part of broader revolutionary reforms aimed at reducing the power of the Catholic Church and promoting secularism in France.
2. Clergy members who accepted the Civil Constitution were known as 'jurors,' while those who rejected it were called 'non-jurors' or refractory clergy.
3. The law led to significant resistance from both clergy and devout Catholics, resulting in civil unrest and conflict in various regions of France.
4. Pope Pius VI condemned the Civil Constitution, leading to further tensions between revolutionary leaders and the Vatican.
5. The implementation of this law marked a turning point in church-state relations, ultimately shaping France's religious landscape for years to come.

Review Questions

• How did the Civil Constitution of the Clergy reflect the goals of the French Revolution regarding religion and state power?
  • The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was a clear indication of the French Revolution's goal to diminish the influence of the Catholic Church and assert state control over religious matters. By requiring clergy to be elected by citizens and demanding an oath of loyalty to the state, revolutionaries aimed to replace traditional religious authority with revolutionary ideals. This legislative act exemplified how revolutionaries sought to create a secular society where religion was subordinate to government authority, ultimately reshaping public life in France.
• Analyze how opposition to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy contributed to civil unrest during the French Revolution.
  • Opposition to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy fueled significant civil unrest as many clergy members and devout Catholics refused to accept its terms. The division between jurors and refractory clergy created tensions in communities, leading to protests, riots, and violent confrontations. This backlash not only illustrated deep-seated religious loyalties but also revealed how revolutionary reforms could lead to societal fragmentation, complicating the revolutionary government's efforts to unify France under its new ideals.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy on church-state relations in France and its significance in European history.
  • The Civil Constitution of the Clergy had profound long-term impacts on church-state relations in France, as it permanently altered how religion was perceived in relation to government authority. This law set a precedent for secular governance and laid groundwork for future conflicts between state policies and religious institutions. Its significance extends beyond France; it influenced debates on religious freedom and governance across Europe, serving as a reference point for later movements advocating for separation between church and state during periods of modernization and reform.

Related terms

Concordat of 1801: An agreement between Napoleon Bonaparte and Pope Pius VII that reestablished the Catholic Church in France after the upheavals of the Revolution, balancing church authority with state control.

Refractory Clergy: Clergy members who refused to accept the Civil Constitution of the Clergy and remained loyal to the Pope and traditional Catholic authority.

French Revolution: A period of radical social and political change in France from 1789 to 1799 that significantly altered the course of French history and had a profound impact on Europe as a whole.