Babylonian Captivity

Definition

The Babylonian Captivity refers to the period from 1309 to 1377 when the papacy was relocated from Rome to Avignon, France. This shift marked a significant change in the Catholic Church's power dynamics and authority, leading to increased tensions and ultimately contributing to the Great Schism, a split within the Church that resulted in multiple claimants to the papacy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Babylonian Captivity began when Pope Clement V moved the papacy to Avignon, largely influenced by political pressures from the French crown.
2. During this period, many Italians resented the papacy's absence from Rome, which contributed to a growing sense of national identity and calls for reform within the Church.
3. The Avignon papacy is often criticized for its perceived corruption and nepotism, as popes were more concerned with political alliances than spiritual matters.
4. The Babylonian Captivity lasted for nearly 70 years and ended with Pope Gregory XI's return to Rome in 1377, which marked an attempt to restore papal authority.
5. The unresolved issues from the Babylonian Captivity ultimately laid the groundwork for the Great Schism that erupted shortly after Gregory XI's death, leading to further divisions within Christianity.

Review Questions

• How did the relocation of the papacy during the Babylonian Captivity affect its relationship with Rome?
  • The relocation of the papacy during the Babylonian Captivity significantly strained its relationship with Rome. As popes resided in Avignon instead of their traditional seat in Rome, many Romans felt abandoned and disillusioned with church leadership. This sense of betrayal fueled calls for reform and ultimately contributed to a growing divide between Italian supporters of a Roman papacy and those who favored the Avignon line.
• In what ways did the Babylonian Captivity contribute to the conditions that led to the Great Schism?
  • The Babylonian Captivity set in motion a series of events that directly led to the Great Schism. The long absence of popes from Rome weakened their authority and legitimacy in the eyes of many Christians. When Pope Gregory XI returned to Rome, his death soon after resulted in conflicting claims to the papacy, with one faction supporting a Roman pope while another favored an Avignon pope. This division created a crisis of legitimacy that ultimately resulted in multiple competing claims to papal authority.
• Evaluate how the events during the Babylonian Captivity influenced long-term changes within the Catholic Church and European society as a whole.
  • The events of the Babylonian Captivity significantly influenced long-term changes within both the Catholic Church and European society. The corruption associated with the Avignon papacy led to widespread criticism of ecclesiastical practices, paving the way for reform movements that would gain momentum in later centuries. Additionally, this period fostered a growing sense of nationalism among various European states, as they began to assert their own identities separate from papal influence. This shift contributed to rising tensions between secular rulers and religious authorities, shaping the future landscape of Christianity and governance in Europe.

Related terms

Avignon Papacy: The period during which seven consecutive popes resided in Avignon rather than in Rome, leading to questions about the legitimacy and authority of the papacy.

Great Schism: The division within the Catholic Church that began in 1378, resulting in the election of rival popes in Rome and Avignon, further complicating the Church's authority.

Papal Authority: The level of power and influence held by the pope over the Catholic Church and its followers, which was challenged during the Babylonian Captivity and the subsequent Great Schism.