Council of Pisa

Definition

The Council of Pisa was a meeting held in 1409 with the aim of resolving the Western Schism by deposing the rival popes, Gregory XII and Benedict XIII, and electing a new pope. This event was significant as it highlighted the deep divisions within the Catholic Church during a time when there were multiple claimants to the papacy, ultimately complicating efforts to restore unity in Christendom.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Council of Pisa was convened by cardinals disillusioned with both Pope Gregory XII and Pope Benedict XIII, seeking a resolution to the ongoing schism.
2. Despite its intention to end the schism, the Council resulted in the election of a third pope, Alexander V, which only intensified the division within the Church.
3. The Council was attended by representatives from various regions, showcasing the widespread concern over the legitimacy of multiple papacies and the desire for reform.
4. The actions taken at Pisa ultimately failed to resolve the conflict, leading to further councils and efforts, including the Council of Constance.
5. The failure of the Council of Pisa demonstrated the challenges faced by ecclesiastical authority and highlighted issues of legitimacy and governance within the Church during this turbulent period.

Review Questions

• How did the Council of Pisa attempt to address the issues created by the Western Schism?
  • The Council of Pisa aimed to resolve the Western Schism by deposing both rival popes, Gregory XII and Benedict XIII, while electing a new pope. This council brought together various cardinals who sought to unite Christendom under a single legitimate papacy. However, rather than resolving the schism, it resulted in the election of a third pope, Alexander V, which further complicated the situation and highlighted the ongoing divisions within the Church.
• Evaluate the outcomes of the Council of Pisa in relation to subsequent efforts to unify the papacy.
  • The outcomes of the Council of Pisa were largely unsuccessful in achieving its primary goal of unifying the papacy. Instead of resolving the schism, it added another claimant to the papal throne with Alexander V's election. This failure prompted further efforts at reconciliation through subsequent councils, particularly the Council of Constance, which ultimately succeeded in ending the schism by electing Pope Martin V. Thus, while Pisa was a critical step in attempting reform, it demonstrated how complex and entrenched divisions were at that time.
• Analyze how events like the Council of Pisa reflect broader issues in ecclesiastical authority during this period.
  • Events like the Council of Pisa reflect significant challenges in ecclesiastical authority during a time marked by competing claims to legitimacy within the Catholic Church. The council highlighted not only political maneuvering among church leaders but also deep-seated issues regarding governance and accountability within church hierarchy. The inability to achieve consensus or effective leadership revealed cracks in papal authority and indicated that structural reforms were necessary. This period ultimately paved the way for future changes within Christianity as calls for reform grew louder amid dissatisfaction with existing ecclesiastical practices.

Related terms

Western Schism: A split within the Catholic Church from 1378 to 1417, marked by a dispute over the rightful pope, resulting in multiple claimants to the papal throne.

Avignon Papacy: The period from 1309 to 1377 when seven successive popes resided in Avignon, France, instead of Rome, leading to a decline in papal authority and contributing to the Western Schism.

Council of Constance: A church council held from 1414 to 1418 that succeeded the Council of Pisa by ending the Western Schism and electing Pope Martin V, thereby restoring a single papacy.