Civil Constitution of the Clergy

Definition

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was a law passed in 1790 during the French Revolution that restructured the Catholic Church in France, bringing it under state control. It aimed to reduce the power of the Church by requiring clergy to take an oath of loyalty to the state, effectively turning bishops and priests into state employees. This move was part of the broader revolutionary effort to establish a secular government and diminish the influence of religious institutions in political matters.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was part of a broader attempt to secularize society and reduce the power held by religious institutions after years of conflict between the monarchy and the Church.
2. The law was met with significant resistance from both clergy and laypeople, leading to a schism within the French Catholic Church between those who accepted the constitution (jurors) and those who did not (non-jurors).
3. Pope Pius VI condemned the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, which escalated tensions between revolutionary France and the Papacy.
4. The implementation of this law led to violent conflicts, including riots and uprisings in rural areas where loyalty to traditional Catholicism remained strong.
5. Ultimately, the Civil Constitution of the Clergy contributed to a growing divide between revolutionary ideals and religious beliefs, further complicating relations between church and state in France.

Review Questions

• How did the Civil Constitution of the Clergy reflect the revolutionary goals of secularization in France?
  • The Civil Constitution of the Clergy directly embodied revolutionary aims by attempting to reduce the Church's influence on French politics and society. By bringing clergy under state control and requiring them to pledge loyalty to the government instead of Rome, it represented a significant move towards secularization. This action was intended to ensure that religion would no longer hold power over political decisions, aligning with Enlightenment ideas about individual rights and governance.
• Evaluate the impact that resistance to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy had on French society during the Revolution.
  • Resistance to the Civil Constitution led to deep divisions within French society, particularly between those who accepted its provisions and those who remained loyal to traditional Catholic teachings. This schism manifested in violent uprisings, particularly in rural areas where allegiance to local clergy was strong. The conflict also highlighted broader tensions between revolutionary ideals and established religious practices, leading to a backlash that fueled anti-revolutionary sentiment among devout Catholics and contributed to civil unrest.
• Assess how the Civil Constitution of the Clergy influenced future relationships between religion and state in France post-Revolution.
  • The Civil Constitution of the Clergy set a precedent for future interactions between religion and state in France by establishing a framework where state authority challenged ecclesiastical power. Its rejection by significant portions of the population revealed enduring loyalties to traditional religious structures. In later decades, this contentious relationship would continue to evolve, influencing debates around secularism, religious freedom, and government intervention in religious matters, shaping France's identity as a modern secular state.

Related terms

Constitutional Assembly: The assembly that governed France from 1789 to 1791, which was responsible for drafting the Constitution of 1791 and enacting various reforms, including the Civil Constitution of the Clergy.

Dechristianization: A campaign during the French Revolution aimed at reducing the influence of Christianity in public life, which included the closure of churches and the persecution of clergy.

Oath of Loyalty: An oath required by the Civil Constitution of the Clergy for all clergy members, pledging allegiance to the French government rather than to the Pope or the Vatican.