Revolutionary reforms to the Revolutionary reforms to the Catholic Church in France Catholic Church in France (and their consequences)(and their consequences)

Post-revolutionary reforms Post-revolutionary reforms concerning the Catholic Churchconcerning the Catholic Church

• National Constituent Assembly (NCA) National Constituent Assembly (NCA) - No aim to destroy Church- No aim to destroy Church

• Broad support from French clergy for Broad support from French clergy for reform of the Church in France reform of the Church in France (witnessable in (witnessable in CahiersCahiers))

NCA Reforms – from August NCA Reforms – from August 17891789• Abolition of First Estate privileges – no Abolition of First Estate privileges – no

compensationcompensation• Loss of income (feudal dues, tithe)Loss of income (feudal dues, tithe)• Not exempt from taxNot exempt from tax• Clergy paid by the state – civil servants – Clergy paid by the state – civil servants –

thus, broad acceptancethus, broad acceptance• 2 November 1789: Confiscation of church 2 November 1789: Confiscation of church

land to make up for State’s loss in revenueland to make up for State’s loss in revenue• However … revolution still accepted by However … revolution still accepted by

majority of clergymajority of clergy

NCA’s Civil Constitution of the NCA’s Civil Constitution of the Clergy - 12 July 1790Clergy - 12 July 1790

• Constitution reorganises the ChurchConstitution reorganises the Church• Church administration seen by the National Church administration seen by the National

Constituent Assembly as a state matterConstituent Assembly as a state matter• Some positive aspects – attempts to address Some positive aspects – attempts to address

the corruptions of the past (eg. Absenteeism, the corruptions of the past (eg. Absenteeism, pluralism, poverty of parish priests, etc.) and pluralism, poverty of parish priests, etc.) and to better organise the Church across France.to better organise the Church across France.

• BUT … democratised appointments (why an BUT … democratised appointments (why an issue?) and shuts out Pope (why an issue?).issue?) and shuts out Pope (why an issue?).

The oath of loyalty, 27 The oath of loyalty, 27 November 1790November 1790

• Some resistance from bishops to the Some resistance from bishops to the Civil ConstitutionCivil Constitution

• Division in the Church – chaos and Division in the Church – chaos and conflictconflict

• 27 November 1790 – NCA deems oath 27 November 1790 – NCA deems oath of loyalty to constitution a of loyalty to constitution a requirement of all priestsrequirement of all priests

• (As you will see) disastrous results for (As you will see) disastrous results for the revolutionthe revolution