Civil Constitution of the Clergy

• The National Assembly approved the Civil Constitution of the Clergy.
• The Civil Constitution of the Clergy reorganized the Catholic Church in France.
• Clergy members were required to take an oath of loyalty to the state and the new constitution.
• The Pope condemned the Civil Constitution of the Clergy.
• Many clergy refused to take the oath and were labeled as non-juring clergy.

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy (Constitution civile du clergé) was enacted by the National Constituent Assembly on 12 July 1790. It aimed to restructure the Catholic Church in France, bringing it under state control. This measure came amidst growing tensions between the revolutionary government and the Church, which was seen as an obstacle to the new order.

The Constitution mandated that bishops and priests be elected by the citizens, a departure from the traditional appointment by the Pope. This change was designed to democratize the Church and make it more accountable to the people. However, it also led to a schism within the clergy. Many bishops and priests refused to accept the new law, leading to the emergence of non-juring (refractory) clergy who remained loyal to the Pope, and juring clergy who complied with the new regulations.

Additionally, the Civil Constitution of the Clergy required clergy to swear an oath of loyalty to the state. This oath (serment de fidélité) was highly controversial, as it implied a rejection of papal authority. The Pope condemned the Constitution, further polarizing the French clergy and faithful. The resulting division played a significant role in escalating tensions between revolutionary and counter-revolutionary forces, leading to violent confrontations.

Financially, the Civil Constitution aimed to address the chronic fiscal crisis by nationalizing Church property. Lands owned by the Church were confiscated and sold (biens nationaux), generating revenue for the state but also causing widespread discontent among the clergy and their supporters. The loss of income and influence for the Church was profound and long-lasting.

In practical terms, the implementation of the Civil Constitution faced numerous difficulties. In regions like Vendée and Brittany, strong local opposition led to resistance, sometimes violent. These areas became hotbeds of counter-revolutionary activity, further complicating the government's efforts to stabilize the nation.

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy is often cited as a key factor in the deepening of the revolutionary crisis. By challenging the traditional role of the Church and its relationship with the people, it contributed to the radicalization of the Revolution and the eventual emergence of the Reign of Terror. The legacy of this legislation underscores the complex interplay between religion and politics during the tumultuous years of the French Revolution.

• The Civil Constitution of the Clergy, enacted on 12 July 1790, sought to bring the French Catholic Church under state control, fundamentally altering its relationship with the government.
• This law mandated that clergy members be elected by parishioners (instead of being appointed by the Pope) and required them to take an oath of loyalty to the nation, leading to a significant schism within the Church.
• Around half of the clergy in France refused to take the oath, which precipitated a split between those who supported the constitutional church and those who remained loyal to the Pope, often referred to as the 'non-jurors' or 'refractory priests'.
• The measure was seen by many as a direct attack on the power of the Catholic Church, which had traditionally held significant influence over French society and politics, leading to widespread unrest and protests.
• Pope Pius VI condemned the Civil Constitution and stated that those who would accept it were in a state of schism, further escalating tensions between the revolutionary government and the Vatican.