King Philip IV of France played a crucial role in the events leading up to the Great Schism of the Catholic Church in the late 14th century. His actions were primarily driven by a desire for power and control over the Church, as well as financial motives.
In 1302, during a conflict with Pope Boniface VIII, Philip issued a series of statements asserting the supremacy of royal authority over the Church. He famously stated, ‘The crown is above the pope,’ which indicated his intention to limit papal influence in France. This complex relationship between the monarchy and the papacy set the stage for the schism.
Following Boniface VIII’s death, Philip managed to manipulate the election of the next pope. He influenced the conclave to choose Pope Clement V, a Frenchman, who then moved the papal residence from Rome to Avignon in 1309. This period, known as the Avignon Papacy, lasted nearly 70 years and created a perception that the papacy was under the control of the French monarchy.
Eventually, the tension over loyalties grew, and in 1378, the election of Urban VI in Rome was contested. A faction of cardinals declared Urban’s election invalid and elected an alternative pope, Clement VII, who resided in Avignon. This led to a divided Church, with two popes claiming legitimacy, thus marking the beginning of the Great Schism.
In summary, King Philip IV’s efforts to assert control over the Church and his influence in papal elections directly contributed to the schism, exacerbating divisions within the Catholic Church that would persist for decades.