Week 15- The position of the Church; the Concordat and its aftermath Flashcards
What was the position of the church up to 1800?
There was tension between church and government- seen through the catholic rising in the vendee.
The papacy was influential throughout Europe.
The church as a whole opposed the revolution.
Religion was closely associated with the ancien regime and absolute monarchy.
What would be the advantages of signing the concordat?
Give Napoleon another means of control and achieve aims in social order.
Bring stability and gain the support of Catholics.
Encouraged nobles and emigrees who had fled France to return and practice religion and regain their lands.
Why would the concordat help to achieve Napoleon’s aims in social order?
Religion was a peaceful force as it justified the inequalities that were present within society. This encouraged acceptance in the working class and prevented major uprisings.
How was the papacy in Rome happy to sign the concordat?
France was surrounding Rome and forming republics.
By 1802, Napoleon was within Rome and controlling the city.
This posed a threat to the power of the catholic church.
When was the accession of the new Pope Pius VII?
1800
What was the significance of the accession of Pope Pius VII?
He was much less aggressive and more spiritual.
Provided an excuse for reconciliation and a change in relationship.
When were the negotiations for the Concordat?
July 1801
When were the terms of agreement published?
Easter Sunday 1802
When was the conclusion of the Peace of Amiens?
March 1802
What was the significance of the peace of Amiens?
A temporary break from war reduced lingering support for Jacobins who opposed the religious change.
The Pope was also unlikely to get any military support from foreign powers to oppose Napoleon.
When was the concordat signed?
15th July 1801
What were the main agreements in the concordat?
- The Pope was recognised as the ‘head of the catholic church’.
- Catholicism was recognised as the ‘religion of the majority’.
- Catholic worship became freely available.
- The Pope recognised the new regime in France and promised not to try to reclaim church lands.
- Bishops and clergy were nominated by the First Consul.
- Clergy continued to take an oath of loyalty.
What accompanied the concordat when it was published?
The ‘Organic Articles’
What were the organic articles?
Agreements implemented without the overview of Pope Pius.
What did the organic articles introduce?
Any teachers who trained priests had to be French.
Guaranteed religious toleration to nearly 700,000 Protestants and 40,000 Jews living in France.
Protestant ministers and Catholic priests were to be paid the same.
