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Definition:
The Great Western Schism lasted from 1378 through 1417 and was the result of first
two, and then later three different men claiming to be pope. The conflict started
after the 1378 death of Gregory XI, who had finally moved the papacy back to Rome from
Avignon. The cardinals charged with electing a successor chose Urban VI who turned out
to be unstable and power-hungry. Cardinals began to doubt the validity of the election
because, at the time, they were pressured by Roman mobs who demanded an Italian pope.
So, virtually the same group of cardinals left Rome and chose a new pope, Cardinal Robert of Geneva who adopted the name Clement VII. This provoked a schism because England, the Holy Roman Empire and most of Italy continued to support Urban VI (and even today he is regarded as having been validly elected), but France, Scotland, Spain, Sicily and Naples supported Clement (who set himself up at the old papal palace in Avignon). Urban and his successors have become designated the "Roman obedience" while Clement and his successors have become designated the "Avignon obedience."
This was obviously all very confusing for the various monasteries, parishes and religious orders who didn't know quite which pope to follow and which were under pressure from various political factions to choose sides. Efforts to resolve the conflict took a serious turn when members of both sides joined together at the Council of Pisa (1409) to depose both rival popes (one being Benedict XIII, successor of Clement and the other being Gregory XII, successor of Urban) and elect a new pope.
Unfortunately, the only people who accepted the decision of that Council were those who attended and the conflict continued with now three popes competing for obedience. The conflict was finally settled at the Council of Constance (1414-1418), called by Gregory XII. His only condition was that the Council accept his authority to call it; thereafter he immediately resigned his position. John XXIII, successor of Alexander, was deposed and Benedict simply fled. Elected at this time was Martin V.
Also Known As: Great Western Schism, Great Schism of the West
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
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