Question

Passing of the civil constitution of the clergy

Answer 1

In July 1790 the National Constituent Assembly passed the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. In doing so, the Assembly sought to reorganise and regulate the Catholic church in France, eliminating corruption and abuses within the church. It also hoped to limit the church’s political influence by remaking French Catholicism as a state religion, subject to national law. The Civil Constitution reduced the number of bishops and archbishops, made the clergy paid employees of the government and required all members of the clergy to swear an oath of loyalty to the nation. The Civil Constitution became one of new regime’s most controversial, disruptive and divisive policies. It created more dissent and fuelled more opposition than any other reform. According to 19th century historian Thomas Carlyle, the Civil Constitution was “but an agreement to disagree. It divided France from end to end with a new split, infinitely complicating all the other splits.”

Answer 2

In July 1790 the National Constituent Assembly passed the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. In doing so, the Assembly sought to reorganise and regulate the Catholic church in France, eliminating corruption and abuses within the church. It also hoped to limit the church’s political influence by remaking French Catholicism as a state religion, subject to national law. The Civil Constitution reduced the number of bishops and archbishops, made the clergy paid employees of the government and required all members of the clergy to swear an oath of loyalty to the nation. The Civil Constitution became one of new regime’s most controversial, disruptive and divisive policies. It created more dissent and fuelled more opposition than any other reform. According to 19th century historian Thomas Carlyle, the Civil Constitution was “but an agreement to disagree. It divided France from end to end with a new split, infinitely complicating all the other splits