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Schism Help support New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download or CDROM. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more — all for only $19.99... Schism (from the Greek schisma, rent, division) is, in the language of theology and canon law, the rupture of ecclesiastical union and unity, i.e. either the act by which one of the faithful severs as far as in him lies the ties which bind him to the social organization of the Church and make him a member of the mystical body of Christ, or the state of dissociation or separation which is the result of that act. In this etymological and full meaning the term occurs in the books of the New Testament. By this name St. Paul characterizes and condemns the parties formed in the community of Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:12): "I beseech you, brethren", he writes, ". . . that there be no schisms among you; but that you be perfect in the same mind, and in the same judgment" (ibid., i, 10). The union of the faithful, he says elsewhere, should manifest itself in mutual understanding and convergent action similar to the harmonious cooperation of our members which God hath tempered "that there might be no schism in the body" (1 Corinthians 12:25). Thus understood, schism is a genus which embraces two distinct species: heretical or mixed schism and schism pure and simple. The first has its source in heresy or joined with it, the second, which most theologians designate absolutely as schism, is the rupture of the bond of subordination without an accompanying persistent error, directly opposed to a definite dogma. This distinction was drawn by St. Jerome and St. Augustine. "Between heresy and schism", explains St. Jerome, "there is this difference, that heresy perverts dogma, while schism, by rebellion against the bishop, separates from the Church. Nevertheless there is no schism which does not trump up a heresy to justify its departure from the Church (In Ep. ad Tit., iii, 10). And St. Augustine: "By false doctrines concerning God heretics wound faith, by iniquitous dissensions schismatics deviate from fraternal charity, although they believe what we believe" (On Faith and the Creed 9). But as St. Jerome remarks, practically and historically, heresy and schism nearly always go hand in hand; schism leads almost invariably to denial of the papal primacy. Schism, therefore, is usually mixed, in which case, considered from a moral standpoint, its perversity is chiefly due to the heresy which forms part of it. In its other aspect and as being purely schism it is contrary to charity and obedience; to the former, because it severs the ties of fraternal charity, to the latter, because the schismatic rebels against the

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    SchismHelpsupportNewAdventandgetthefullcontentsofthiswebsiteasaninstantdownloadorCDROM.IncludestheCatholicEncyclopedia,ChurchFathers,Summa,Bibleandmoreallforonly$19.99...

    Schism(fromtheGreekschisma,rent,division)is,inthelanguageoftheologyandcanonlaw,theruptureofecclesiasticalunionandunity,i.e.eithertheactbywhichoneofthefaithfulseversasfarasinhimliesthetieswhichbindhimtothesocialorganizationoftheChurchandmakehimamemberofthemysticalbodyofChrist,orthestateofdissociationorseparationwhichistheresultofthatact.InthisetymologicalandfullmeaningthetermoccursinthebooksoftheNewTestament.BythisnameSt.PaulcharacterizesandcondemnsthepartiesformedinthecommunityofCorinth(1Corinthians1:12):"Ibeseechyou,brethren",hewrites,"...thattherebenoschismsamongyoubutthatyoubeperfectinthesamemind,andinthesamejudgment"(ibid.,i,10).Theunionofthefaithful,hesayselsewhere,shouldmanifestitselfinmutualunderstandingandconvergentactionsimilartotheharmoniouscooperationofourmemberswhichGodhathtempered"thattheremightbenoschisminthebody"(1Corinthians12:25).Thusunderstood,schismisagenuswhichembracestwodistinctspecies:hereticalormixedschismandschismpureandsimple.Thefirsthasitssourceinheresyorjoinedwithit,thesecond,whichmosttheologiansdesignateabsolutelyasschism,istheruptureofthebondofsubordinationwithoutanaccompanyingpersistenterror,directlyopposedtoadefinitedogma.ThisdistinctionwasdrawnbySt.JeromeandSt.Augustine."Betweenheresyandschism",explainsSt.Jerome,"thereisthisdifference,thatheresypervertsdogma,whileschism,byrebellionagainstthebishop,separatesfromtheChurch.NeverthelessthereisnoschismwhichdoesnottrumpupaheresytojustifyitsdeparturefromtheChurch(InEp.adTit.,iii,10).AndSt.Augustine:"ByfalsedoctrinesconcerningGodhereticswoundfaith,byiniquitousdissensionsschismaticsdeviatefromfraternalcharity,althoughtheybelievewhatwebelieve"(OnFaithandtheCreed9).ButasSt.Jeromeremarks,practicallyandhistorically,heresyandschismnearlyalwaysgohandinhandschismleadsalmostinvariablytodenialofthepapalprimacy.

    Schism,therefore,isusuallymixed,inwhichcase,consideredfromamoralstandpoint,itsperversityischieflyduetotheheresywhichformspartofit.Initsotheraspectandasbeingpurelyschismitiscontrarytocharityandobediencetotheformer,becauseitseversthetiesoffraternalcharity,tothelatter,becausetheschismaticrebelsagainstthe

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    Divinelyconstitutedhierarchy.However,noteverydisobedienceisaschisminordertopossessthischaracteritmustincludebesidesthetransgressionofthecommandsofsuperiors,denialoftheirDivinerighttocommand.Ontheotherhand,schismdoesnotnecessarilyimplyadhesion,eitherpublicorprivate,toadissentinggrouporadistinctsect,muchlessthecreationofsuchagroup.Anyonebecomesaschismaticwho,thoughdesiringtoremainaChristian,rebelsagainstlegitimateauthority,withoutgoingasfarastherejectionofChristianityasawhole,whichconstitutesthecrimeofapostasy.

    FormerlyamanwasrightlyconsideredaschismaticwhenhedisregardedtheauthorityofhisownbishophencethewordsofSt.Jeromequotedabove.BeforehimSt.Cyprianhadsaid:"ItmustbeunderstoodthatthebishopisintheChurchandtheChurchinthebishopandheisnotintheChurchwhoisnotwiththebishop"(Epist.,lxvi,8).Longbefore,St.IgnatiusofAntiochlaiddownthisprinciple:"Wherethebishopisthereisthecommunity,evenaswhereChrististhereistheCatholicChurch"(Smyrnans8.2).Nowthroughthecentralizingevolutionwhichemphasizesthepreponderantrleofthesovereignpontiffintheconstitutionofecclesiasticalunity,themerefactofrebellingagainstthebishopofthedioceseisoftenasteptowardschismitisnotaschisminhimwhoremains,orclaimstoremain,subjecttotheHolySee.Inthematerialsenseofthewordthereisschism,thatisruptureofthesocialbody,ifthereexisttwoormoreclaimantsofthepapacy,eachofwhomhasonhissidecertainappearancesofrightandconsequentlymoreorlessnumerouspartisans.Butunderthesecircumstancesgoodfaithmay,atleastforatime,preventaformalschismthisbeginswhenthelegitimacyofoneofthepontiffsbecomessoevidentastorenderadhesiontoarivalinexcusable.SchismisregardedbytheChurchasamostseriousfault,andispunishedwiththepenaltiesinflictedonheresy,becauseheresyusuallyaccompaniesit.Theseare:excommunicationincurredipsofactoandreservedtothesovereignpontiff(cf."ApostolicSedis",I,3)thisisfollowedbythelossofallordinaryjurisdictionandincapacitytoreceiveanyecclesiasticalbeneficesordignitieswhatsoever.Tocommunicateinsacriswithschismatics,e.g.,toreceivethesacramentsatthehandsoftheirministers,toassistatDivineOfficesintheirtemples,isstrictlyforbiddentothefaithful.

    Sometheologiansdistinguish"active"from"passive"schism.BytheformertheyunderstanddetachingoneselfdeliberatelyfromthebodyoftheChurch,freelyrenouncingtherighttoformapartofit.TheycallpassiveschismtheconditionofthosewhomtheChurchherselfrejectsfromherbosombyexcommunication,inasmuchastheyundergothisseparationwhethertheywillorno,havingdeservedit.Hence,thisarticlewilldealdirectlyonlywithactiveschism,whichisschismproperlysocalled.Itisneverthelessclearthatsocalledpassiveschismnotonlydoesnotexcludetheother,butoftensupposesitinfactandtheory.FromthispointofviewitisimpossibletounderstandtheattitudeofProtestantswhoclaimtoholdtheChurchtheyabandonedresponsiblefortheirseparation.ItisprovedbyallthehistoricalmonumentsandespeciallybythewritingsofLutherandCalvinthat,priortotheanathemapronouncedagainstthemattheCouncilofTrent,the

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    leadersoftheReformationhadproclaimedandrepeatedthattheRomanChurchwas"theBabylonoftheApocalypse,thesynagogueofSatan,thesocietyofAntichrist"thattheymustthereforedepartfromitandthattheydidsoinordertoreenterthewayofsalvation.Andinthistheysuitedtheactiontotheword.Thustheschismwaswellconsummatedbythembeforeitwassolemnlyestablishedbytheauthoritywhichtheyrejectedandtransformedbythatauthorityintoajustpenalsanction.

    SchisminthelightofScriptureandtradition

    Asschisminitsdefinitionandfullsenseisthepracticaldenialofecclesiasticalunity,theexplanationoftheformerrequiresacleardefinitionofthelatter,andtoprovethenecessityofthelatteristoestablishtheintrinsicmaliceoftheformer.IndeedthetextsofScriptureandTraditionshowtheseaspectsofthesametruthtobesocloselyunitedthatpassagefromonetotheotherisconstantandspontaneous.WhenChristbuiltonPeterasonanunshakablefoundationtheindestructibleedificeofHisChurchHetherebyindicateditsessentialunityandespeciallythehierarchicalunity(Matthew16:18).HeexpressedthesamethoughtwhenHereferredtothefaithfulasaKingdomandasaflock:"OthersheepIhave,thatarenotofthisfold:themalsoImustbring,andtheyshallhearmyvoice,andthereshallbeonefoldandoneshepherd"(John10:16).UnityoffaithandworshipismoreexplicitlyindicatedbythewordsoutliningthesolemnmissionoftheApostles:"Goingtherefore,teachyeallnationsbaptizingtheminthenameoftheFather,andoftheSonandoftheHolyGhost"(Matthew28:19).ThesevariousformsofunityaretheobjectoftheprayeraftertheLastSupper,whenChristpraysforHisownandasks"thattheymaybeone"astheFatherandtheSonareone(John17:21,22).ThosewhoviolatethelawsofunityshallbecomestrangerstoChristandhisspiritualfamily:"AndifhewillnotheartheChurch,lethimbetotheeastheheathenandpublican"(Matthew18:17).

    InfaithfulimitationofhisMaster'steachingSt.PauloftenreferstotheunityoftheChurch,describingitasoneedifice,onebody,abodybetweenwhosemembersexiststhesamesolidarityasbetweenthemembersofthehumanbody(1Corinthians12Ephesians4).Heenumeratesitsvariousaspectsandsources:"ForinoneSpiritwereweallbaptizedintoonebody,...andinoneSpiritwehaveallbeenmadetodrink"(1Corinthians12:13)"Forwe,beingmany,areonebread,onebody,allthatpartakeofonebread"(1Corinthians10:17).Hesumsitupinthefollowingformula:"OnebodyandoneSpirit...oneLord,onefaith,onebaptism"(Ephesians4:45).Finallyhearrivesatthelogicalconclusionwhenheanathematizesdoctrinalnoveltiesandtheauthorsofthem(Galatians1:9),likewisewhenhewritestoTitus:"Amanthatisaheretic,afterthefirstandsecondadmonition,avoid"(Titus3:10)andagainwhenhesoenergeticallycondemnsthedissensionsofthecommunityofCorinth:"Therearecontentionsamongyou....everyoneofyousaith:IamindeedofPaulandIamofApolloandIofCephasandIofChrist.IsChristdivided?WasPaulthencrucifiedforyou?OrwereyoubaptizedinthenameofPaul?"(1Corinthians1:1113)."Now,Ibeseechyou,brethren,bythenameof

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    ourLordJesusChrist,thatyouallspeakthesamething,andthattherebenoschismsamongyoubutthatyoubeperfectinthesamemind,andinthesamejudgment"(1Corinthians1:10).St.Lukespeakinginpraiseoftheprimitivechurchmentionsitsunanimityofbelief,obedience,andworship:"Theywereperseveringinthedoctrineoftheapostles,andinthecommunicationofthebreakingofbread,andinprayers"(Acts2:42).AllthefirstEpistleofSt.JohnisdirectedagainstcontemporaryinnovatorsandschismaticsandtheauthorregardsthemassoforeigntotheChurchthatincontrasttoitsmembers"theChildrenofGod",hecallsthem"thechildrenofthedevil",(1John3:10)thechildren"oftheworld"(iv,5),evenAntichrist(ii,22iv,3).

    ThesamedoctrineisfoundinalltheevidencesofTradition,beginningwiththeoldest.BeforetheendofthefirstcenturySt.ClementwritingtotheChurchofCorinthinordertorestorepeaceandharmonystronglyinculcatesthenecessityofsubmissiontothe"hegoumenos"(Epistle1.3),"totheguidesofoursouls"(lxiii,1),andtothe"presbyters"(xlvii,6liv,2lvii,1).Itis,sayshe,a"gravesin"todisregardtheirauthorityastheCorinthiansaredoing(xliv,3,4,6xlvii,6)itisadutytohonourthem(i,3xxi,6).TheremustbenodivisioninthebodyofChrist,xlvi,6.ThefundamentalreasonofallthisistheDivinelyinstitutedhierarchicalorder.TheworkofChristisinfactcontinuedbytheApostles,whoaresentbyChristasHewassentbyGod(xlii,1,2).Itwastheywhoestablishedthe"episcopi"anddeacons"(xlii,4)anddecidedthatothersshouldsucceedthemintheirministry(xliv,2).Hethusexplainsthegravityofthesinandtheseverityofthereproachesaddressedtothefomentersofthetroubles."Whyshouldtherebeamongyoudisputes,quarrels,dissensions,schisms,andwar?HavewenotoneandthesameGod,oneandthesameChrist?Isitnotthesamespiritofgracethathasbeenpouredoutuponus?HavewenotacommonvocationinChrist?Wherefore,divideandseparatethemembersofChrist,beatwarwithourownbody,besofoolishastoforgetthatwearemembersofoneanother?"(xlvi,57).St.Ignatiusinsistsnolessforciblyonthenecessityofunityandthedangerofschism.Heisthefirstauthorinwhomwefindepiscopalunityclearlyoutlined,andhebeseechesthefaithfultorangethemselvesaboutthe"presbyters"andthedeaconsandespeciallythroughthemandwiththemaboutthebishop:"Itisfittingthatyoubeofonemindwiththebishop,asyouare,becauseyourvenerablepresbyteriumisattachedtothebishopasthestringstothelyre"(Ephesians6:1)"youmustnottakeadvantageoftheageofyourbishop,but,beingmindfulofthepowerofGodtheFather,youshouldshowhimeverymannerofrespect,asdotheholypriests"(Magnesians3.1).ThebishopisthecentreandpivotoftheChurch:"Whereheisthereshouldthecommunitybe"(Smyrnans11.1).Thedutiesofthefaithfultowardsthehierarchyaresummedupinone:tobeunitedtoitinsentiment,faith,andobedience.Theymustbealwayssubmissivetothebishop,thepresbyterium,andthedeacons(Ephesians2.2,5.3and20.2Magnesians2,3.1,6.12,13.2Trallians2.12and13.2Philadelphians7.1Smyrnans8.1Polycarp6.1).JesusChristbeingthewordoftheFatherandthebishopbeinginthedoctrineofChrist(enIesouchristougnome)itisfittingtoadheretothedoctrineofthebishop(Ephesians3:24:1)"ThosewhobelongtoGodandJesusChrist

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    allythemselveswiththebishop.Brethren,benotdeceivedwhosoeverfollowsaschismaticshallnotinherittheKingdomofHeaven"(Philadelphians3.23).Finally,asthebishopisthedoctrinalanddisciplinarycentresoheistheliturgicalcentre:"LetthatEucharistbelawfulwhichisconsecratedbythebishoporonedeputedbyhim....ItisforbiddentobaptizeorcelebratetheagapewithoutthebishopwhatheapprovesiswhatispleasingtoGod,inorderthatallthatisdonemaybestableandvalid"(Smyrnans8.12).

    TowardstheendofthesecondcenturySt.IrenuslaudsinglowingtermstheunityofthatuniversalChurch"whichhasbutoneheartandonesoul,whosefaithisinkeeping"andwhichseems"asthesolesunilluminatingthewholeworld"(AgainstHeresies1.10).Hecondemnsalldoctrinaldivision,basinghisargumentsontheteachingauthorityoftheChurchingeneralandoftheRomanChurchinparticular.Thedoctrineofsalvation,preachedbytheApostles,ispreservedintheChurchesfoundedbythembutsinceitwouldtaketoolongtoquestionalltheApostolicChurchesitissufficienttoturntothatofRome:"FortheentireChurchthatisallthefaithfulintheworld,shouldbeinagreementwiththisRomanChurch,becauseofitssuperiorpreeminenceandinitallthefaithfulhavepreservedtheApostolictradition"(iii,2,3).ItisthereforeoftheutmostnecessitytoadheretothisChurchbecausewheretheChurchis,thereistheSpiritofGod,andwheretheSpiritofGodisthereistheChurch,thereisallgraceandthespiritistruth(iii,24).ButtoadheretothisChurchistosubmittothehierarchy,itslivingandinfalliblemagistracy:"ThepriestsoftheChurcharetobeobeyed,thosewhoarethesuccessorsoftheApostlesandwhowiththeepiscopalsuccessionhavereceivedanassuredcharismaoftruth....ThosewholeavethesuccessorsoftheApostlesandassembleinanyseparatedplacemustberegardedwithsuspicionorasheretics,asmenofevildoctrines,orasschismatics.ThosewhorendtheunityoftheChurchreceivetheDivinechastisementawardedtoJeroboamtheymustallbeavoided"(iv,26).

    AtthebeginningofthethirdcenturyClementofAlexandriadescribestheChurchasthecityoftheLogoswhichmustbesoughtbecauseitistheassemblageofallthosewhomGoddesirestosave(StromataIV.20andVII.5"Pdag.",i,6iii,12).OrigenismoreexplicitforhimalsotheChurchisthecityofGod(AgainstCelsusIII.30),andheadds:"Letnoonebedeceivedoutsidethisabode,thatisoutsidetheChurch,nooneissaved.Ifanyoneleavesithehimselfshallbeaccountableforhisdeath"(Inlib.JesuNave,Hom.,iii,5).InAfricaTertullianlikewisecondemnsallseparationfromtheexistingChurch.His"Deprscriptionibus"isfamous,andthefundamentalthesisofthework,inferredbyitsverytitle,issummedupinthepriorityoftruthandtherelativenoveltyoferror(principalitatemveritatisetposteritatemmendacii),thusimplyingtheprohibitiontowithdrawfromtheguidanceofthelivingmagisterium:"IftheLordJesusChristsentHisApostlestopreachweconcludethatwemustnotreceiveotherpreachersthanthoseappointedbyHim.Whattheyhavepreached,inotherwords,whatChristhasrevealedtothem,canonlybeestablishedbytheChurchesfoundedbytheApostlesthemselves,towhichtheypreachedtheGospelbywordandwriting"(Deprscr.,xxi).

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    ButthegreatAfricanchampionofecclesiasticalunitywasSt.Cyprian,againsttheschismaticsofRomeaswellasthoseofCarthage.Heconceivedthisunityasreposingontheeffectiveauthorityofthebishops,theirmutualunion,andthepreeminenceoftheRomanpontiff:"Godisone,Christisone,oneistheChurch,andonethechairfoundedonPeterbythewordoftheLord"(Epist.lxx)"ThisunitywebishopswhogovernintheChurchshouldfirmlyupholdanddefend,inordertoshowthattheepiscopateitselfisoneandundivided"(Deecclesiunit.,v)"KnowthatthebishopisintheChurchandtheChurchinthebishop,andthatifanyoneisnotwiththebishopheisnotintheChurch....TheCatholicChurchisone,formedoftheharmoniousunionofpastorswhomutuallysupportoneanother"(Epist.lxxvi,5).Tounityoffaithmustbejoinedliturgicalunity:"Asecondaltarandanewpriesthoodcannotbesetupbesidetheonealtarandtheonepriesthood"(Epist.lii,24).Cypriansawnolegitimatereasonforschismfor"whatrascal,whattraitor,whatmadmanwouldbesomisledbythespiritofdiscordastobelievethatitispermittedtorend,orwhowoulddarerendtheDivineunity,thegarmentoftheLord,theChurchofJesusChrist?"(Deeccl.,unit.,viii)"ThespouseofChristischasteandincorruptible.WhoeverleavestheChurchtofollowanadulteressrenouncesthepromisesoftheChurch.HethatabandonstheChurchofChristwillnotreceivetherewardsofChrist.Hebecomesastranger,anungodlyman,anenemy.GodcannotbeaFathertohimtowhomtheChurchisnotamother.AswellmightonebesavedoutofthearkofNoahasoutoftheChurch....HewhodoesnotrespectitsunitywillnotrespectthelawofGodheiswithoutfaithintheFatherandtheSon,withoutlife,withoutsalvation"(op.cit.,viii).

    FromthefourthcenturythedoctrineoftheunityoftheChurchwassoclearlyanduniversallyadmittedthatitisalmostsuperfluoustoquoteparticulartestimonies.ThelengthypolemicsofOptatusofMilevis("Deschism.Don.",P.L.,XI)andofSt.Augustine(especiallyin"Deunit.eccl.",P.L.,XLIII)againsttheDonatistsaccusethesesectariesofbeingseparatedfromtheancientandprimitivetrunkofChristianity.AndtothosewhorepresentedtheirgroupasaportionoftheuniversalChurchSt.Augustinereplied:"IfyouareincommunionwiththeChristianworldsendletterstotheApostolicChurchesandshowustheirreplies"(Ep.,xliv,3).Theseletters(litterformat)thenconstitutedoneoftheauthenticmarksandelementsofvisibleunity.Concerningthisunitythevariousformsofwhichheexplains,St.AugustineagreeswithSt.Cyprianinmaintainingthatoutsideofitthereisnosalvation:"Salusextraecclesiamnonest"(Debapt.,iv,24),andheaddsinconfirmationofthisthatoutsidetheChurchthemeansofsalvation,baptism,andevenmartyrdomwillavailnothing,theHolyGhostnotbeingcommunicated.DuringthesamecenturyRomansupremacybegantobeemphasizedasafactorofunity.JesusChrist,saysSt.Optatus,desiredtoattachunitytoadefinitecentretothisendHemade"PetertheheadofalltheApostlestohimHefirstgavetheepiscopalseeofRome,inwhichsoleseeunityshouldbepreservedforallheisthereforeasinnerandaschismaticwhowoulderectanotherseeinoppositiontoit"(Deschism.Don.,ii,2)"SolicitudeforassuringunitycausedblessedPetertobepreferredbeforealltheApostlesandtoreceivealonethekeysoftheKingdomofHeaventhathemightadmitothers"(vii,3).Pacianusof

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    BarcelonaalsosaysthatChristgavetoPeteralonethepowerofthekeys"tomakehimalonethefoundationandbeginningofunity"(adunumideoutunitatemfundaretexunoEpist.,iii,11).

    MostcontemporarywritersintheLatinChurch,Hilary,Victorinus,St.Ambrose,theAmbrosiaster,St.Jerome,speakinlikemannerandquiteasexplicitly.AllregardPeterasthefoundationoftheChurch,thePrinceoftheApostleswhowasmadeperpetualheadinordertocutshortanyattemptatschism."WherePeteris,"concludesSt.Ambrose,"thereistheChurchwheretheChurchisthereisnodeathbuteternallife"(InPs.,xl,30).AndSt.Jerome:"ThatmanismychoicewhoremainsinunionwiththechairofPeter"(Epist.,xvi,2).Bothdeclare,likeSt.Optatus,thattobeoutoftheRomancommunionistobeoutoftheChurch,buttheylayespecialemphasisonthejurisdictionalandteachingauthorityofthecentreofunity.Theirtextsareclassics:"Wemusthaverecoursetoyourclemency,beseechingyounottolettheheadofalltheRomanworld,theRomanChurch,andthemostholyApostolicFaithbedisturbedforthenceallderivetherightsoftheCatholiccommunion"(Ambrose,"Ep.",xi,4)."IwhofollownoguidesaveChristamincommunionwithYourHoliness,thatiswiththechairofPeter.IknowthatonthisrocktheChurchisbuilt.WhosoeverpartakesoftheLamboutsidethishousecommitsasacrilege.Whosoeverdoesnotgatherwithyou,scatters:inotherwordswhosoeverisnotwithChristiswithAntichrist"(Jerome,"Epist.",xv,2).

    TheEastalsosawinPeterandtheepiscopalseefoundedbyhimthekeystoneofunity.DidymuscallsPeter"thecorypheus,thehead,whowasfirstamongtheApostles,throughwhomtheothersreceivedthekeys"(DeTrinit.,i,27,30ii,10,18).Epiphaniusalsoregardshimas"thecorypheusoftheApostles,thefirmstoneonwhichreststheunshakablefaith"("Anchor.",ix,34"Hr.",lix,7,8)andSt.ChrysostomspeaksunceasinglyoftheprivilegesconferredonPeterbyChrist.MoreovertheGreeksrecognizedintheRomanChurchapreeminenceandconsequentlyanincontestableunifyingrlebyacknowledgingherrighttointerveneinthedisputesoftheparticularChurches,asisprovedbythecasesofAthanasius,MarcellusofAncyra,andChrysostom.InthissenseSt.GregoryNazianzencallsancientRome"thepresidentoftheuniverse,tenproeodrontonolon"(Carmendevitasua),anditisalsothereasonwhyeventheEusebianswerewillingthatthecaseofAthanasius,aftertheyhadpassedonit,shouldbesubmittedtothepope'sjudgment(Athan.,"Apol.contraArian",20).

    Attemptstolegitimizeschism

    Theforegoingtextsaresufficienttoestablishthegravityofschismfromthestandpointoftheeconomyofsalvationandmorals.InthisconnectionitmaybeofinteresttoquotetheappreciationofBayle,awriterabovesuspicionofpartialityandatolerantjudge:"Iknownot,"hewrites,"amoregrievouscrimethanthatoftearingthemysticalbodyofJesusChrist,HischurchwhichHepurchasedwithHisownblood,thatmotherwhichboreustoGod,whonourishesuswiththemilkofunderstanding,wholeadsustoeternallife"

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    (SupplementtoPhilosophicalComment,preface).

    VariousmotiveshavebeenbroughtforwardinjustificationofSchism:

    (1)SomehaveclaimedtheintroductionintotheChurchofabuses,dogmaticandliturgicalnovelties,superstitions,withwhichtheyarepermitted,evenbound,nottoallythemselves.Withoutenteringintothefoundationforthesechargesitshouldbenotedthattheauthorscitedabovedonotmentionoradmitasingleexception.IfweaccepttheirstatementsseparationfromtheChurchisnecessarilyanevil,aninjuriousandblameworthyact,andabandoningofthetruewayofsalvation,andthisindependentofallcontingentcircumstances.MoreoverthedoctrinesoftheFathersexcludeapriorianysuchattemptatjustificationtousetheirwords,itisforbiddenforindividualsorparticularornationalChurchestoconstitutethemselvesjudgesoftheuniversalChurchthemerefactofhavingitagainstonecarriesitsowncondemnation.St.AugustinesummedupallhiscontroversywiththeDonatistsinthemaxim:"Thewholeworldunhesitatinglydeclaresthemwrongwhoseparatethemselvesfromthewholeworldinwhatsoeverportionofthewholeworld"(quaproptersecurusjudicatorbisterrarumbonosnonessequisedividuntaborbeterrarum,inquacumqueparteorbisterrarum).HereBaylemaybequotedagain:"Protestantsbringforwardonlyquestionablereasonstheyoffernothingconvincing,nodemonstration:theyproveandobject,buttherearerepliestotheirproofsandobjectionstheyanswerandareansweredendlesslyisitworthwhiletomakeaschism?"(Dict.crit.,art.Nihusius).

    (2)OtherschismaticshavepleadedthedivisionofthearticlesoftheCreedintofundamentalandnonfundamental.UnderFUNDAMENTALARTICLESitisshownthatthisdistinction,whollyunknownpriortothesixteenthcentury,andrepugnanttotheveryconceptionofDivinefaith,iscondemnedbyScripture,and,forwantofaclearlineofdemarcation,authorizesthemostmonstrousdivergences.TheindispensableunityoffaithextendstoallthetruthsrevealedbyGodandtransmittedbytheApostles.Traditionrepeats,thoughindifferentforms,allthatIrenuswrote:"TheChurchspreadeverywherethroughouttheworldreceivedfromtheApostlesandtheirdisciplesfaithinoneGod"(herefollowthewordsoftheCreed),thenthewritercontinues:"Depositaryofthispreachingandthisfaith,theChurchwhichmultipliesthroughouttheworld,watchesthemasdiligentlyasthoughshedweltinonehouse.Shebelievesunanimouslyinthesethingsasthoughshehadbutoneheartandsoulshepreachesthem,teachesthem,andbearswitnesstothemasthoughshehadbutonemouth.Thoughthereareintheworlddifferentlanguagesthereisbutonesingleandidenticalcurrentoftradition.NeithertheChurchesfoundedinGaul,northoseamongtheIberians,northoseinthecountriesoftheCelts,northoseintheEast,northoseofEgypt,northoseofLybia,northoseinthecentreoftheworldpresentanydifferencesoffaithorpreachingbutasthesuncreatedbyGod,isoneandthesamethroughouttheworld,soasinglelight,asinglepreachingofthetruth,illuminateseveryplaceandenlightensallmenwhowishtoattaintotheknowledgeoftruth"(Adv.Hr.,i,10).IthasbeenshownabovehowtheBishopofLyonsdeclaredthat

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    thecontinuatorsoftheApostolicministrywerethe"presbytersoftheChurch",andthatamanwasaChristianandaCatholiconlyonconditionofobeyingthemwithoutreserve.

    (3)ThetheoryofthehappymediumorviamediaadvocatedbytheAnglicans,especiallybytheOxfordleadersoftheearlynineteenthcenturyasameansofescapefromthedifficultiesofthesystemoffundamentalarticles,isnomoreacceptable.Newmandemonstratedandextolledittothebestofhistalentinhis"ViaMedia",buthesoonrecognizeditsweakness,andabandonedandrejecteditevenbeforehisconversiontoCatholicism.Accordingtothistheory,inordertosafeguardunityandavoidschismitissufficienttoabidebyScriptureasinterpretedbyeachindividualunderthedirectionorwiththeassistanceoftradition.AtanyratetheChurchshouldnotberegardedasinfallible,butonlyasatrustworthywitnesswithregardtothetruesenseoftheinspiredtextwhenshetestifiestoaninterpretationreceivedfromApostolictimes.Itseemsunnecessarytopointouttheillusoryandalmostcontradictorycharacterwhichsucharuleascribestothelivingteachingauthorityobviously,itdoesnotmeettheconditionsforunityofbeliefwhichrequiresconformitywithScriptureand,noless,withthelivingauthorityoftheChurch,ormoreexactly,impliesabsoluteobediencetotheinfallibleteachingauthoritybothtothatwhichinterpretstheScriptureandtothatwhichpreservesandtransmitsunderanyotherformthedepositofRevelation.

    St.Irenusismostexplicitonallthesepoints:accordingtohimfaithisprovedanditsenemiesconfoundedequallybyScriptureandtradition(AgainstHeresiesIII.2),buttheauthenticguardianofbothistheChurch,i.e.thebishopsassuccessorsoftheApostles:"Apostolictraditionismanifestedthroughouttheworld,andeverywhereintheChurchitiswithinthereachofthosewhodesiretoknowthetruth,forwecanenumeratethebishopsestablishedbytheApostles,aswellastheirsuccessorsdowntoourowntimes"(op.cit.,iii).Totheseguardiansandtothemaloneweshouldhaverecoursewithconfidence:"ThetruthwhichitiseasytoknowthroughtheChurchmustnotbesoughtelsewhereintheChurchinwhichasinarichtreasury,theApostlesdepositedinitsfulnessallthatconcernsthetruth:fromherwhosoeverdesiresitshallreceivethedraughtoflife.Sheherselfisthegateoflifealltheothersarethievesandrobbers"(iii,4).Suchistheauthorityofthelivingtraditionthat,indefaultofScripture,recoursemustbehadtotraditionalone."WhatwouldhavebecomeofusiftheApostleshadnotleftustheScriptures?WouldwenothavetorelyonthattraditionwhichtheyconfidedtothosetowhomtheycommittedthegovernmentoftheChurches?ThisiswhatisdonebymanybarbarianpeopleswhobelieveinChristandwhobearthelawofsalvationwrittenintheirheartsbytheHolySpiritwithoutinkorpaperandwhofaithfullypreservetheancienttradition"(iii,4).ItisplainthatwiththeassistanceoftheHolyGhosttheteachingauthorityoftheChurchispreservedfromerror:"WheretheChurchis,thereistheSpiritofGodandwheretheSpiritofGodisthereistheChurchwitheverygrace,andtheSpiritistruth"(iii,24)."ThatiswhyobediencemustberenderedtothepresbyterswhoareintheChurch,andwhohavingsucceededtheApostles,togetherwiththeepiscopal

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    successionhavereceivedbythewilloftheFatheracertaincharismaoftruth"(iv,26).ThisisfarremovedfromthehalfwayassertionsandtherestrictionsoftheOxfordSchool.ThesameconclusionmaybedrawnfromTertullian'sdeclarationoftheimpossibilityofsolvingadifficultyorterminatingadisputebyScripturealone(Deprscript.,xix),andfromOrigen'swords:"SinceamongmanywhoboastofadoctrineinconformitywiththatofChristsomedonotagreewiththeirpredecessors,letalladheretotheecclesiasticaldoctrinetransmittedfromtheApostlesbywayofsuccessionandpreservedintheChurchtillthepresenttime:wehavenotruthinwhichtobelievebutthatwhichdoesnotdeviatefromtheeccelesiasticalandApostolictradition"(DePrincipiisPreface,no.2).

    Principalschisms

    InthisworldtheChurchismilitantandassuchisexposedtoconflictandtrial.Humanconditionsbeingwhattheyarepartialorlocalschismsareboundtooccur:"Ihear",saysSt.Paul,"that...thereareschismsamongyouandinpartIbelieveit.Fortheremustbealsoheresies:thattheyalso,whoareapproved,maybemademanifestamongyou"(1Corinthians11:1819).Inthefullandprimitivesenseofthewordeveryseriousruptureofunityandconsequentlyeveryheresyisaschism.Thisarticle,however,willpassoverthelongseriesofheresiesandtreatonlythosedefectionsorreligioussectstowhichhistorianscommonlygivethespecificnameofschisms,becausemostfrequently,andatleastinthebeginningofeachsuchsectariandivision,doctrinalerrorwasonlyanaccessory.Theyaretreatedinchronologicalorderandthemostimportantonlybriefly,thesebeingthesubjectsofspecialarticlesintheENCYCLOPEDIA.

    (1)Mentionhasalreadybeenmadeofthe"schisms"ofthenascentChurchofCorinth,whenitwassaidamongitsmembers:"IindeedamofPaulandIamofApolloandIofCephasandIofChrist."TothemSt.Paul'senergeticinterventionputanend.

    (2)AccordingtoHegesippus,themostadvancedsectionoftheJudaizersorEbionitesatJerusalemfollowedthebishopThebutisasagainstSt.Simeon,andafterthedeathofSt.James,A.D.63,separatedfromtheChurch.

    (3)Therewerenumerouslocalschismsinthethirdandfourthcenturies.AtRomePopeCallistus(21722)wasopposedbyapartywhotookexceptiontothemildnesswithwhichheappliedthepenitentialdiscipline.HippolytusplacedhimselfasbishopattheheadofthesemalcontentsandtheschismwasprolongedunderthetwosuccessorsofCallistus,UrbanI(22230)andPontianus(23035).ThereisnodoubtthatHippolytushimselfreturnedtothepaleoftheChurch(cf.d'Als,"Lathol.des.Hippolyte",Paris,1906,introduction).

    (4)In251whenCorneliuswaselectedtotheSeeofRomeaminoritysetupNovatianasanantipope,thepretextagainbeingthepardonwhichCorneliuspromisedtothosewhoafterapostatizingshouldrepent.ThroughaspiritofcontradictionNovatianwentsofaras

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    torefuseforgivenesseventothedyingandtheseveritywasextendedtoothercategoriesofgravesins.TheNovatianssoughttoformaChurchofsaints.IntheEasttheycalledthemselveskatharoi,pure.LargelyundertheinfluenceofthisideatheyadministeredasecondbaptismtothosewhodesertedCatholicismtojointheirranks.ThesectdevelopedgreatlyintheEasterncountries,whereitsubsisteduntilabouttheseventhcentury,beingrecruitednotonlybythedefectionofCatholics,butalsobytheaccessionofMontanists.

    (5)DuringthesameperiodtheChurchofCarthagewasalsoapreytointestinaldivisions.St.Cypnanupheldinreasonablemeasurethetraditionalprinciplesregardingpenanceanddidnotaccordtothelettersofconfessorscalledlibellipacistheimportancedesiredbysome.OneoftheprincipaladversarieswasthepriestDonatusFortunatusbecamethebishopoftheparty,buttheschism,whichwasofshortdurationtookthenameofthedeaconFelicissimuswhoplayedanimportantpartinit.

    (6)WiththedawnofthefourthcenturyEgyptwasthesceneoftheschismofMeletius,BishopofLycopolis,intheThebaid.ItscausesarenotknownwithcertaintysomeancientauthorsascribeittorigoristtendenciesregardingpenancewhileotherssayitwasoccasionedbyusurpationofpoweronthepartofMeletius,notablytheconferringofordinationsoutsidehisdiocese.TheCouncilofNicadealtwiththisschism,butdidnotsucceedincompletelyeradicatingittherewerestillvestigesofitinthefifthcentury.

    (7)SomewhatlatertheschismofAntioch,originatinginthetroublesduetoArianism,presentspeculiarcomplications.WhenthebishopEustathius,wasdeposedin330asmallsectionofhisflockremainedfaithfultohim,butthemajorityfollowedtheArians.Thefirstbishopcreatedbythemwassucceeded(361)byMeletiusofSebasteinArmenia,whobyforceofcircumstancesbecametheleaderofasecondorthodoxparty.InfactMeletiusdidnotfundamentallydepartfromtheFaithofNica,andhewassoonrejectedbytheArians:ontheotherhandhewasnotrecognizedbytheEustathians,whosawinhimthechoiceofthehereticsandalsotookhimtotaskforsomemerelyterminologicaldifferences.Theschismlasteduntilabout415.Paulinus(d.388)andEvagrius(d.392),Eustathianbishops,wererecognizedintheWestasthetruepastors,whileintheEasttheMeletianbishopswereregardedaslegitimate.

    (8)AfterthebanishmentofPopeLiberiusin355,thedeaconFelixwaschosentoreplacehimandhehadadherentsevenafterthereturnofthelegitimatepope.Theschism,quenchedforatimebythedeathofFelix,wasrevivedatthedeathofLibeniusandtherivalrybroughtaboutbloodyencounters.ItwasseveralyearsafterthevictoryofDamasusbeforepeacewascompletelyrestored.

    (9)ThesameperiodwitnessedtheschismoftheLuciferians.Lucifer,BishopofCalaris,orCagliari,wasdispleasedwithAthanasiusandhisfriendswhoattheSynodofAlexandria(362)hadpardonedtherepentantSemiArians.HehimselfhadbeenblamedbyEusebiusofVercellibecauseofhishasteinordainingPaulinus,Bishopofthe

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    Eustathians,atAntioch.ForthesetworeasonsheseparatedfromthecommunionoftheCatholicbishops.ForsometimetheschismwonadherentsinSardinia,whereithadoriginated,andinSpain,whereGregory,BishopofElvira,wasitschiefabettor.

    (10)ButthemostimportantofthefourthcenturyschismswasthatoftheDonatists.ThesesectarieswereasnotedfortheirobstinacyandfanaticismasfortheeffortsandthewritingsratheruselesslymultipliedagainstthembySt.AugustineandSt.OptatusofMilevis.

    (11)TheschismofAcaciusbelongstotheendofthefifthcentury.ItisconnectedwiththepromulgationbytheemperorZenooftheedictknownastheHenoticon.IssuedwiththeintentionofputtinganendtotheChristologicaldisputes,thisdocumentdidnotsatisfyeitherCatholicsorMonophysites.PopeFelixIIexcommunicateditstworealauthors,PeterMongus,BishopofAlexandria,andAcaciusofConstantinople.AbreakbetweentheEastandtheWestfollowedwhichlastedthirtyfiveyears.AttheinstanceofthegeneralVitalian,protectoroftheorthodox,Zeno'ssuccessorAnastasiuspromisedsatisfactiontotheadherentsoftheCouncilofChalcedonandtheconvocationofageneralcouncil,butheshowedsolittlegoodwillinthematterthatunionwasonlyrestoredbyJustinIin519.ThereconciliationreceivedofficialsanctioninaprofessionofFaithtowhichtheGreekbishopssubscribed,andwhich,asitwassentbyPopeHormisdas,isknowninhistoryastheFormulaofHormisdas.

    (12)InthesixthcenturytheschismofAquileawascausedbytheconsentofPopeVigiliustothecondemnationoftheThreeChapters(553).TheecclesiasticalprovincesofMilanandAquilearefusedtoacceptthiscondemnationasvalidandseparatedforatimefromtheApostolicSee.TheLombardinvasionofItaly(568)favouredtheresistance,butfrom570theMilanesereturnedbydegreestothecommunionofRometheportionofAquileasubjecttotheByzantinesreturnedin607,afterwhichdatetheschismhadbutafewchurches.ItdiedoutcompletelyunderSergiusI,abouttheendoftheeighthcentury.

    (13)TheninthcenturybroughttheschismofPhotius,which,thoughitwastransitory,preparedthewaybynourishingaspiritofdefiancetowardsRomeforthefinaldefectionofConstantinople.

    (14)ThistookplacelessthantwocenturieslaterunderMichaelCerulariuswhoatonestroke(1053)closedallthechurchesoftheLatinsatConstantinopleandconfiscatedtheirconvents.ThedeplorableGreekschism(seeGREEKCHURCH),whichstillsubsists,andisitselfdividedintoseveralcommunions,wasthusconsummated.ThetwoagreementsofreunionconcludedattheSecondCouncilofLyonsin1274,andatthatofFlorencein1439,unfortunatelyhadnolastingresultstheycouldnothavehadthem,becauseonthepartoftheGreeksatleasttheywereinspiredbyinterestedmotives.

    (15)TheschismofAnacletusinthetwelfthcentury,likethatofFelixVinthefifteenth,

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    wasduetotheexistenceofanantipopesidebysidewiththelegitimatepontiff.AtthedeathofHonoriusII(1130)InnocentIIhadbeenregularlyelected,butanumerousandpowerfulfactionsetupinoppositiontohimCardinalPeterofthePierleonifamily.Innocentwascompelledtoflee,leavingRomeinthehandsofhisadversaries.HefoundrefugeinFrance.St.BernardardentlydefendedhiscauseasdidalsoSt.Norbert.WithinayearnearlyallEuropehaddeclaredinhisfavour,onlyScotland,SouthernItaly,andSicilyconstitutingtheotherparty.TheemperorLothairebroughtInnocentIIbacktoRome,but,supportedbyRogerofSicilytheantipoperetainedpossessionoftheLeonineCity,wherehediedin1138.HissuccessorVictorIVtwomonthsafterhiselection,soughtandobtainedpardonandreconciliationfromthelegitimatepontiff.ThecaseofFelixVwasmoresimple.FelixVwasthenametakenbyAmadeusofSavoy,electedbytheCouncilofBasle,whenitwentintoopenrevoltagainstEugeniusIV,refusedtodisbandandthusincurredexcommunication(1439).TheantipopewasnotacceptedsaveinSavoyandSwitzerland.Helastedforashorttimewiththepseudocouncilwhichhadcreatedhim.Bothsubmittedin1449toNicholasV,whohadsucceededEugeniusIV.

    (16)TheGreatSchismoftheWestisthesubjectofaspecialarticle(WESTERNSCHISM)seealsoCOUNCILOFCONSTANCECOUNCILOFPISA.

    (17)EveryoneknowstheshamefuloriginsoftheschismofHenryVIII,whichwasthepreludetotheintroductionofProtestantismintoEngland.Thevoluptuousmonarchwasopposedbythepopeinhisprojectsfordivorceandremarriage,andheseparatedfromthepope.Hesucceededsowellthatin1531thegeneralassemblyoftheclergyandtheParliamentproclaimedhimheadofthenationalChurch.Warham,ArchbishopofCanterbury,hadatfirstcausedtheadoptionofarestrictiveclause:"asfarasDivinelawpermits".Butthisimportantreservationwasnotrespected,fortherupturewiththeRomanCourtfollowedalmostimmediately.In1534theActofSupremacywasvotedaccordingtothetermsofwhichthekingbecamethesoleheadoftheChurchofEnglandandwastoenjoyalltheprerogativeswhichhadhithertobelongedtothepope.Refusaltorecognizetheneworganizationwaspunishedwithdeath.Variouschangesfollowed:suppressionofconvents,destructionofrelicsandofnumerouspicturesandstatues.ButdogmawasnotagainattackedunderHenryVIII,whopursuedwithequalseveritybothattachmenttothepopeandthedoctrinesoftheReformers.

    (18)InthearticleJANSENIUSANDJANSENISMaredescribedtheformationandvicissitudesoftheschismofUtrecht,theunhappyconsequenceofJansenism,butwhichneverspreadbeyondahandfuloffanatics.Subsequentschismsbelongtotheendoftheeighteenthandthenineteenthcentury.

    (19)ThefirstwascausedinFrancebytheCivilConstitutionoftheclergyof1790.BythislawthenationalConstituentAssemblyaimedatimposingontheChurchaneworganizationwhichessentiallymodifieditsconditionasregulatedbypublicecclesiasticallaw.The134bishopsofthekingdomwerereducedto83,accordingtotheterritorial

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    divisionintodepartmentsthechoiceofcursfelltoelectorsappointedbymembersofdistrictassembliesthatofbishopstoelectorsnamedbytheassembliesofdepartmentsandcanonicalinstitutiondevolveduponthemetropolitanandthebishopsoftheprovince.Allbeneficeswithoutcureofsoulsweresuppressed.Alaterordinancemadeobediencetothesearticlesaconditionofadmissiontoanyecclesiasticaloffice.Alargenumberofbishopsandpriests,inall,accordingtosomesources,aboutasixthoftheclergy,andaccordingtootherdocumentsnearlyathird,wereweakenoughtotaketheoath.ThenceforththeFrenchclergywasdividedintotwofactions,thejurorsandthenonjurors,andtheschismwascarriedtotheutmostextremewhenintrudersunderthenameofbishopsclaimedtooccupythedepartmentalsees,duringthelifetimeandevenindefianceoftherightsoftherealtitulars.ThecondemnationoftheCivilConstitutionbyPiusVIin1791openedtheeyesofsome,butotherspersisteduntiltheir"ConstitutionalChurch"declinedshamefullyanddisappearedirrevocablyintheRevolutionaryturmoil.

    (20)AschismofanothernatureandoflessimportancewasthatofthesocalledPetitegliseortheIncommunicants,formedatthebeginningofthenineteenthcenturybygroupswhoweredissatisfiedwiththeConcordatandtheconcordatoryclergy.IntheprovincesofthewestofFrancethepartyacquiredacertainstabilityfrom1801to1815atthelatterdateithadbecomeadistinctsect.Itlanguishedontillabout1830,andeventuallybecameextinctforlackofprieststoperpetuateit.InBelgiumsomeofitsmemberscallthemselvesStevenists,thusabusingthenameofareputableecclesiastic,CorneilleStevens,whowascapitularvicargeneraloftheDioceseofNamuruntil1802,whoafterwardswroteagainsttheOrganicArticles,butacceptedtheConcordatanddiedin1828,ashehadlived,insubmissiontotheHolySee.

    (21)In1831theAbbChatelfoundedtheFrenchCatholicChurch,asmallgroupwhichneveracquiredimportance.Thefounder,whoatfirstclaimedtoretainallthedogmas,hadhimselfconsecratedbishopbyFabrePalaprat,anotherselfstyledbishopofthe"Constitutional"typehesoonrejectedtheinfallibilityoftheteachingChurch,celibacyofpriests,andabstinence.HerecognizednoruleoffaithexceptindividualevidenceandheofficiatedinFrench.ThesectwasalreadyonthepointofbeingslainbyridiculewhenitsmeetingplaceswereclosedbytheGovernmentin1842.

    (22)AboutthesametimeGermanywasthesceneofasomewhatsimilarschism.Whenin1844theHolyCoatwasexposedatTrierforthevenerationofthefaithful,asuspendedpriest,JohannesRonge,seizedtheoccasiontopublishaviolentpamphletagainstArnoldi,BishopofTrier.Somemalcontentsrangedthemselvesonhisside.AlmostsimultaneouslyJohnCzerski,adismissedvicar,foundedintheProvinceofPosen,a"ChristianCatholiccommunity".Hehadimitators.In1845the"GermanCatholics",astheseschismaticscalledthemselves,heldasynodatLeipzigatwhichtheyrejectedamongotherthingstheprimacyofthepope,auricularconfession,ecclesiasticalcelibacy,thevenerationofthesaints,andsuppressedtheCanonintheirEucharisticLiturgywhichtheycalledthe"Germanliturgy".Theygainedrecruitsinsmallnumbersuntil1848,butafterthatdate

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    theydeclined,beingonbadtermswiththeGovernmentswhichhadatfirstencouragedthembutwhichborethemillwillbecauseoftheirpoliticalagitations.

    (23)WhilethissectwasdeclininganothersprangupinantagonismtotheVaticanCouncil.Theopponentsoftherecentlydefineddoctrineofinfallibility,theOldCatholics,atfirstcontentedthemselveswithasimpleprotestattheCongressofMunichin1871theyresolvedtoconstituteaseparateChurch.TwoyearslatertheychoseasbishoptheProfessorReinkensofBreslau,whowasrecognizedasbishopbyPrussia,Baden,andHesse.ThankstoofficialassistancetherebelssucceededingainingpossessionofanumberofCatholicchurchesandsoon,liketheGermanCatholicsandschismaticsingeneral,theyintroduceddisciplinaryanddoctrinalnovelties,theysuccessivelyabandonedthepreceptofconfession(1874),ecclesiasticalcelibacy(1878),theRomanliturgy,whichwasreplaced(1880)byaGermanliturgy,etc.InSwitzerlandalsotheoppositiontotheVaticancouncilresultedinthecreationofaseparatecommunity,whichalsoenjoyedgovernmentalfavour.AnOldCatholicfacultywasfoundedatBernefortheteachingoftheology,andE.Herzog,aprofessorofthisfaculty,waselectedbishopofthepartyin1876.Acongressassembledin1890,atwhichmostofthedissidentgroups,Jansenists,OldCatholics,etc.,hadrepresentatives,resolvedtouniteallthesediverseelementsinthefoundationofoneChurch.Asamatteroffact,theyareallontheroadtofreethinkingandRationalism.InEnglandarecentattemptatschismundertheleadershipofHerbertBealeandArthurHowarth,twoNottinghampriests,andArnoldMathew,hasfailedtoassumeproportionsworthyofseriousnotice.

    Sources

    ST.THOMAS,Summa,IIII,(qxxxix)TANQUEREY,Synopsistheologi,I(Rome,1908)FUNK,Patresapostolici,I(Tbingen,1902)TIXERONT,Histoiredesdogmes(Paris,19059)FUNK,Lehrb.derKirchengesch(Paderborn,1902)ALBERS,Enchirid.hist.eccles.(Nimeguen,190910)DUCHESNE,Hist.anciennedel'glise(Paris,190710)GUYOT,Dict.universeldeshrsies(Paris,1847).

    Aboutthispage

    APAcitation.Forget,J.(1912).Schism.InTheCatholicEncyclopedia.NewYork:RobertAppletonCompany.RetrievedJune6,2015fromNewAdvent:http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13529a.htm

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    MLAcitation.Forget,Jacques."Schism."TheCatholicEncyclopedia.Vol.13.NewYork:RobertAppletonCompany,1912.6Jun.2015.

    Transcription.ThisarticlewastranscribedforNewAdventbyDouglasJ.Potter.DedicatedtotheSacredHeartofJesusChrist.

    Ecclesiasticalapprobation.NihilObstat.February1,1912.RemyLafort,D.D.,Censor.Imprimatur.+JohnCardinalFarley,ArchbishopofNewYork.

    Contactinformation.TheeditorofNewAdventisKevinKnight.Myemailaddressiswebmasteratnewadvent.org.Regrettably,Ican'treplytoeveryletter,butIgreatlyappreciateyourfeedbackespeciallynotificationsabouttypographicalerrorsandinappropriateads.