With the humiliation of Pope Boniface VIII and growing political disorders in the Papal States, the Papacy began its seventy year exile to Avignon in 1309. With the Papacy now so far removed from the States, petty lords seized the opportunity to defy its authority. The lack of ability to rule over their land damaged the papacies prestige. Why should they obey the Pope when he was situated so far away. Declining Papal prestige was least of their problems. The expense of the move to Avignon was great and the Papal States were unable to supply sufficient funds. Thus began the fiscal abuses of the church, which laid the foundation for corruption. Popes began claiming the income of vacant offices for themselves, while appointing

certain persons with multiple offices. This was probably because high ecclesiastical offices were now sold for revenue to the highest bidder. So now, to be a leading religious figure in the church, you need not be holy, just wealthy. Remissions !

With the church in such a state of distress, the need for a resolution was at the utmost concern. The conciliar moment was the suggestion for this resolution. The instatement of a general council that would limit the Popes power and correct the ecclesiastical abuses. The first attempt was at the at Council of Pisa. Their resolution was to dispose of the two feuding Popes and to elect another. Their intentions were good but proved ineffective. The council successfully established a third contender for the Papacy, with no resolution in sight. The next conciliar attempt was at the Council of Constance. This effort proved to be far more successful. The Popes in Avignon and Rome were both disposed of while the third was persuaded to resign. The Great Schism was finally ended and Martin V was elected as the new Pope. The council was successful in ending the Great Schism but failed to address any other problems of the Church. The council was too large and cumbersome. Th!

The Church feeling the effects of its shortcomings began turning to other methods to maintain membership. They used the Re

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Approximate Word count = 914
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)