What was the Great Schism?

Urban was a man of low birth, so harsh and offensive in his manners that thirteen of his cardinals abandoned him and elected another "infallible pope," who called himself Clement VII. The northern nations, including England, supported Urban. The southern countries, including France, Spain and Naples, and also Scotland, supported Clement. Urban at once issued orders of excommunication against his rival, calling him a heretic, a liar, an anti-pope, and every other evil thing he could think of. Clement replied with the same abuse, and who was right and who was wrong no one knows to this day. This double popery lasted nearly forty years.

Just about this time there were two popes or anti-popes, one in Rome and one in Avignon. History speaks of this as "The Schism," and some writers pictured it as the split, or two-headed, Antichrist. Which head apostolic succession flows through, the reader must judge for himself. Wycliffe denounced both popes alike as antichrist, and found strong sympathy in the hearts and minds of the people. The most disgraceful scenes followed. The pontiff of Rome proclaimed war against the pontiff of Avignon.

The papacy got so bad that disputes arose within its own circle, and in 1378 there were two popes, a state of things that lasted about forty years. But this only made matters worse. Europe was divided, and they could only get money from half of it… The council deposed both popes, and after the cardinals had solemnly promised to reform the abuses that existed, Alexander V was elected — with the result that they now had three popes instead of two.

The purpose of this great council was twofold. First, to put an end to the schism that had troubled the church for so many years. Second, to suppress the teachings of Wycliffe and Huss. The first of these aims was accomplished well enough. Having established that a pontiff is subject to a council of the whole church, John XXIII was deposed because of the irregularities of his life and the breaking of his oath to the Emperor. Gregory and Benedict were again deposed, and Otho de Colonna was elected pontiff, taking the name of Martin V.

Each pope condemned and excommunicated the other and his followers. Both consecrated bishops and clergy, so that the idea of a secure succession, and of the church being kept in sacramental grace by it, is simply absurd. If Urban was the true pope, then all France and Spain and other countries were excommunicated, outside the church.

When the Roman Empire became divided at the end of the fourth century of the Christian era (do not confuse the Empire with the Church), Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Empire, gained great prominence, and a conflict arose between its clergy and the clergy of Rome, the capital of the Western Empire, over which of the two would dominate. The result was a break, and the Eastern churches, generally following the Bishop of Constantinople, together founded what is called the Greek Church.

It began with an incident so small in itself that it hardly deserves a place in history. There was no question of bad doctrine or immorality, only a disputed election to the see of Carthage. A little right feeling, a little self-denial, a true desire for the peace, unity and harmony of the church, and above all a proper care for the Lord's glory, would have prevented hundreds of years of inward sorrow and outward disgrace to the church of God. But pride, greed and ambition — sad fruits of the flesh — were allowed to do their terrible work.

The death of Gregory and the great schism in the papacy together, in the good providence of God, delivered Wycliffe from the cruel hand of persecution.