Summa de Ecclesia

Since we have judged it no small use to this part, as a precaution for future times, that the schisms arisen in the Church in earlier times be recalled, together with the ways in which they were quieted or removed, we have therefore wished to run through them briefly. But because schisms in the Church happen in various ways, namely either through the introduction of perverse doctrine, since heresy includes schism in itself, or through separation and division by obstinate disobedience from the apostolic see, or through usurpation of the apostolic see, in speaking of schisms in the first way it is not our purpose to count past or present schisms, because that would be long and very difficult, since as many schisms would have to be recounted as there have been heresies or now are. Nor do we intend to recall schisms introduced in the second way, since in those, as in the first, many heresies are involved. For of those is properly understood the saying of Jerome in ch. Inter haeresim, 24, q. 1, saying that every inveterate schism fashions for itself some heresy so that it may seem to have departed from the Church rightly, as is clear in the schism of the Greeks, in the schism of the Jacobites and Armenians, and now of the Bohemians, who to color their separation from the Roman Church fashioned many heresies. But at present we have proposed to enumerate only those schisms which were introduced into the Church by the illicit daring of usurpation of the apostolic see.

The first schism was between blessed Cornelius and Novatian, a priest of the city of Rome. The first therefore who after the lawful succession of the pontiffs strove to usurp the apostolic see, as the ecclesiastical histories report, was Novatian, a priest of the Roman Church, and he became the chief of the heresy of the Novatians, who called themselves Cathari, that is, the pure, denying to the lapsed the hope of pardon; hence they did not communicate with lapsed brethren nor said their penance was to be received, and so Novatian fell into schism and heresy. For which reason Pope Cornelius gathers a council in the city of 70 bishops, and as many priests with many deacons, in which, Novatian with all his followers having been execrated by all and his heresy condemned, it is decreed that pardon be promised to penitent lapsed and reconciliation granted after worthy penance.

The second schism was between Felix and Liberius. Indeed, with Pope Liberius exiled by the Emperor Constantius for the faith, Felix, a priest, is substituted in the papacy with the consent of Liberius himself, who at length, for constancy in the faith, with a council of Arians gathered, is deposed from the papacy. Liberius, who, overcome by weariness of exile, was recalled, subscribing in heretical depravity, was restored to the see, which he held for nearly six years. This schism was quieted by death. For first Pope Felix is crowned with martyrdom; then after six years the pseudo-pope Liberius was extinguished by an evil death through the prayers of the saints, whom afterwards Pope Damasus publicly condemned by synodal judgment and annulled all that he had done.

The third schism was between Damasus, the first pope of that name, and Ursinus, a cardinal deacon. For the latter, not bearing Damasus set over him, stirs up sedition against Damasus, and by the power of seditious men extorts being made bishop in the basilica called that of Sisinnius, with the order of law and tradition perverted; by which deed great disturbance arose. This schism was quieted with God as author; for with a council gathered, Damasus, who had been elected by the greater and sounder part, is established in the see. Ursinus, cast out of the city, is made bishop of Naples.

The fourth schism was between Boniface the first and Eulalius, a priest of the city of Rome. Boniface is ordained in the basilica of Saint Peter, Eulalius in the Constantinian basilica. This schism is quieted thus, since both leave the city by order of the Emperor Honorius, and with an inquiry made into the truth of the election of both, Eulalius is rejected, and Boniface, who had been elected by the greater and sounder part, is restored to the apostolic see.

The fifth schism was between Symmachus the first and Laurentius. For Symmachus is elected pope in the Constantinian basilica by one party of the cardinals and clergy; Laurentius however is elected by the other party in the basilica of Saint Mary. This schism was quieted in this way, that since one would not yield to the other, they decided that the whole dispute should be settled by the judgment of King Theodoric, who then had full dominion in Italy; who, being at Ravenna, with the legates of both parties fully heard, decreed that he who had been elected first or whom the greater part of the clergy together with the people had elected should reside in the apostolic see. And because Symmachus had been ordained first, the greater part came to favor him, who out of mercy made Laurentius bishop of Nocera. But after a few years Symmachus is accused from envy by false witnesses, and, accused before Augustus, Laurentius is secretly recalled, and with schism renewed the clergy is divided. But it is quieted in this way: for by order of the aforesaid King Theodoric a council of 115 bishops is gathered in the city, as is clear in dist. 17, ch. Concilia. Hence also, in which, with Symmachus purged of the false charge and both the false witnesses and Bishop Laurentius, usurper of the apostolic see, condemned, Symmachus is restored with the highest honor and glory.

The sixth schism was between Silverius the first and Vigilius. For Vigilius, archdeacon of the Roman Church, aspiring to the height of the apostolic see, prepares treachery for his pontiff Silverius. For since Pope Silverius would not at the suggestion of the Empress recall Anthimus, bishop of Constantinople, because he was a heretic, Vigilius promised he would do this, and so, with blessed Silverius deported into exile through the patrician Belisarius, Vigilius, with the Empress favoring him on account of the promise made, seized the evilly coveted see, although afterwards he washed away the crime by blessed confession. This schism was quieted because, as certain histories report, with Silverius dead in exile Vigilius was assumed by all as pope.

The seventh schism was between Eugenius the second and another co-elected with him in discord, which schism was quieted by the power of Lothair, son of the Emperor Louis, who, coming to Rome, pacified the state of the people, depraved by his predecessors, with the pontiff Eugenius, and so, with the antipope rejected, Eugenius remained in the papacy, whom also the greater part of the nobles and people favored.

The eighth schism was between Leo the fifth and Christopher the pseudo-antipope, which Christopher with diabolical presumption was so accursed that he presumed to seize Pope Leo by force and consign him to prison, and so in this manner he usurped the apostolic see. But with Pope Leo dead in prison and Christopher the antipope shamefully rejected, Sergius the second is elected to the apostolate, and so the schism is quieted.

The ninth schism was between John the twelfth and Leo the eighth. For although John the twelfth for his demerits, because he was slippery and a hunter, had been deposed with a council of the bishops of Italy gathered through the Emperor Otto, and Leo constituted in the apostolate, nevertheless after the departure of the Emperor, John, received by the Romans through the favor of his own, was restored, and with a synod gathered resumed the papacy with Leo deposed, and with John at length extinguished by the just judgment of God at the hand of the devil the schism was quieted.

The tenth schism was between the aforesaid Leo and Benedict the fifth, which Benedict, since he was elected by the friends of John while Leo still lived, gave rise to schism. This schism is quieted thus: for the Emperor, hearing this, returns to the city and wearies it with siege until Benedict was handed over to him, whom the Emperor sends into exile into Saxony, and Leo is restored, and so by the power of the Emperor the schism is quieted.

The eleventh schism was between Gregory the fifth and a certain John, bishop of Piacenza, whom Crescentius the consul, corrupted by money, violently thrust into the apostolic see, but the Emperor, hearing this with much grief, swiftly returns to the city, and orders Crescentius to be slain, and the said John, deprived with his eyes gouged out, he consigned to perpetual prison in the castle of Saint Angelo, and Gregory is restored, and so by the power of the Emperor the schism is quieted.

The twelfth schism was between Benedict the ninth and three others assumed. For it is read that Benedict the ninth, after he had sat in the apostolic see for some years, is cast down, and the papacy was given to John, bishop of Sabina, who was afterwards called Sylvester the third, and with the latter cast out by the power of certain Romans who favored Albert, father of the aforesaid Benedict, Benedict was restored; and with him again rejected, the papacy was given to John, priest of Saint John before the Latin Gate, who was called Gregory the sixth, who on account of rudeness of letters, as they report, had another consecrated with him to execute the turns of office, and since this institution of a coadjutor did not please many, a third is brought in over them, who alone should fill the turns of the two. Among three therefore there is contention over the papacy, with one disputing against two and two against one over the papacy, the Emperor Henry comes to Rome, and with the three cast out a fourth is substituted, who was called Clement the second, and so by the power of the Emperor the schism is quieted.

The thirteenth schism was when Benedict the tenth, relying on the power of certain Roman nobles, occupied the apostolic see, who at length, led by conscience, yielded, acknowledging that he had not entered through the door, and Nicholas the second was made.

The fourteenth schism was between Alexander the second and Cadalus, bishop of Parma. Indeed the bishops of Lombardy, saying that no one ought to be elected Roman pontiff except from the paradise or garden of Italy, which they called Lombardy, against the custom of the Church elect the aforesaid Cadalus as pope, with the Emperor Henry favoring them in this; but this schism is quieted in this way, for the Emperor Henry, returning to his heart and grieving for the disturbance of the Church, sets out for Rome and is reconciled to Alexander. But Cadalus, seeing this, recognizing his error, with presumption of the papacy laid aside, comes to the obedience of Alexander.

The fifteenth schism was between Gregory the seventh and a certain Clement. Indeed, when discord arose between Pope Gregory the seventh and the Emperor Henry the fourth over the investitures of bishops in the Empire, at the suggestion of the Emperor another is brought in. For with the bishops and archbishops of Lombardy convening at Brescia, the archbishop of Ravenna, Gilbert by name, is elected pope, who was called Clement. Hence there followed a most grave schism, which lasted until the death of the aforesaid antipope and of the aforesaid Emperor Henry who fostered that schism, and so by their death the schism was quieted.

The sixteenth schism was between Paschal the second and three other pseudo-pontiffs. Indeed, when Paschal, after the decease of Urban the second, had been assumed as pontiff, with Henry the fourth crowned in the empire, certain of the clergy, rising up against the pontiff, strove at diverse times to advance three leaders of heresy to the papacy, namely Albert, Arnulf, and Theodoric, who although in the beginning of their profane assumption stirred up no mean disturbances, yet soon were restrained by the true pontiff, and with them at length extinguished by an evil death their schism was quieted by their death.

The seventeenth schism was between Gelasius the second and the antipope Burdinus. Indeed Henry the fourth, taking occasion that he had not been called to the election of Gelasius, opposing himself to the aforesaid election, had a certain Burdinus, one of the Spaniards, ordained as pope. But with Gelasius dead at Cluny in France, Calixtus the second is elected, who, coming to Rome, captures Burdinus at Sutri and leads him to the city in ignominy, shuts him in prison, and the schism is quieted.

The eighteenth schism was between Pope Innocent the second and Peter Leonis, although elected by the lesser part, nevertheless, girt with the power of his kinsmen, he prevailed in the city, for which cause Pope Innocent with the cardinals adhering to him withdrew from the city into France. But Peter Leonis, remaining in the city, seized the prelacy ordering himself to be called Anacletus. This schism is ended in this way: since the Emperor Lothair, coming to the city, extirpates the whole party of Peter Leonis, and restores the said Pope Innocent, and so by the power of Lothair that schism is quieted.

The nineteenth schism was between Alexander the third and four pseudo-antipopes. For when the aforesaid Alexander, on account of discord arisen between him and Frederick the first, had been compelled to leave Italy, he went into France, where he remained nearly 18 years, in which intervening time, with the aforesaid Frederick favoring, four antipopes were successively intruded, profaning the apostolic see. The first was Octavian, who had himself called Victor; the second was Guido of Cremona, who had himself called Paschal; the third was John of Fremenz, who had himself called Calixtus; the fourth was Lando, who had himself called Innocent, all of whom, excommunicated by Alexander, at length perished by an evil death. But with peace composed between Pope Alexander and the aforesaid Frederick, the schism was quieted.

The twentieth schism was between John the twenty-second pope and the pseudo-pontiff Brother Peter of Corbara. Indeed Louis of Bavaria, because the aforesaid Pope John did not favor him in the matter of the empire but was rather opposed to him, coming to Rome, in contempt of him had the aforesaid pseudo-religious, a brother of the order of Minors, Brother Peter of Corbara, raised up as pope, usurping from him the crown of the empire, and so a grave schism arose in the Church. But with the Lord disposing, the aforesaid antipope is captured and presented to Pope John, and at length dies in the Cremonese castle, and so the schism is quieted.

The twenty-first schism was, as it were, partly in our own times; for it was begun about the year of the Lord 1378 and lasted down to our times. For with the apostolic see vacant through the death of Gregory the eleventh, two were assumed to the supreme pontificate: first indeed Bartholomew, bishop of Bari, and he was called Urban the sixth; at length with the cardinals withdrawing and betaking themselves to Avignon, where they believed themselves safe, the cardinal of Geneva was elected and called Clement the seventh, and so a great schism arose in the Church of God, which lasted many years. For after the death of Urban the sixth there was assumed to the papacy by the cardinals made by him Boniface the ninth, and after him Innocent the seventh, and after him Gregory the twelfth; for the other party, after the death of Clement, Benedict the thirteenth was assumed. At length by certain cardinals of Gregory and Benedict a council was celebrated at Pisa, in the year of the Lord 1408, and with Gregory and Benedict deposed, as far as was in them, there was elected to the papacy Brother Peter of Candia, master in theology, who was called Alexander the fifth, after whom John the twenty-third was elected, and so where first two contended now three contended. But with the mercy of God aiding, through the religious solicitude of Lord King Sigismund there was gathered the council of Constance, in which, with the three obediences at length convening, Gregory resigns his right. John and Benedict are deposed, and so, with the schism quieted, peace was restored to the Church. The twenty-second schism was in this our time between Pope Eugenius the fourth and the pseudo-pontiff Amadeus, duke of Savoy, called Felix. Indeed, when between the aforesaid Eugenius and the council of Basel, which began in the year 31, in the month of July, over certain things rashly attempted in its progress by certain fathers of that council which were never attempted by any other universal councils with one undoubted pontiff existing in the apostolic see, and especially over the place to which the Greeks were to come to treat of their union, a grave and exceedingly scandalous dissension had arisen, for to such an extent grew the audacity of certain impious men who after the dissolution of the council of Basel obstinately remained, that they profaned Amadeus, duke of Savoy, as pseudo-pontiff, whom they named Felix; to whom, although few except those of his dominion obeyed, nevertheless by stupid presumption the Church was wounded. But with Eugenius dead and our most blessed lord Nicholas the fifth succeeding, at the suggestion of the most illustrious kings and lords, namely the king of France and of England, the aforesaid lord Amadeus desisted from the enterprise of the supreme pontificate, which Amadeus, as much for nobility of blood as for peace restored to the Church, our most holy lord Nicholas receiving with the greatest charity for his clemency, instituted and created him perpetual cardinal legate with certain prerogatives in the whole land of Savoy, and so, thanks be to God, the schism was quieted.