Civil Constitution of the Clergy

The law of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (Fr. "Constitution civile du clergé"), passed July 12, 1790 during the French Revolution, subordinated the Roman Catholic Church in France to the French government.

Related Topics:
July 12 - 1790 - French Revolution - Roman Catholic - France

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It is often erroneously stated that this law confiscated the Church's French land holdings or banned monastic vows: that had already been accomplished by earlier legislation. It did, however, complete the destruction of the monastic orders, legislating out of existence "all regular and secular chapters for either sex, abbacies and priorships, both regular and in commendam, for either sex", etc. http://history.hanover.edu/texts/civilcon.htm

Related Topics:
Monastic vows - In commendam

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Perhaps surprisingly, some of the support from this came from figures within the Church, such as the priest and parliamentarian Pierre Claude François Daunou, and, above all, the revolutionary priest Henri Grégoire.

Related Topics:
Pierre Claude François Daunou - Henri Grégoire

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The measure was opposed, but ultimately acquiesced to, by King Louis XVI.

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