Western Schism
, in the history of the
Roman Catholic Church
, the period from 1378 to 1417, when there were two, and later three,
rival
popes
, each with his own following, his own
Sacred College of Cardinals
, and his own administrative offices.
Shortly after the return of the papal residence to
Rome
following almost 70 years of the
Avignon papacy
, the
archbishop
of Bari was elected
pope
as
Urban VI
amid demands by the Roman populace for “a Roman or at least an Italian.” Urban VI proved to be so hostile to the
cardinals
, who had assumed great powers during the years at Avignon, that a group of cardinals retired to
Anagni
and elected one of themselves, Robert of Geneva, as
Clement (VII)
, claiming the election of Urban VI had been invalid because it was made under fear. Clement (VII) then took up residence at
Avignon
. Although Roman Catholic church historians generally agree that Urban VI and his successors were the
legitimate
popes, there has never been an official pronouncement to this effect.
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The double election had disastrous effects upon the church. The followers of the two popes were divided chiefly along national lines, and thus the dual
papacy
fostered the political antagonisms of the time. The spectacle of rival popes denouncing each other produced great confusion and resulted in a tremendous loss of
prestige
for the papacy.
Various proposals for ending the
schism
were made, especially by the
University of Paris
, which suggested either mutual resignation or a decision by an independent tribunal or a general council. This last proposal was in line with the growing
conciliar movement
, according to which a general council has greater authority than a pope. Both lines of popes refused to submit. Eventually cardinals from both obediences, seeking to end the schism, arranged the
Council of Pisa
, which met in 1409 and elected a third pope,
Alexander V
, who was succeeded shortly thereafter by Baldassare Cossa, who took the name
John XXIII
. Under pressure from the emperor
Sigismund
, John convoked, in 1414, the
Council of Constance
, which
deposed
him, received the resignation of the Roman pope,
Gregory XII
, and dismissed the claims of the Avignon pope,
Benedict XIII
. That series of events opened the way to the election of
Martin V
in November 1417, whereby the schism was ended.