History

• The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was signed by the French National Assembly on July 12, 1790. Prior to this signing, and prior to the French Revolution, French clergy were already limited in their ability to practice religious law in society. This restriction was enforced on them by the 1682 Declaration of the Clergy of France.
  The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was also preceded by the removal of tithing, or the required monetary contribution of the church's members, an income that the church greatly depended on. Church properties became state-owned and were used for revenue purposes. Additionally, all congregations that were allowed to exist were limited to childhood education and health care.
  
  

Significance

• The reasons for the need to enforce the Civil Constitution of the Clergy were based on the fact that the French government was facing bankruptcy and the churches owned over 15 percent of the French land. Churches had a steady stream of income from the tithing practices, so they were seen as a strong economic resource in 1790 France.
  People who wanted growth and change in society saw the Catholic church as hindering that change, and yet others were generally opposed the church's teachings. On the other hand, the push for the absolute rule of France as a kingdom was also opposed in society, and the Civil Constitution of the Clergy was developed in the face of these controversies.
  
  

Time Frame

• Even though the French National Assembly signed the Civil Constitution of the Clergy on July 12, 1790, its signing by Louis the XVI was delayed due to his request for authentication from Rome. It wasn't until December 26, 1790 that Louis the XVI approved the Civil Constitution of the Clergy to take effect in the two months to follow.
  
  

Misconceptions

• The Civil Constitution of the Clergy is not responsible for the confiscation of church properties in France during the 17th and 18th century. It was the 1682 Declaration of the Clergy of France that is responsible for the confiscations. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy did remove different church orders, however, in a plan to legislate a more streamlined form of Catholicism that aligned under the governmental policies in France.
  
  

Features

• The Civil Constitution of the Clergy addressed several key features of the Catholic church's administration in France. It set guidelines of how bishops and priests were to be chosen through their electoral process. It stated that foreign church authorities were not to be acknowledged in the matters of the church in France. It further abolished the many sub positions and titles within the church, with the intent of streamlining its structure and hierarchy.
  The Civil Constitution of the Church set the standard of how to conduct church elections, inclusive of the solemn oath of loyalty to the nation, law and king by supporting this developed constitution. It also set the standard for residency of the clergy, inclusive of how their salaries were to be calculated. Lastly, it addressed the time commitment that was expected of the bishops, priests and other church officers.
  
  

Effects

• The Civil Constitution of the Clergy afforded the now nationalized churches several changes. Bishops were decreased from 135 to 83 for church departments, and local elections were held to select bishops and priests. This held the requirement of signing an oath of loyalty to the new constitution, and ironically, nonCatholics were allowed to vote.
  The Civil Constitution of the Clergy also reduced the reach of the Pope's authority in the elections. The Pope only had to be told the results of the elections, instead of having the authority to select bishops and priests for these positions. However, elected clergy found that the new constitution demanded more loyalty and allegiance to the state than to the church.