The Excommunication of Phocius and Emperor Basil's Coup

  • Following the excommunication of Ignatius by Phocius, another emperor, Basil the Macedonian, comes to power through a coup.
  • Basil the Macedonian:
    • Leads a coup against Emperor Michael III.
    • Restores Ignatius to the throne.
    • Banishes Phocius.
  • Shortly thereafter, Pope Saint Nicholas dies in August.

The Fourth Council of Constantinople

  • Two years after the death of Pope Nicholas, the Fourth Council of Constantinople is called to rectify the Phocius-Ignatius dispute.
  • Basil reaches out to the new pope, Pope Adrian II, to suggest the ecumenical council.
  • Results:
    • Phocius is excommunicated.
    • Ignatius is restored as pope.
  • Significance:
    • This council will be the last ecumenical council for 254 years, not until the First Lateran Council in 1123.
    • Marks a period of stagnation in theological development in the Church.

Political Instability in the Ninth Century

  • Political landscape characterized by ineffective rulers and Holy Roman Emperors:
    • Examples of ineffective rulers include:
      • Charles the Bald, the last grandson of Charlemagne.
      • Louis the Stammer.
      • Charles the Fat.
    • The names reflect the lack of power or effectiveness these rulers exhibited.
  • Papacy faced even greater turmoil:
    • Life expectancy for a pope during this time was around one year, primarily due to political violence rather than age.
    • Political conflicts led to rapid successions of popes.
    • Example of violence: Pope John VIII was beaten to death in public.

Pope Formosus and His Controversial Papacy

  • Pope Formosus’ reign (late 9th century) lasted only five years, involving significant political strife.
  • Formosus faced multiple claimants to the Holy Roman Emperor throne and politically aligned with several, which led to his poor decision-making.
  • He ultimately died at the age of 80 on Easter Sunday.

The Synod of the Corpse

  • Following the death of Formosus, Pope Stephen VII was forced by Lambert II to exhume Formosus’s body for a trial known as the Synod of the Corpse.
  • Trial Proceedings:
    • Formosus’s exhumed body was dressed in pontifical robes and placed in a chair for the trial.
    • Charges against him included pluralism (the holding of more than one diocese).
    • A deacon was appointed as Formosus’s defense counsel.
    • Pope Stephen pronounced Formosus guilty and declared him never having been a pope.
    • Actions taken against Formosus’s body included:
      • Stripping of robes and cutting off three fingers from his right hand (the hand used to give blessings).
      • Dragging the body through the nave of Saint Peter and burying it.
    • Eventually, the body was desecrated and later recovered by a monk.
  • Aftermath of the Synod:
    • Pope Stephen VII met a violent end similar to his predecessors—strangled and died in prison soon after the Synod.
    • Two subsequent popes had very short reigns (one four months, the other twenty days).
    • Pope John IX was elected, and he annulled the acts of the Synod, restoring Formosus’s reputation.

Implications of Political Influence on Papacy

  • The events surrounding the Synod of the Corpse illustrate the political entanglements affecting the papacy in the ninth and tenth centuries.
  • These actions led to criticisms of the authority of the pope and questions about the papacy's integrity.
  • It highlights how the misconduct of individual popes does not undermine the authority or establishment of the papacy itself.
  • Historical parallels drawn—a nation's flawed leaders do not negate the role of governance.

The Reform Movement at Cluny Monastery

  • The establishment of the monastery at Cluny by Duke William of Aquitaine:
    • Founded as an expiation for past sins and a place for monks to pray for him.
    • Cluny operated independently from local bishops because it was under direct papal jurisdiction.
  • Cluny Monastery became a center for church reform, leading to:
    • The establishment of monastic reforms throughout Europe inspired by Cluny.
    • Notable reformist popes emerged from Cluny, such as:
      • Pope Gregory VII
      • Pope Urban II
      • Pope Leo IX
  • This marks a significant shift in the church towards renewed vigor and reform following a tumultuous period.

Conclusion

  • The history from the late ninth century to the establishment of Cluny illustrates significant political and ecclesiastical challenges.
  • The evolution of the papacy and its struggles emphasizes the resilience of the church through reform efforts and the enduring importance of papal authority despite historical controversies.