ABSTRACT
There was widespread agreement in the cahiers on the need for extensive reform to the Church, resulting in the Civil Constitution of the Clergy voted on 12 July 1790. There was no question of separating Church and State: the public functions of the Church were assumed to be integral to daily life, and the Assembly accepted that public revenues would support the Church financially after the abolition of the tithe. Most contentious, however, was the issue of how the clergy were to be appointed in future. To the trenchant objections from clerical deputies in the Assembly that the hierarchy of the Church was based on the principle of divine authority and on inspired appointment by superiors, other deputies retorted that this had resulted in nepotism, which election of priests would prevent.
THE ARCHBISHOP OF AIX: Does the ecclesiastical committee know how useful is the influence of religion on citizens? It is the brake that stops the wicked, it is encouragement for virtuous men. Religion is the seal on this declaration that provides man with his rights and his freedom; it is steadfast in its dogmas; its morals cannot change, and its doctrine will always be the same. The committee wishes to remind the clergy of the purity of the original Church. It is not bishops, successors to the apostles, it is not pastors, responsible for preaching the gospel, who can reject this method; but since the committee reminds us of our duties, it will allow us to remind it of our rights and of the sacred principles of ecclesiastical power. It must therefore be reminded of the essential authority of the Church; it is a question of the truths of religion. I will speak of them with all the confidence that befits ministers of the Lord. Jesus Christ passed on his mission to the apostles and to their successors for the salvation of the faithful; he entrusted it neither to the magistrates nor to the king; we are speaking of an order which magistrates and kings must obey. The mission that we have received through ordination and consecration goes right back to the apostles. …
Doubtless, abuses must be righted, and a new order of things be brought about. We believe that the ecclesiastical powers must do all they can to reconcile your wishes with the interests of religion; but it is with much sorrow that we witness these culpable designs to make episcopal powers disappear. …
Therefore we propose that you consult the Gallican Church by means of a national council. There resides the power that should watch over the centre of faith; it is there that, informed of our duties and our wishes, we will reconcile the interests of the people with those of religion. Thus we come to place the declaration of our sentiments in your hands. We most respectfully beg the king and the National Assembly to allow the convening of a national council. Should this proposition fail to be adopted, we declare ourselves unable to participate in the deliberations. …
M. TREILHARD: The principles of the French government had corrupted all classes of citizens; and the clergy, despite the virtues of some of its members, could not resist the influence of a bad constitution. Institutions with no purpose, useless men highly paid, useful men without reward, such are the evils that the current organisation of the clergy presents. Discussion is open as to the decree that the ecclesiastical committee has presented to you. Are the proposed changes useful? Do you have the right to prescribe them? These are the only objects of this discussion. …
But is it not clear that the way of elections will ensure the Church the pastor most suitable for such important responsibilities? … The first to be appointed after Jesus Christ, Saint Matthew, was elected by all the disciples, who numbered seventy-two. Two people had been chosen, and fate chose between them. The honourable member who said yesterday that pastors were elected solely by fate was thus telling only half the truth. … How can we re-establish an ancient order that gave the Church its splendour? Through elections entrusted to the people. It is said that these elections will give rise to cabals; but how many profane motives determined the old choices? … Let us throw a veil over the past: my aim, in this discussion, is neither to flatter malice nor to criticise the old régime. Yesterday it was said that non-Catholics would compete in the elections. I say, firstly, that in the current state of things many non-Catholics are appointed for benefices, even to the responsibility of souls; and secondly, it could be required of all electors that they declare that they profess Catholicism. I believe I have shown that the proposed changes are useful, and that they are established on foundations that should lead to good reforms.
It is time to examine whether you have the right to order these changes. Yes, you have the right to do it. Far from undermining religion, in ensuring that the faithful have the most honest and virtuous ministers, you are paying it the most worthy homage. He who believes that this would be to wound religion is forming a truly false idea of religion.
Source: Gazette nationale ou le Moniteur universel, no. 150, 30 May 1790; no. 151, 30 May 1790, pp. 491–2, 498–9.https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781032618814/e9ac31eb-0a68-4fdc-b417-e6e5b1e67c6c/content/fig5_Unfig_001.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>