What Were The Specific Implications Of The 1439 Council Of Florence's Attempted Reunification Of The Eastern And Western Churches On The Subsequent Ecclesiastical Politics Of The Papal States, Particularly In Regards To The Conciliarist Sympathies Of The Roman Curia And The Reactions Of The Mendicant Orders To The Council's Concessions To Greek Orthodox Doctrine?

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The Council of Florence (1439) had significant implications for the ecclesiastical politics of the Papal States, particularly in relation to the Roman Curia and the mendicant orders. Here's a structured summary of the implications:

Strengthening Papal Authority and Decline of Conciliarism

  • Context: The Council of Florence was convened by Pope Eugene IV amidst the conciliarist movement, which emphasized council authority over papal power. The council's success in achieving a temporary union with the Greek Orthodox Church bolstered the Pope's position.
  • Impact on Roman Curia: The successful convening of the council and the temporary union undermined conciliarist arguments, leading the Roman Curia to align more closely with the Pope. This reduced conciliarist sympathies within the Curia, as the Pope's ability to achieve a major council and union demonstrated his authority.

Reactions of Mendicant Orders

  • Mendicant Orders: The council's concessions to Greek Orthodox doctrine, such as the Filioque clause and Eucharistic practices, divided the mendicant orders.
  • Dominicans: As strong supporters of papal authority, the Dominicans generally accepted the concessions, viewing them as necessary for reunification.
  • Franciscans: The Franciscans, especially the Observants, were more critical. Their resistance to doctrinal compromises led to internal tensions and divisions within the order.

Long-term Consequences

  • Failure of Union: The eventual failure of the union, particularly after the fall of Constantinople (1453), led some to question the value of the concessions, further polarizing opinions within the mendicant orders.
  • Consolidation of Papal Power: The Curia's support for the Pope continued to consolidate papal authority, diminishing the conciliar movement's influence.

In conclusion, the Council of Florence reinforced papal authority, reducing conciliarist sympathies in the Roman Curia, while causing divisions among mendicant orders, particularly between those who supported papal initiatives and those who resisted doctrinal concessions.