History The Middle Ages Questions
The Great Schism had a significant impact on the Catholic Church. It resulted in a division within the church, leading to the formation of two rival popes and two competing centers of power. This caused a loss of unity and authority within the church, as different regions and individuals aligned themselves with either the Roman Pope or the Avignon Pope. The schism also led to a decline in the church's moral authority and credibility, as the split was seen as a sign of corruption and political manipulation within the church. Additionally, the schism weakened the church's ability to effectively respond to challenges and threats, both internally and externally. It took several decades and multiple attempts to resolve the schism, which ultimately resulted in a loss of power and influence for the Catholic Church.