Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Abbreviations
- List of Illustrations
- Introduction: Benedict XII, the Guardian of Orthodoxy
- 1 Jacques Fournier and Thirteenth-Century Inquisitorial Methods
- 2 Recovering a Theological Advice by Jacques Fournier
- 3 Benedict XII and the Beatific Vision
- 4 A New Seat for the Papacy: Benedict XII, Avignon, and the Comtat Venaissin
- 5 In the Footsteps of St Peter: New Light on the Half-Length Images of Benedict XII by Paolo da Siena and Boniface VIII by Arnolfo di Cambio in Old St Peter’s
- 6 Benedict XII and Italy: Restoring Orthodoxy and Consolidating Papal Sovereignty after John XXII
- 7 Benedict XII and the Outbreak of the Hundred Years’ War
- 8 Benedict XII and the Crusades
- 9 Benedict XII and the Partes Orientis
- Index of Names
- Index of Subjects
3 - Benedict XII and the Beatific Vision
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 December 2020
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Abbreviations
- List of Illustrations
- Introduction: Benedict XII, the Guardian of Orthodoxy
- 1 Jacques Fournier and Thirteenth-Century Inquisitorial Methods
- 2 Recovering a Theological Advice by Jacques Fournier
- 3 Benedict XII and the Beatific Vision
- 4 A New Seat for the Papacy: Benedict XII, Avignon, and the Comtat Venaissin
- 5 In the Footsteps of St Peter: New Light on the Half-Length Images of Benedict XII by Paolo da Siena and Boniface VIII by Arnolfo di Cambio in Old St Peter’s
- 6 Benedict XII and Italy: Restoring Orthodoxy and Consolidating Papal Sovereignty after John XXII
- 7 Benedict XII and the Outbreak of the Hundred Years’ War
- 8 Benedict XII and the Crusades
- 9 Benedict XII and the Partes Orientis
- Index of Names
- Index of Subjects
Summary
Abstract
This chapter offers a synthetic overview of the role played by Benedict XII in the resolution of the Beatific Vision controversy initiated by the previous pope, John XXII. The first part of the chapter sums up the controversy. The second part analyses the role played by the pope, the cardinals, and the theologians in elaborating at Pont-sur-Sorgue the definition of the Catholic doctrine eventually published in the bull Benedictus Deus. Published on 29 January 1336, this bull establishes the dogma, thereby ending the controversy once and for all. At Pont-sur-Sorgue, the treatises written on the subject by Jacques Fournier as a cardinal were read. They contain his personal theology of the Beatific Vision, which are taken into account in the last part of this chapter.
Keywords: Beatific Vision, Avignon papacy, Benedict XII, John XXII, theological controversies
The pontificate of Jacques Fournier (1334–1342), third of the Avignonese popes, witnessed great advances not only as a result of his construction of a new papal palace combined with renewed efforts to reform, in particular, the religious orders, but also by encouraging missionary efforts in both Mongolia and China. In Spain too, he led the resistance against the invasion of African Muslims. Fournier's first task, however, was to resolve the crisis of the Beatific Vision, initiated by John XXII, and this he did by preparing and promulgating the constitution Benedictus Deus. This chapter offers a three-part discussion of Benedict XII's role in resolving the controversy: first, it presents a general background to the controversy; second, it defines the doctrine in Benedictus Deus; and, finally, it considers the originality and relevance of this pope as a private theologian.
Jacques Fournier Confronted with the Crisis of the Beatific Vision: ‘Light of the Sacred Palace’
Jacques Fournier's biography will inevitably be discussed at various points throughout this volume, hence only the briefest of reminders is necessary to indicate his key role in the controversy over the Beatific Vision. Born c.1280–1285 in Saverdun (Ariège), Fournier sprang from modest origins, probably coming from a family of millers. Promoted by his uncle, Arnaud Novel, Fournier made his religious profession at the Cistercian Abbey of Boulbonne, subsequently moving to Fontfroide as abbot in 1311.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Pope Benedict XII (1334–1342)The Guardian of Orthodoxy, pp. 81 - 106Publisher: Amsterdam University PressPrint publication year: 2018
- 1
- Cited by