Papal Bull “Quia quorundam” Issued by Pope John XXII on May 25, 1328

On May 25, 1328, Pope John XXII issued the papal bull “Quia quorundam”, aiming to resolve ongoing disputes regarding the rights, privileges, and obligations of the Franciscan order, particularly concerning the contentious issue of apostolic poverty.

Context and Background

During the early 14th century, the Franciscan order faced internal divisions over interpretations of their rule, especially concerning the practice of poverty, which was central to their religious life. This debate was intensified by differing interpretations of the founder, Saint Francis of Assisi’s insistence on the renunciation of all property and material wealth, a matter that became contentious within the wider church.

Pope John XXII, who led the papacy from 1316 to 1334, was opposed to what he perceived as extreme interpretations of poverty advocated by the Spiritual Franciscans, a reform movement within the order that took a radical stance on property and ownership. The controversy reached a boiling point as it began to implicate larger theological issues related to papal authority and orthodoxy.

Key Issues Addressed

1. Definition of Use of Property: The bull clarified the Church’s stance on the communal ownership of property. It sought to delineate the permissible extent of property use without contradicting the Franciscans’ vow of poverty.

2. Limitations on Absolute Poverty: “Quia quorundam” attempted to moderate the Franciscans’ extreme views, underlining the necessity for a structured approach to poverty that did not diminish the overall authority of the Church.

3. Papal Authority: By addressing these matters, Pope John XXII reinforced the principle that interpretations of religious tenets must be in alignment with the broader doctrines of the Church and under the purview of papal interpretation.

Consequences and Significance

• Conflict and Schism: The issuance of “Quia quorundam” did not resolve the disputes but instead exacerbated tensions between the Spiritual Franciscans and the papal authority, leading to further schisms and dissent within the church community.

• Doctrinal Clarification: The bull played a critical role in establishing a clearer doctrinal stance on poverty that aligned with church orthodoxy, setting precedents for subsequent theological debates and decisions.

• Legacy in Church History: The challenges addressed by the bull highlighted the complexities of balancing religious ideals with practical governance, a recurring theme in the history of church doctrine and the relationship between individual orders and overarching ecclesiastical authority.

Through “Quia quorundam”, Pope John XXII aimed to bring unity and clarity to the increasingly divisive issue of apostolic poverty, playing a pivotal role in the ongoing discourse between religious ideals and institutional power within the medieval Church.