July 12, 1790Reputable sourceWell documented
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy
On the timeline · around July 12, 1790 ·
What happened
On 12 July 1790 the Assembly passed the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, placing the Catholic Church in France under state control. It reduced the number of bishops, made priests and bishops elected and salaried officials, and required the clergy to swear an oath of loyalty to the nation.
Why it matters
The law split the country: many priests and devout Catholics refused the oath, turning them against the Revolution and opening a deep religious rift that would feed years of counter-revolution.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Civil Constitution of the Clergy · Reputable source