Final answer:
The Avignon papacy weakened the influence of the church in western Europe by compromising papal authority and causing internal church conflicts. These events eventually led to the Great Western Schism and planted the seeds for future challenges to papal supremacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of the Avignon Papacy on the Western Church
The period of the Avignon papacy significantly weakened the church's influence in western Europe. This era was marked by a series of popes residing in Avignon, France, rather than in Rome, leading to a perception that the papacy was under the influence of French monarchs. This situation contributed to the loss of papal authority and paved the way for political conflicts over papal succession that culminated in the Great Western Schism. The schism resulted in multiple claimants to the papal throne, further undermining the church's unity and authority.
The shifting of the papacy to Avignon represented the growing power of secular monarchs and exemplified a trend toward national monarchies seeking to increase their power relative to the church. Throughout the Avignon period, the church found itself entangled in regional power struggles, with seven popes residing in France, influenced by the French king.
Theological conflicts and leadership crises during this time eroded the church's reputation and caused many to question its piety and integrity. This period did not lead to immediate reforms, but it set the stage for future movements aiming to challenge papal supremacy and to seek a greater say for councils of clergy.