The Latin Schism

The Great Schism of 1054 CE

It was primarily driven by disputes over papal authority, and other issues. The Catholic Church emphasized the Pope’s supreme, universal jurisdiction, which the Eastern Orthodox rejected, preferring a system of collegial patriarchs. Furthermore, the West added “and the Son” (Filioque) to the Nicene Creed regarding the Holy Spirit›s procession, which the East rejected as heresy.

Furthermore, the Latin Church (West) altered the Nicene Creed to state the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. The East held that the Spirit proceeds from the Father alone, viewing the insertion of this (Filioque Clause) as invalid and heresy. In addition, Rome enforced mandatory celibacy for all priests (stay single unmarried), while the East allowed married men to be ordained as priests (though bishops remained celibate).