The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was an act passed during the French Revolution that subordinated the Roman Catholic Church to the state. Under the act, citizens would elect clergymen and the state would pay their wages. When the National Assembly ordered the clergy to take an oath supporting the Civil Constitution, many refused. The resulting schism within the French church caused many Catholics to turn against the Revolution. What effect did the constitution have on monastic orders? Discuss (http://forum.thefreedictionary.com/postst17318_French-National-Assembly-Adopts-Civil-Constitution-of-the-Clergy--1790-.aspx)
Source: The Free Dictionary Encyclopedia.