It was a group of radical Franciscans who became the Fraticelli brotherhood, which literally means "little brothers." Their attempts to divide the church failed despite the lingering history of their schism against the Franciscan Order.
The Disagreement Between the ‘Carnal’ and the ‘Spiritual’ Church
Coming primarily out of Sicilu and Italy, the Fraticelli followed the writings of Joachim of Floris who had propounded a variety of unaccepted apocalyptic prophecies in his time. The Fraticello believed that they were following apostolic succession, the "spiritual" church. Whereas, in their view, the Roman Church was "carnal" and followed a false and decadent path.
Pope John XXII was adamantly against the Fraticelli, condemning their heresy in the bull Gloriosan Ecclesiam in 1318 A.D. He accused them of trying to split the church into two factions, which indeed they had done.
One monk, Angelo del Clareno, appeared to be behind the formation of many of the communities in Italy.
Another group known as the Michaelists were members of the Fraticelli heresy and established many communities. They were led by Michael of Cesena. Thus, the different name of their group.
Michael wrote many condemnations of the church, taking on church authority quite directly. He paid dearly for this war of words by being excommunicated from the Holy Roman Catholic Church in 1328, primarily for his disagreements and continued infighting regarding the authority of the papacy.
Reformers continued the work of the Fraticelli as they faded from view within 100 years of this excommunication and condemnation in Pope John XXII’s bull.
Heresy According to the Early Church Fathers
Sometimes, heresies would erupt from legitimate monastic orders, and the Early Church Fathers took an even harder exception to that type of mockery of legitimate authority. “But we should hold in suspicion others who depart from the primitive succession, and assemble themselves together in any place whatsoever – either as heretics of perverse minds, or as schismatics puffed up and self-pleasing.
Or they may be hypocrites, acting this way for the sake of money and vainglory.” (Irenaeus) A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs: A Reference Guide to More than 700 Topics Discussed by the Early Church Fathers – Edited by David W. Bercot
Other radical heresies of their time included the Flagellant Sects and those known as the followers of the Free Spirit.
Sources:
- Encyclopedia of Heresies and Heretics, by Charles S. Clifton.
- A Catholic Dictionary, by William E. Addis and Thomas Arnold, M.A.
- Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma , by Dr. Ludwig Ott
- A Short History of Christian Doctrine: From the First Century to the Present, by Bernhard Lohse.
- The Church in Crisis: A History of the General Councils, 325 - 1870, by Philip Hughes.
- A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs: A Reference Guide to More than 700 Topics Discussed by the Early Church Fathers, Edited by David W. Bercot.
