The Christian Church is an instrument of salvation and represents the Body of Christ through its saving mission of Christ himself. Salvation is an evident expression of God's mercy. The church is able to continue with Christ through the incarnation due to it being an extension of his body. The incarnation is viewed as the central historical event within the church because of its relation to the common destiny of man being possible only if God becomes man himself. Through the Eucharist, the church is able to offer man salvation as long as its members maintain unity within the Body of Christ. The Eucharist is the center of Catholic life and is a way of unifying all Christian followers. Officials who hold offices within the church are tied to particular obligations and are expected to, not only lead moral lives but also, represent the church as a unified body. The Papal Office was considered to be the highest office in the church. Unfortunately, throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, there were numerous problems among the Papal officers which affected both the church and the Body of Christ.
             A major conflict arose within the church dealing with the Papal office. There was an evident abuse of power amid the Papal officers which caused for the tearing up of the Body of Christ. Due to this misuse of power and moral failing of officers, a voluntary exile of the Papacy took place and lead to its division. The Pope, Clement V, was relocated from Rome to Avignon, France. This relocation was also known as the Babylonian Captivity (1309-1377) since the Pope was "captive" in a foreign land. Moving to Avignon placed the church under the authority of the French Monarchy. The papacy in Avignon became a major religious and commercial center and Avignon as a whole grew in size. Now under the rule of the French King there was a strong French political influence placed upon Papacy. Pope Clement V began the Avignon Papacy i...