Die Kontroverse um den usus pauper – Eine Gewissensfrage ?

It is well known that the controversy over usus pauper and concerning the observance of the Rule in the Franciscan 0rder in general entailed conflicts of conscience for many Friars Minor, but especially for the so-called “Spiritual Franciscans”. These involve the tension between the vow of poverty and the vow of obedience, in particular to superiors and to the pope. Following David Burr’s interpretations, this contribution shows that there was an additional  antagonism in the dispute over usus pauper: on the one hand those who wanted to relieve the conscience of the individual friar in his l activity, on the other hand , such as Olivi, who were ready to take on the question of conscience implied in every attempt to live according to the Rule.