Grace Thompson
The Catholic Church recognises 21 ecumenical councils, which are gatherings of Catholic bishops from around the world, convened at the invitation of the Pope, to decide on matters of the Church with him. Ecumenical councils are considered to be free from doctrinal error and their teachings are authoritative, though not infallible. The Pope does not need to be present for a council to be considered ecumenical, but a council must be ratified by the Pope in order to be considered valid and orthodox. The first seven ecumenical councils, from the First Council of Nicaea (325) to the Second Council of Nicaea (787), were recognised in whole or in part by both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church. The Catholic Church continues to hold general councils of bishops in full communion with the Pope, recognising them as ecumenical.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature | Councils are a concentration of the ruling powers of the Church for decisive action. |
| Structure | Councils are led by the Pope, who may not attend in person but is represented by legates. |
| Purpose | Councils settle questions of faith and discipline, and decide on matters of the Church. |
| Frequency | Councils should meet frequently and at regular intervals. |
| Authority | Councils are authoritative but not infallible. |
| Doctrine | Councils do not introduce new teachings but affirm or reaffirm existing ones. |
| Ecumenism | Ecumenical councils are recognised by both Eastern and Western Christianity. |
| Canon Law | Councils deal with disciplinary matters, which are decided in canons ("laws"). |
| Ratification | Councils must be ratified by the Pope to be considered valid and orthodox. |
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What You'll Learn
The role of the Pope in Catholic councils
The Pope plays a crucial role in Catholic councils, which are gatherings of Catholic bishops from around the world convened at the Pope's invitation to decide on matters of the Church with him. The Pope is responsible for initiating and leading these councils, which are known as ecumenical councils and are recognised by both Eastern and Western Christianity.
The Pope's role in Catholic councils is significant, as he sets the agenda and presides over the proceedings. In the past, Popes have opened councils with solemn liturgies, blessings, and prayers, setting a sacred tone for the discussions to come. The Pope's presence and guidance help ensure that the council's decisions align with the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church.
One example of a Pope's influence on a Catholic council is the Second Vatican Council, also known as Vatican II, which was announced by Pope John XXIII in 1959 and held from 1962 to 1965. This council was a pivotal event in the history of Catholicism, aiming for spiritual renewal and unity among Christians. Pope John XXIII and later Pope John Paul II affirmed the importance of this council, which produced 16 documents that enacted modernising changes in the Church.
Another example is the Council of Trent, the 19th Ecumenical Council, which lasted from 1545 to 1563 under five popes: Paul III, Julius III, Marcellus II, Paul IV, and Pius IV. This council addressed the errors promulgated by Luther and other Reformers, issuing numerous decrees and producing beneficial results for the Church.
In addition to convening and leading ecumenical councils, Popes also play a role in recognising and approving the decrees of particular councils. Ecumenical councils are distinguished from particular councils, which can be either plenary (involving bishops from a single country) or provincial (involving bishops from an ecclesiastical province). The Pope's approval verifies that a council is ecumenical, as seen with the Council of Ephesus, which was mainly doctrinal in nature, and the Council of Vatican II, which was pastoral.
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The authority of Catholic councils
The Catholic Church recognises 21 ecumenical councils, which are defined as "a solemn congregation of the Catholic bishops of the world at the invitation of the Pope to decide on matters of the Church with him". Ecumenical councils are recognised by both Eastern and Western Christianity. In addition to these, there are also "particular councils", which can be either plenary councils or provincial councils. Plenary councils involve the bishops of an episcopal conference, usually from a single country, while provincial councils involve the bishops of an ecclesiastical province.
The councils themselves are made up of the leaders of the Church, acting as both judges and teachers, and their purpose is to settle questions of faith and discipline. The decisions made at these councils are not considered to be new teachings but rather affirmations or reaffirmations of existing teachings. When a council "defines" a teaching, it clarifies a long-standing teaching that has been called into question by a heretical group. For example, at the Council of Ephesus, it was "defined" that Mary is the Mother of God, reaffirming a teaching of the Early Church that had been denied by the Nestorians.
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The structure of Catholic councils
The Catholic Church recognises 21 ecumenical councils that have occurred over a period of approximately 1900 years. Ecumenical councils are "world-wide" and are defined as a "solemn congregation of the Catholic bishops of the world at the invitation of the Pope to decide on matters of the Church with him". The pope does not need to attend a council for it to be considered ecumenical, and the earliest councils were held in the East, with reigning popes sending legates to represent them.
In addition to ecumenical councils, there are also "particular councils". Current Canon Law recognises two kinds of particular councils: plenary councils, which involve the bishops of an episcopal conference (usually a single country), and provincial councils, which involve the bishops of an ecclesiastical province.
The first general gathering of the bishops of the Church was the Council of Jerusalem, which took place around AD 50. This council is usually not counted as an ecumenical council, as it occurred before Emperor Constantine granted the Church freedom from persecution. However, it is considered by most Christian denominations to express a key part of Christian doctrine and moral teaching.
The first ecumenical council was the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325, which formulated the original Nicene Creed and defined the equality of God the Father and Christ, his son. Other notable ecumenical councils include the First Council of Constantinople in AD 381, which further defined the Nicene Creed; the Council of Ephesus in AD 431, which proclaimed the Virgin Mary as the Theotokos ("Mother of God"); and the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451, which defined the two natures (divine and human) of Jesus Christ.
The structure and procedures of Catholic councils are designed to facilitate decisive action and the settlement of questions of faith and discipline. The opening of a council typically involves a solemn liturgy, with the Pope entering the cathedral in liturgical vestments and taking their place on the papal throne before addressing the council and opening it formally. Councils may issue magisterial documents such as constitutions, decrees, and declarations, and their decisions are intended to affirm or reaffirm existing teachings of the Church.
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The impact of Catholic councils
Catholic councils have had a significant impact on the Church's teachings, doctrines, and practices over the centuries. The decisions made at these councils have helped shape Catholic theology and addressed various theological controversies and challenges.
One of the earliest ecumenical councils, the First Council of Nicaea (325 AD), formulated the Nicene Creed, defining the equality of God the Father and Christ, his son. It taught that Jesus was of the same substance as God the Father, a doctrine known as consubstantiality. This council also fixed the date for celebrating Easter, addressing a dispute between Quartodecimans and other Christians.
The First Council of Constantinople (381 AD) added to the Nicene Creed, defining the divinity of the Holy Spirit, a doctrine derived from Apostolic Tradition but not explicitly stated in the Bible. This council also addressed heresies propagated by followers of Macedonius, who denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit.
The Council of Ephesus (431 AD) proclaimed the Virgin Mary as Theotokos, or "Mother of God," rejecting Nestorianism, which denied the unity of Christ's divinity and humanity.
The Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) further clarified the two natures of Christ, teaching that he is fully God and fully human, each with distinct wills.
The First Lateran Council (1123 AD), the first council held in Rome, abolished the right of lay princes to investiture with ring and crosier, addressing issues of church discipline and the recovery of the Holy Land.
The Council of Trent (1545-1563), the longest-lasting council, issued numerous decrees addressing errors promulgated by Protestant Reformers like Luther, reaffirming Catholic doctrines, and reforming church discipline.
The First Vatican Council (1869-1870) defined papal infallibility and primacy, addressing the relationship between faith and reason.
The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) issued pastoral documents on the renewal and reform of the Church, aiming to make it more effective in engaging with the modern world.
Catholic councils have also addressed various other issues, including clerical celibacy, monastic orders, crusades, and relations with the Greek Orthodox Church. They have played a crucial role in shaping Catholic theology, addressing controversies, and adapting the Church to changing historical contexts.
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The relationship between Catholic councils and other Christian denominations
The Catholic Church recognises 21 ecumenical councils, which are defined as "world-wide" congregations of Catholic bishops from across the world, invited by the Pope to decide on Church matters. Ecumenical councils are not recognised by non-trinitarian churches, such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Jehovah's Witnesses. However, Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox accept the authority of ecumenical councils in principle.
The relationship between Catholicism and the Eastern Orthodox churches is contentious when it comes to the validity of ecumenical councils. The Catholic Church holds that recognition by the Pope is essential for a council to be considered ecumenical, whereas the Eastern Orthodox Church views the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) as equivalent to other patriarchs. Some Eastern Orthodox Christians believe that a council is only ecumenical when all five patriarchs of the Pentarchy are represented. The first seven ecumenical councils, from the First Council of Nicaea to the Second Council of Nicaea, were attempts to reach an orthodox consensus and unify Christendom.
The earliest councils were held in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, and the Pope did not attend, although he sent legates to represent him. Later, the Pope would approve the decrees of the councils, verifying their ecumenical nature. Ecumenical councils are not the only type of council in the Catholic Church; there are also "particular councils", which can be either plenary or provincial. Plenary councils involve the bishops of an episcopal conference, usually a single country, while provincial councils involve the bishops of an ecclesiastical province.
The decisions made at Catholic ecumenical councils have sometimes impacted the Church's relationship with other Christian denominations. For example, the Council of Trent, which lasted from 1545 to 1563, examined and condemned the errors promulgated by Luther and other Reformers, contributing to the advent of Protestantism. The Council of Ephesus, which defined Mary as the Mother of God, was called to address the denial of the unity of the divinity and humanity of Christ by the Nestorians.
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Frequently asked questions
Ecumenical councils are "solemn congregations of Catholic bishops worldwide, invited by the Pope to decide on matters of the Church with him". The Catholic Church recognizes 21 ecumenical councils, while the Eastern Orthodox Church recognizes seven.
Councils are not considered infallible and can be overruled. However, they are still authoritative and play a crucial role in shaping the teachings and doctrines of the Church.
The Pope plays a vital role in ecumenical councils. A council is recognized as ecumenical once its works are approved by the Pope. The Pope's presence at a council is not necessary for it to be considered ecumenical.
Individual Catholics may struggle with certain teachings or find themselves at odds with specific councils. However, the Church emphasizes the importance of fidelity to the councils, even if personal interpretation may vary. The role of councils is to guide and clarify, not to impose, and Catholics are encouraged to seek understanding and evidence within the context of their faith.
