Folia Theologica 14. (2003)

Szabolcs Anzelm Szuromi: A Turning Point in the History of the General Councils of the West in the 13th Century (A Critical Summary on the Importance of the Constitutions of the Fourth Lateran Council [1215] According to its Theological, Canonical and Historical Aspect)

A TURNING POINT

163

2. Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) had intended to convoke a council5 which would put to rest a number of theological and disciplinary problems within the Church as well as mend the rift between the Roman Church and the Orthodox. On November 12, 1199, the Byzantine Emperor, Alexis Komnenos, together with the Patriarch of Constantinople, had proposed that a council be held which could alleviate the strained relations between the Eastern and Western Church.6 Pope Innocent III agreed and strengthened his resolve to convoke such a council. However, he also saw the need for reform in the Church, including reform of the Roman curia itself. Unfortunately, the occupation of Constantinople by crusader armies on April 12, 1204 greatly impeded the fulfillment of the Pope's wish to restore unity to the Church.7 In the meantime, Innocent III attempted to address the issue of the political relation between the Holy See and the German Emperor. The Pope wanted the Emperor to acknowledge that the Pope had the right to judge the Emperor. Moreover, the Pope wanted to suppress the meddling of secular powers in appointments to ecclesiastical posts. This desire of the Pope surely meant a restriction of the scope of the Concordat of Worms (1122).8 That the efforts of Innocent III were successful is evidenced by the outcome of the Contract of Neuss (1201) and the Promise of Speyer (1209) signed by Otto IV (1198-1218).9 Later on,

Oecuméniques Médiévaux I), Louvain 1974.

5 TILLMANN, H„ Innocenz III., Bonn 1954. 152-168.

6 VAUCHEZ, A. (ed.), Apogée de la papauté et expansion de le chrétienté (1054-1274) [Histoire du Christianisme de origines nos jours 5], Paris 1993. 543.

7 ULLMANN, W., A Short History of the Papacy, 215. cf. CONDORELLI, O., Unum corpus, diversa capita. Modelli di organizzazione e cura pastorale per una "varietas ecclesiarum" (secoli XI-XV) [I libri di Erice 29], Roma 2002. 61-69.

8 ULLMANN, W., A Short History of the Papacy, 210-213.

9 (...) Illum igitur abolere volentes abusum, quem interdum quidam predecessorum nostrorum exercuisse dicuntur in electione prelarorum, concedimus et sanctimus, út electiones prelatorum libere ac canonice fiant, quatinus ille prefitiatur ecclesie viduate quem totum capitulum vel maior et sanior pars ipsius duxerit eligendum, dum modo nichil ei obstet de canonicis institutis. Appellationes autem in negociis et causis ecclesiasticis ad apostolicam sedem libere fiant eorumque prosecutionem sive processum nullusimpedire présumât. Illum quoque dimittimus et refutamus abusum, quem in occupandis bonis decedentium prelatorum aut etiam ecclesiarum