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)

FOLIA THEOLOGICA 14 (2003) 161 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 Aspects) Walter Ullmann and Charles Duggan, summarizing the general opinion of ecclesiastical historians, have called Lateran Council IV (1215) the most important medieval council before Trent (1545-1563).1 Lateran IV was the twelfth in the historical order of the general councils. 1. The models upon which church councils were organized from the second part of the 2nd century were the koinon and the concilia provinciarum. The koinon had its origins from Greek law (which re­mained in force the Eastern part of the Roman Empire), while the concilia provinciarum was a yearly meeting of the citizens of the western provinces of the Roman Empire. The bishops of a particu­lar territory were required to meet in councils in order to discuss the most important issues of the Church.2 For example, such issues included the various doctrinal errors, heresies, or liturgical ques­tions (such as the establishment of a day for Easter). When the Church was recognized by the Roman Empire, obtaining its free­dom, councils extending to entire provinces (e.g., Africa, Gallia, Hispania) became more common. These councils generally passed resolutions relating to disciplinary or dogmatic problems. The councils held in Rome enjoyed a distinguished place among the 1 DUGGAN, Ch., “Lateran Councils” in New Catholic Enciclopedia, New York 1967. 8. 407. ULLMANN, W., A Short History of the Papacy in the Middle Ages, London 1972. 221. 2 Cf. ERDŐ, P., Az ókeresztény kor egyházfegyelme (Ókeresztény írók 5), Bu­dapest 1983. 21-27.

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