-
325
NICAEA
Nicene Creed; divinity of Christ, condemned Arianism; Easter observance set. -
431
EPHESUS
Defended Mary as the mother of God; condemned Nestorianism which held there were two distinct persons in the Incarnate Christ. -
451
CHALCEDON
Condemned Monophysitism by defining two distinct natures of Christ: Jesus fully human and divine. -
553
CONSTANTINOPLE II
Confirmed Chalcedon; condemned heresies like Monotheletism that held Christ had only one will. -
Aug 5, 1123
lateran
First council after the Great Eastern Schism. Condemned practice of lay princes in investiture of bishops. Called for recovery of the Holy Land. -
Aug 5, 1139
LATERAN II
Enacted reforms suggested by St. Bernard of Clairvaux; condemned certain heresies; declared null and void decrees by the deceased antipope Anticletus II. -
Aug 5, 1179
LATERAN III
Established the Sacred Conclave as voting body to elect Pope by 2/3rds majority; condemned the Albigensian and Waldensian heresies. -
Aug 5, 1215
LATERAN IV
Defined ex cathedra: from the chair of Peter and "There is but one Universal church, outside of which there is no salvation." Set in stone the term Transubstantiation for the mystery of the Eucharist. Ordered annual confession and Easter Communion. -
Aug 5, 1245
lyons
Called for a new Crusade. Excommunicated and deposed Emperor Frederick II. -
Aug 5, 1274
lyon11
Filioque clause officially added to the Creed. Attempted reconciliation with Eastern Catholics. Decreed that papal elections should begin 10 days after death of the Pope. -
Aug 5, 1311
VIENNE
Reformation of the clergy and Catholic universities; called for a new Crusade; dealt with the charges against the Knights Templar; defined the relation of the soul to the human body; condemned false mysticism. -
Aug 5, 1414
constance
Put an end to the Western Schism (Avignon Popes vs. Rome); issued reform decrees in "head and members", condemned Wycliffe and Hus. -
Aug 5, 1431
BASEL-FLORENCE
Affirmed papal primacy against Conciliarists who said a general council was superior to the Pope; attempted reunion with Eastern church. -
Aug 5, 1512
Lateran v
Disciplinary decrees-defined the relation of Pope to a general council, condemned philosophers who taught human soul was mortal and only one for all mankind; discussed religious upheaval in Germany caused by Luther. -
Aug 5, 1545
Trent
Condemned Lutheranism and other errors in teaching that resulted from Protestant movement; proclaimed Bible and Tradition as rule of faith; defined doctrine on the Mass, the sacraments, justification, purgatory, indulgences, invocation of saints, veneration of sacred images, issued decrees on marriage and clerical reform. -
Vatican
Defined the nature of revelation and faith, the relation of faith and reason; and infallibility of the Pope when speaking ex cathedra in matters of faith and morals. Condemned pantheism, materialism, deism, naturalism, and fideism. -
Vatican II
Convoked by Pope John XXIII "mainly to more effectively preserve and present the sacred deposit of Christian doctrine." Sixteen documents reaffirmed the principles of Catholic faith and morality, authorized numerous changes in the Eucharistic liturgy, the ritual of the sacraments, and in the church's administrative structure. These documents and liturgical reforms defined the Church in the modern age. -
COUNCIL OF JERUSALEM
Decisions made on conversions and circumcision. It was decided that it was not necessary for converts to submit to the Old Covenant laws like circumcision. -
CONSTANTINOPLE
Expanded the Creed; defeated Arianism; condemned Macedonians who the denied divinity of the Holy Spirit. -
CONSTANTINOPLE III
Defeat of Monotheletism by defining two wills of Christ as two distinct principles of operation in unity of purpose. -
NICAEA II
Regulated veneration of holy images; condemned Iconoclasts and defined that sacred images may be honored without idolatry. -
CONSTANTINOPLE IV
Condemned teachings of Photius Bishop of Constantinople. Last council attended by Eastern Church; beginning of the Great Eastern Schism.