The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-27
Convocations and Councils Of
the Catholic Church.

the Catholic Church.
>--,--~~~~~~~~-~~~~
Names Of tho Nineteen General or Ecume-
nical CeunciIs-Alode Of eummoning Each
TAeir Objects, Powers and influence
Convocation as Rome 60 Celebrate the
Eighteenth Centenary Of the Martsrden Of
Sc. Peter.
The immense convocation Of Catholic priests in Rome
present assist at the eighteenth centenary Of St
Peters martyrdom naturally makes the subject OF |
tho councils and convocaiions Of the Catholic Church
OF interest The rst great councils wero spochs In
the history Europe and their deliberations were re-
gadsd with tho deepest attention By all classes whether
within without the pale Of the Catholic Church II
would be impossible point out society on hisory's
page in which assemblies have been held, COM
bning them everything distinguished BY science and
judgment General, national, provincial councils and
diocesan synods to be met with every page Of
the history OF the Church. Such example held up
during centuries TO the view Of the people Of Europe
had exercised considerable influence all questions
Is we'll as that Of religion. In the nrst ages Of Chris
tiany councils were much easily assembled than
now because the Church less numerous and because
the united powers accumulated on the heads Of tho
smperors enabled Thorn TO call together sumcisnty
great number Of bishops TO make at once such an i'm
precision by their deliberations that nothing more was
required than the assent Of the rest.
ECCLESIASTICAL ooUNcIIA
Acouncl, generally speaking means, In the ecclesi-
ascal Of the word. assembly Of bishops eg-
maiey convoked determine questions relating TO the
faith rites and discipline Of the Church. Councils are
either provincial national general according as they
arc composed OF the prelates Of province nation, or
OF all Christendom and their Jurisdiction IL Of corrs-
spending extent We shall speak only Of the
GENERAL OR EcUMENIcAL COUNCILS.
These are councils summoned by the Pope and con-
sistng Of all tho bishops OF Christendsm, and are
designed TO adjudge questions OF schsm and heresy,
belief and discipline which affect the universal Church
The first eight General Councils were convoked by
the Christian emperors, at tho request or with
the consent Of the Pope, because the church did
not then extend beyond tho limits Of the Roman
empire Bishops and their representatives alone have
Indicative right in ecumenica councils. although the
privilege has often been extended to abbots and tho
generals of monastc orders The Doctors OF the Church
and the lower orders OF the clergy have only con-
sutatve voice. II they be invited and participate in the
deliberations Of the council The Pope In person or BY
leeae prcndes the council. In some Of the early
councils the emperor presided only in an execu-
tive protective capacity. The decision Is usually &C
cordIng to the number or votes cast although in tho
Council Of Constance Italy, France. Germany and Eng
| land each voted separately.
| POWERS or 4 GENERAL COUNCIL
General Councils do not create new dogmas but IN
| terpret and declare what originally contained In
Scripture and and according to Catholic BELIEF
are nfalble in matters OF faith Their infalbility,
howerer does not @xrend to questions OF discipline
crv, politics sence even to the grounds OF
their decision mort collateral observations The dis
cipnary ordinances nsally termed canons cdnones
and the decssns ruing doctrines dogmas dog
| masa) In the Counn Front, however the latter
| we're called aud former styled capita or
drreG
| MAKES or esysRAL CouNCIA
Tho Catholic Church recognizes nineteen general or
ccumenical councils The Council Of Jerusalem, held
by the Apostles A. d. so was the FIRST Then followed
a Of Ss II os B r q
Chacedon in 451 the second Of Constantinopls IN $685.
third Of Consantinopo in $780, the second Of Nice
In 1877 the fourth OF Constantinoplc In 500; the four
isi5; the arss and second o. Lyons 10 ia15 ana 1874
in I44 that 0, Basic in 1ll3 tin il dissolution BY tho
Pope) and that Of Trent l54S Tho Councils Of Pisa
in i409 OF Florence 1882 and the nth Of IAtsran In
1912 are also regarded BY some scumenical The
Greek Church authoritative tho decisions Of
only tho first seven General Councs The Protestant
them, and esteem only - ecumenical tho SIX which
directly followed the Apostolic Council Of Jerusalem.
l GENERAL COUNCILS EUMMoNED EY POPE
Ecumenicai councils have been described by Catho-
lie writer's rhe Parliament States General Of the
dsncy Of the sovereign for 70 the sovereign Ponuf
alone belongs essentially the ghs Of convokng Genera
and legitimate influence Of temporal rulers The mum
bsr Of preasss present 1t economical council varie
a. IN Ss ma At Rom
in 1889 and ninety Ave only in the same in 1912, in
rHE TIEsr GENERAL COUNCIL.
The Ave apostles, Peter James, john Paul and Barna
council known Council Of Jerusalem. II called
for tho purpose OF deciding the Obligations OF pagan
converts and abolshing the distinctions between jew
| and Genles.
TIE LAST GE.ERAL COUNCIL.
Tho Council OF Trent opened its deliberations Dcccm
Der H. 1915 and convened by the Sovereign Ponti
Pan ILL.,, for tho purpose OF renting tho doc res Of
the reformation In the first session there we're, be-
sides cardinals but four archoishops twenty two
bishops, five six heads of ORDERS witn great
Der OF doctors, both secular and regular II LASTED
eighteen years. during the successive reigns Of -four
popes. Inrae patrarchs, twony- archbshops, one
hundred and sxty-eght bishops and seven generals o.
ORDERS we're present q. the la. session Of this council
K
OF prclates like tho present Rome differs from
Gonerai Council in many respects First an invitation
Ia each prcate instead OF order; again, the
object is not to decide on matters faith and dsc
pne but assist in the celebration OF great Cath.
Ollie event, such as the canonizaon OF martyrs the
centenary OF the marty OF the rst Pope The
ference OF hundred and ninety prcate at Rome
i 1854 which proclaimed the dogma OF the Immaculate
Conception was not a council but. judging from tho
Importance Of their deliberations and their decision
nus grave point IL would seem as u convocation may
be resolved into council Tho summons OF the Pope
TIE preparations for tho prcsent convocaton At the
Es,rna City Of the graodcst kind and 81 Peters,
the grsnfest OF all Temples the mpershlbe handwork
i or Mchas Angelo, wfll 90 illuminated with myriad
i lights, shsdd ng an ealgence the tomb wherein
tho earthly OF the ors. Popo Tnc fes,-
val will take place Saturday, and the services and
ceremonies Sunday will be magnificent and imposing
ssson,bIsd in Rome and some thousands OF priests.
From every Of the world flock the faithful all
eager 70 DO present this eventrui The
vocation may DO without fruit In other respects
seigtsus ceremony, for We understand from reliable
authority that the Popes object In convokng council
OF ali tho bishops at tho zaton 10 70 procure tho
sanction of tho Church arrang cement Italy.
The proceedings will be opened by adosess TO tho
Holy Father from the bishops OF the whole world,
ferring to Italy In conciiaioy language and tho Pope
viii TINS authorized take the step which bis cart
has long prompted bat from which he has been forcby
kepi beck
the bahops OF the United e,atcs who have already ar
nved made ths recipients OF the most particular
attentionG
PERSONAL InrElLesRCt