[THE GENERAL and ECUMENICAL COUNCIL of the CATHOLIC CHURCH - THE COUNCIL of CONSTANCE, 1414-1418]

Concilia oecumenica et generalia Ecclesiae catholicae - Concilium Constantiniense a. 1414-1418

SESSION 1
On the matters to be treated in the council, in which order and by which officials

16 November 1414

John, bishop, servant of the servants of God, for future record. Wishing to carry out those things which were decreed at the council of Pisa [13 ] by our predecessor of happy memory, pope [14 ] Alexander V, regarding the summoning of a new general council, we earlier convoked this present council by letters of ours, the contents of which we have ordered to be inserted here:

Ioannes episcopus servus servorum dei ad futuram rei memoriam. Intendentes ad executionem eorum quae per felicis recordationis Alexandrum papam v praedecessorem nostrum in concilio Pisano decreta fuerunt circa convocationem concilii generalis iterum faciendam alias praesens concilium convocavimus per nostras litteras quarum tenorem hic duximus inserendum:

John, bishop ... [15 ]

Ioannes episcopus ....

We have therefore come together with our venerable brothers, cardinals of the holy Roman church, and our court to this city of Constance at the appointed time. Being present here by the grace of God, we now wish, with the advice of this sacred synod, to attend to the peace, exaltation and reform of the church and to the quiet of the christian people.

et subinde cum venerabilibus fratribus nostris sanctae Romanae ecclesiae cardinalibus et nostra curia ad hanc civitatem Constantiensem venimus tempore constituto.

Et nunc per dei gratiam hic existentes cum huius sacrae synodi consilio intendimus insistere ad pacem exaltationem et reformationem ecclesiae ac tranquillitatem populi christiani.

In such an arduous matter it is not right to rely on one’s own strength, but rather trust should be placed in the help of God. Therefore, in order to begin with divine worship, we decreed, with the approval of this sacred council, that a special mass for this purpose should be said today. This mass has now been duly celebrated, by the grace of God. We now decree that such a mass shall be celebrated collegially in this and every other collegiate church of this city whether secular or regular, once a week, namely each Friday, for the duration of this sacred council. Moreover, in order that the faithful may devote themselves to this holy celebration most fervently, whereby they will feel themselves refreshed by a more abundant gift of grace, we relax, mercifully in the Lord, the following amounts of enjoined penance to each and every one of them who is truly penitent and has confessed: for each mass, one year to the celebrating priest and forty days to those present at it. Furthermore, we exhort our venerable brothers, cardinals of the holy Roman church, as well as patriarchs, archbishops and bishops, and our beloved chosen sons, abbots and others in the priesthood, devoutly to celebrate this mass once every week, in order that the aforesaid divine aid may be implored; and we grant the same indulgences to the celebrant and to those present at the mass. We exhort in the Lord, moreover, each and all who glory in the name of Christ, in order that the desired outcome to so great a matter may be obtained, to give themselves diligently to prayer, fasting, almsgiving and other pious works, so that God may be placated by our and their humility, and so deign to grant a happy outcome to this sacred gathering.

Et quia in hac re tam ardua non est propriis viribus aliquid praesumendum sed de dei adiutorio confidendum ideo a cultu divino inchoantes hoc sacro approbante concilio ordinavimus quod hac ipsa die specialis missa ad hoc constituta diceretur.

Sicuti per dei gratiam nunc celebrata est.

Quam etiam missam constituimus in hac et in singulis aliis ecclesiis collegiatis secularibus et regularibus huius civitatis semel in hebdomade videlicet feria quinta hoc sacro concilio durante collegialiter celebrari.

Et ut eo ferventius huic sacrae celebrationi fideles insistant quo ampliori gratiae munere senserint se refectos omnibus et singulis vere poenitentibus et confessis videlicet sacerdotibus dictas missas celebrantibus pro singulis missis unum annum interessentibus vero quadraginta dies de iniunctis sibi poenitentiis misericorditer in domino relaxamus.

Ad cuius etiam missae celebrationem exhortamur venerabiles fratres nostros sanctae Romanae ecclesiae cardinales nec non patriarchas archiepiscopos episcopos ac dilectos filios electos abbates caeteros que in sacerdotio constitutos ut et ipsi ad impetrandum praedictum divinum auxilium cum devotione singulis septimanis praedictam missam semel celebrent quibus celebrantibus et celebrationi interessentibus similes indulgentias elargimur.

Exhortamur etiam in domino omnes et singulos qui christi nomine gloriantur ut ad obtinendam optatam consummationem tantae rei diligenter insistant orationibus ieiuniis eleemosynis et aliis piis operibus ut deus ex nostra et ipsorum humilitate placatus dignetur felicem exitum huic sacrae congregationi concedere.

Considering, moreover, that a council should specially treat of those matters which concern the catholic faith, according to the praiseworthy practices of the early councils, and aware that such things demand diligence, sufficient time and study, on account of their difficulty, we therefore exhort all those who are well versed in the sacred scriptures to ponder and to treat, both within themselves and with others, about those things which seem to them useful and opportune in this matter. Let them bring such things to our notice and to that of this sacred synod, as soon as they conveniently can, so that at a suitable time there may be decided what things, it seems, should be held and what repudiated for the profit and increase of the same catholic faith.

Praeterea considerantes quod precipuum agendum in concilio secundum laudabiles observantias antiquorum conciliorum est de his quae concernunt catholicam fidem et attendentes quod talia propter suam arduitatem exigant diligentiam tempus sufficiens ac studium exhortamur omnes habentes peritiam sacrarum litterarum ut diligenter se cum et cum aliis illa cogitent atque tractent quae eis videbuntur ad hanc rem utilia et opportuna quamprimum commode poterunt illa ad nostram et huius sacrae synodi notitiam perducant ut tempore opportuno possint ea determinari quae videbuntur tenenda vel repudianda pro utilitate et incremento ipsius catholicae fidei.

Let them especially ponder on the various errors which are said to have sprouted in certain places at various times, especially on those which are said to have arisen from a certain John called Wyclif.

Et specialiter cogitent circa nonnullos errores qui a certis temporibus dicuntur in nonnullis partibus pullulasse et maxime circa illos qui ortum dicuntur habuisse a quodam Ioanne dicto Wicleff.

We exhort, moreover, all Catholics assembled here and others who will come to this sacred synod that they should seek to think on, to follow up and to bring to us, and to this same sacred synod, those matters by which the body of Catholics may be led, if God is willing, to a proper reformation and to the desired peace. For it is our intention and will that all who are assembled for this purpose may say, consult about and do, with complete freedom, each and all of the things that they think pertain to the above.

Insuper etiam exhortamur omnes catholicos hic congregatos et alios ad hanc sacram synodum venturos ut velint diligenter cogitare et prosequi et ad nos et eamdem sacram synodum perducere ea per quae possit etiam congregatio catholicorum ad debitam reformationem et optatam tranquillitatem deo iuvante perduci.

Nostrae namque intentionis et voluntatis est ut omnes hac de causa congregati cum omnimoda libertate possint dicere consulere et facere omnia et singula quae ad praemissa putaverint pertinere.

In order, however, that a rule may be observed in the procedure of this sacred synod with regard to what things are to be said and decided, the action to be taken and the regulating of customs, we think that recourse should be had to the practices of the ancient fathers, which are best learned from a canon of the council of Toledo, the contents of which we have decided to insert here [16 ] :

Ut autem notus sit modus qui in huius sacrae synodi processu servandus est tam quoad ea quae dicenda et determinanda erunt quam etiam quoad gestum et morum compositionem putamus in hoc recurrendum ad observantias antiquorum patrum quae maxime colliguntur ex canone Toletani concilii cuius tenorem hic duximus inserendum:

 Therefore whatever is being debated by the participants, or is being proposed by persons making an accusation, should be stated in quiet tones so that the hearers’ senses are not disturbed by contentious voices and they do not weaken the authority of the court by their tumult.

Debet ergo quicquid aut considentium consultationibus agitur aut ab accusantium parte proponitur mitissima verborum relatione proferri ut nec contentiosis vocibus sensus audientium turbetur et iudicii vigorem de tumultu enervent.

Since it may happen that some of the participants will not be in their rightful seats, we decree, with this sacred council’s approval, that no prejudice shall arise to any church or person as a result of this seating arrangement.

Et quoniam contingere potest quod aliqui ex considentibus non erunt in sedibus debitis collocati eodem sacro approbante concilio decernimus quod ex sessione huiusmodi nulli ecclesiae vel personae praeiudicium generetur.

Since certain ministers and officials are required in order that this council may proceed, we therefore depute, with this sacred council’s approval, those named below, namely our beloved sons... [17 ]

Quia vero ad prosecutionem huius concilii requiruntur certi ministri et officiales ideo hoc sacro approbante concilio deputamus infra scriptos videlicet dilectos filios ....

SESSION 2 - 2 March 1415

[John XXIII publicly offers to resign the papacy]

SESSION 3 - 26 March 1415

[Decrees on the integrity and authority of the council, after the pope s flight [18 ]]

For the honour, praise and glory of the most holy Trinity, Father and Son and holy Spirit, and to obtain on earth, for people of good will, the peace that was divinely promised in God’s church, this holy synod, called the sacred general council of Constance, duly assembled here in the holy Spirit for the purpose of bringing union and reform to the said church in its head and members, discerns declares, defines and ordains as follows.

Ad honorem laudem et gloriam sanctissimae trinitatis patris et filii et spiritus sancti pacem que in terris hominibus bonae voluntatis divinitus promissam in dei ecclesia consequendum haec sancta synodus sacrum generale concilium Constantiense nuncupata pro unione et reformatione dictae ecclesiae in capite et in membris fienda in spiritu sancto hic debite congregata decernit declarat diffinit et ordinat ut sequitur.

First, that this synod was and is rightly and properly summoned to this city of Constance, and likewise has been rightly and properly begun and held.

Et primo quod ipsa synodus fuit et est recte et rite convocata ad hunc locum civitatis Constantiensis et similiter recte et rite initiata et celebrata.

Next, that this sacred council has not been dissolved by the departure of our lord pope from Constance, or even by the departure of other prelates or any other persons, but continues in its integrity and authority, even if decrees to the contrary have been made or shall be made in the future.

Item quod per recessum domini nostri papae de hoc loco Constantiensi vel etiam per recessum aliorum praelatorum seu aliorum quorumcumque non est dissolutum hoc sacrum concilium sed remanet in sua integritate et auctoritate etiam si quae ordinationes factae essent in contrarium vel fierent in futurum.

Next, that this sacred council should not and may not be dissolved until the present schism has been entirely removed and until the church has been reformed in faith and morals, in head and members.

Item quod istud sacrum concilium non debet dissolvi nec dissolvatur usque ad perfectam exstirpationem praesentis schismatis et quousque ecclesia sit reformata in fide et in moribus in capite et in membris.

Next, that this sacred council may not be transferred to another place, except for a reasonable cause, which is to be debated and decided on by this sacred council.

Item quod ipsum sacrum concilium non transferatur ad alium locum nisi ex causa rationabili et de consilio huius sacri concilii deliberanda et concludenda.

Next, that prelates and other persons who should be present at this council may not depart from this place before it has ended, except for a reasonable cause which is to be examined by persons who have been, or will be, deputed by this sacred council. When the reason has been examined and approved, they may depart with the permission of the person or persons in authority. When the individual departs, he is bound to give his power to others who stay, under penalty of the law, as well as to others appointed by this sacred council, and those who act to the contrary are to be prosecuted.

Item quod praelati et alii qui debent interesse huic concilio non recedant de hoc loco ante finitum concilium nisi ex causa rationabili examinanda per deputatos seu deputandos ab hoc sacro concilio. Qua causa examinata et approbata possint recedere cum licentia eius vel illorum qui habebit vel habebunt auctoritatem: et tunc recedens teneatur dimittere potestatem suam aliis remanentibus sub poenis iuris et aliis per hoc sacrum concilium indicendis et contra eos exsequendis.

SESSION 4 - 30 March 1415

[Decrees of the council on its authority and integrity, in the abbreviated form read out by cardinal Zabarella]

In the name of the holy and undivided Trinity, Father and Son and holy Spirit Amen. This holy synod of Constance, which is a general council, for the eradication of the present schism and for bringing unity and reform to God’s church in head and members, legitimately assembled in the holy Spirit to the praise of almighty God, ordains, defines, decrees, discerns and declares as follows, in order that this union and reform of God’s church may be obtained the more easily, securely, fruitfully and freely.

In nomine sanctae et individuae trinitatis patris et filii et spiritus sancti Amen.

haec sancta synodus Constantiensis generale concilium faciens pro exstirpatione praesentis schismatis et unione ac reformatione ecclesiae dei in capite et in membris fienda ad laudem omnipotentis dei in spiritu sancto legitime congregata ad consequendum facilius securius uberius et liberius unionem et reformationem ecclesiae dei ordinat diffinit statuit decernit et declarat ut sequitur.

First, that this synod, legitimately assembled in the holy Spirit, constituting a general council, representing the catholic church militant, has power immediately from Christ, and that everyone of whatever state or dignity, even papal, is bound to obey it in those matters which pertain to the faith and the eradication of the said schism. [19 ]

Et primo quod ipsa synodus in spiritu sancto legitime congregata generale concilium faciens ecclesiam catholicam militantem repraesentans potestatem a christo immediate habeat cui quilibet cuiuscumque status vel dignitatis etiam si papalis exsistat obedire tenetur in his quae pertinent ad fidem et exstirpationem dicti schismatis.

Next, that our most holy lord pope John XXIII may not move or transfer the Roman curia and its public offices, or its or their officials, from this city to another place, nor directly or indirectly compel the persons of the said offices to follow him, without the deliberation and consent of the same holy synod; this refers to those officials or offices by whose absence the council would probably be dissolved or harmed. If he has acted to the contrary in the past, or shall in the future, or if he has in the past, is now or shall in the future fulminate any processes or mandates or ecclesiastical censures or any other penalties against the said officials or any other adherents of this council, to the effect that they should follow him then all is null and void and in no way are the said processes, censures and penalties to be obeyed, inasmuch as they are null and void, and they are invalid. The said officials are rather to exercise their offices in the said city of Constance, and to carry them out freely as before, as long as this holy synod is being held in the said city.

Item quod sanctissimus dominus noster papa Ioannes xxiii Romanam curiam et officia publica illius vel illorum officiarios de hac civitate ad alium locum non mutet aut transferat seu personas dictorum officiorum ad sequendum eum directe vel indirecte cogat sine deliberatione et consensu ipsius sanctae synodi et hoc quoad illos officiarios vel illa officia per quorum absentiam concilium verisimiliter dissolveretur vel laederetur. Et si contrarium fecisset seu faceret in futurum aut aliquos processus seu mandata contra dictos officiarios vel alios quoscumque huic concilio adhaerentes etiam censuras ecclesiasticas aut alias poenas quascumque continentes ut ipsum sequantur fulminasset fulminaret seu fulminaverit totum sit irritum et inane nec eisdem processibus censuris et poenis tamquam irritis et inanibus quomodolibet obediendum fore et ea et eos irritat.

Quin immo dicti officiarii in dicta civitate Constantiensi suis officiis utantur et illa exerceant libere ut prius quamdiu ipsa sancta synodus in eadem civitate celebrabitur.

Next, that all translations of prelates, and depositions of the same, or of any other beneficed persons, revocations of commendams and gifts, admonitions, ecclesiastical censures, processes, sentences, acts and whatever has been or will be done or accomplished by our aforesaid lord and his officials or commissaries, from the time of his departure, to the injury of the council or its adherents, against the supporters or participants of this sacred council, or to the prejudice of them or any one of them, in whatever way they may have been or shall be made or done, against the will of the persons concerned, are in virtue of the law itself null, quashed, invalid and void, and of no effect or moment, and the council by its authority quashes, invalidates and annuls them.

Item quod omnes et singulae translationes praelatorum nec non privationes eorumdem aut aliorum beneficiatorum quorumcumque commendarum ac donationum revocationes monitiones censurae ecclesiasticae processus sententiae acta et gesta gerenda agenda et fienda per praefatum dominum nostrum ac suos officiarios seu commissarios in laesionem concilii seu adhaerentium eidem a tempore sui recessus contra adhaerentes huic sacro concilio vel exsistentes in eodem aut in ipsorum praeiudicium seu alicuius eorumdem quomodolibet ipsis invitis facta vel fienda factae vel facti faciendae vel faciendi ipso iure sint nulla cassa irrita et inania cassae irritae et inanes ac nullius roboris vel momenti et sua auctoritate cassat irritat et annullat.

[Next, it was declared and decided that three persons should be chosen from each nation who know both the reasons of those wishing to depart and the punishments that ought to be inflicted on those departing without permission. [20]

[Item fuit declaratum et conclusum quod de qualibet natione eligantur tres qui cognoscant de causis recedere volentium et poenis recedentium sine licentia infligendis].

Moreover, lest for reasons of deceit or fraud some persons may be said to have been made cardinals recently, this sacred council declares that those persons are not to be regarded as cardinals who were not publicly recognised and held to be such at the time of our lord pope’s departure from the city of Constance.

Et ne fraude vel dolo dicantur facti dudum cardinales aliqui declarat sacrum concilium pro non cardinalibus haberi qui non erant cardinales publice reputati et tenti tempore recessus eiusdem domini nostri papae a civitate Constantiensi.

SESSION 5 (Haec Sancta)
[Conciliar Authority and Superiority]

April 6. 1415

[Decrees of the council, concerning its authority and integrity, which had been abbreviated by cardinal Zabarella at the preceding session, against the wishes of the nations, and which are now restored, repeated and confirmed by a public decree]

IN the name of the holy and undivided Trinity, Father and Son and holy Spirit. Amen.

In nomine sanctae et individuae trinitatis patris et filii et spiritus sancti Amen.

THIS HOLY synod of Constance, which is a general council, for the eradication of the present schism and for bringing unity and reform to God’s church in head and members, legitimately assembled in the holy Spirit to the praise of almighty God, ordains, defines, decrees, discerns and declares as follows, in order that this union and reform of God’s church may be obtained the more easily, securely, fruitfully and freely.

HAEC SANCTA synodus Constantiensis generale concilium faciens pro exstirpatione praesentis schismatis et unione ac reformatione ecclesiae dei in capite et in membris fienda ad laudem omnipotentis dei in spiritu sancto legitime congregata ad consequendum facilius securius uberius et liberius unionem ac reformationem ecclesiae dei ordinat diffinit statuit decernit et declarat ut sequitur.

Next, it declares that anyone of whatever condition, state or dignity, even papal, who contumaciously refuses to obey the past or future mandates, statutes, ordinances or precepts of this sacred council or of any other legitimately assembled general council, regarding the aforesaid things or matters pertaining to them, shall be subjected to well-deserved penance, unless he repents, and shall be duly punished, even by having recourse, if necessary, to other supports of the law.

Item declarat quod quicumque cuiuscumque conditionis status dignitatis etiam si papalis exsistat qui mandatis statutis seu ordinationibus aut praeceptis huius sacrae synodi et cuiuscumque alterius concilii generalis legitime congregati super praemissis seu ad ea pertinentibus factis vel faciendis obedire contumaciter contempserit nisi resipuerit condignae poenitentiae subiiciatur et debite puniatur etiam ad alia iuris subsidia si opus fuerit recurrendo.

Next, the said holy synod defines and ordains that the lord pope John XXIII may not move or transfer the Roman curia and its public offices, or its or their officials, from the city of Constance to another place, nor directly or indirectly compel the said officials to follow him, without the deliberation and consent of the same holy synod.

Item diffinit et ordinat dicta sancta synodus quod dominus Ioannes papa xxiii Romanam curiam et officia publica illius seu illorum officiarios de hac civitate Constantiensi ad alium locum non mutet aut transferat seu personas dictorum officiariorum ad sequendum eum directe vel indirecte cogat sine deliberatione et consensu ipsius sanctae synodi.

Next, that all translations of prelates, or depositions of the same, or of any other beneficed persons, officials and administrators, revocations of commendams and gifts, admonitions, ecclesiastical censures, processes, sentences and whatever has been or will be done or accomplished by the aforesaid lord pope John or his officials or commissaries, since the beginning of this council, to the injury of the said council or its adherents, against the supporters or participants of this sacred council, or to the prejudice of them or of any one of them, in whatever way they may have been or shall be made or done, against the will of the persons concerned, are by this very fact, on the authority of this sacred council, null, quashed, invalid and void, and of no effect or moment, and the council by its authority quashes, invalidates and annuls them.

Item ordinat et diffinit quod omnes et singulae translationes praelatorum nec non privationes eorundem aut aliorum beneficiatorum officialium administratorum quarumcumque commendarum ac donationum revocationes monitiones censurae ecclesiasticae processus sententiae et quaecumque acta gesta gerenda agenda aut fienda per praefatum dominum Ioannem papam aut suos officiarios vel commissarios in laesionem dicti concilii seu adhaerentium eidem a tempore inchoationis eiusdem concilii et contra adhaerentes huic sacro concilio vel exsistentes in eodem aut in ipsorum seu alicuius eorumdem praeiudicium quomodolibet ipsis invitis facta seu facienda factae aut facti faciendae vel faciendi auctoritate huius sacri concilii ipso facto sint nulla cassa irrita et inania cassae irritae et inanes ac nullius roboris vel momenti et eadem auctoritate cassat irritat et annullat.

Next, it declares that the lord pope John XXIII and all the prelates and other persons summoned to this sacred council, and other participants in the same synod, have enjoyed and do now enjoy full freedom, as has been apparent in the said sacred council, and the opposite has not been brought to the notice of the said summoned persons or of the said council. The said sacred council testifies to this before God and people. [21 ]

Item declarat quod dominus Ioannes papa xxiii et omnes praelati et alii ad hoc sacrum concilium vocati et alii in eodem concilio exsistentes in plenaria libertate fuerunt et exsistunt ut visum est dicto sacro concilio nec ad notitiam dictorum vocatorum seu dicti concilii contrarium deductum est et hoc testificatur dictum sacrum concilium coram deo et hominibus.

SESSION 6 - 17 April 1415

[At this session there were, among other minor deliberations, decrees about admitting the office of proctor in the matter of pope John XXIII’s renunciation of the papacy and about the citing of Jerome of Prague.]

SESSION 7 - 2 May 1415

[At this session it was decreed that pope John should be publicly summoned and that the summons of Jerome of Prague, now charged with contumacy, should be repeated.]

SESSION 8
[The Condemnation of Wycliffe]

4 May 1415

This most holy synod of Constance, which is a general council and represents the catholic church and is legitimately assembled in the holy Spirit, for the eradication of the present schism and the elimination of the errors and heresies which are sprouting beneath its shade and for the reform of the church, make this perpetual record of its acts.

Sacrosancta Constantiensis synodus generale concilium faciens et ecclesiam catholicam repraesentans ad exstirpationem praesentis schismatis errorum que et haeresium sub eius umbra pullulantium eliminationem et reformationem ecclesiae in spiritu sancto legitime congregata ad perpetuam rei memoriam.

[Sentence condemning various articles of John Wyclif]

We learn from the writings and deeds of the holy fathers that the catholic faith without which (as the Apostle says) it is impossible to please God , has often been attacked by false followers of the same faith, or rather by perverse assailants, and by those who, desirous of the world’s glory, are led on by proud curiosity to know more than they should; and that it has been defended against such persons by the church’s faithful spiritual knights armed with the shield of faith. Indeed these kinds of wars were prefigured in the physical wars of the Israelite people against idolatrous nations. Therefore in these spiritual wars the holy catholic church, illuminated in the truth of faith by the rays of light from above and remaining ever spotless through the Lord’s providence and with the help of the patronage of the saints, has triumphed most gloriously over the darkness of error as over profligate enemies. In our times, however, that old and jealous foe has stirred up new conflicts so that the approved ones of this age may be made manifest. Their leader and prince was that pseudo-christian John Wyclif. He stubbornly asserted and taught many articles against the christian religion and the catholic faith while he was alive. We have decided that forty-five of the articles should be set out on this page as follows.

Fidem catholicam sine qua ut ait apostolus impossibile est placere deo a falsis eiusdem fidei cultoribus immo perversis impugnatoribus et superba curiositate intendentibus plus sapere quam oportet mundi gloriam cupientibus oppugnatam saepius et contra illos per fideles ecclesiae milites spirituales opposito scuto fidei defensatam fuisse sanctorum patrum scripturis atque gestis instruimur.

Haec quippe bellorum genera in bellis carnalibus Israelitici populi adversus gentes idololatras praesignata fuerunt.

In his itaque spiritualibus bellis sancta ecclesia catholica in fidei veritate superni luminis radiis illustrata domino providente et sanctorum patrocinio opem ferente semper immaculata permanens erroris tenebris velut hostibus profligatis gloriosissime triumphavit.

Nostris vero temporibus vetus ille et invidus hostis nova certamina ut probati temporis huius manifesti fiant suscitavit quorum dux et princeps exstitit quondam Ioannes Wicleff pseudochristianus: qui dum viveret adversus religionem christianam et fidem catholicam pertinaciter asseruit et dogmatizavit plures articulos quorum quadragintaquinque huic paginae duximus inserendos qui sequuntur.

1. The material substance of bread, and similarly the material substance of wine, remain in the sacrament of the altar.

Substantia panis materialis et similiter substantia vini materialis manent in sacramento altaris.

2. The accidents of bread do not remain without their subject in the said sacrament.

Accidentia panis non manent sine subiecto in eodem sacramento.

3. Christ is not identically and really present in the said sacrament in his own bodily persona.

Christus non est in eodem sacramento identice et realiter in propria persona corporali.

4. If a bishop or a priest is in mortal sin, he does not ordain or confect or consecrate or baptise.

Si episcopus vel sacerdos est in peccato mortali non ordinat non conficit non consecrat nec baptizat.

5. That Christ instituted the mass has no basis in the gospel.

Non est fondatum in evangelio quod christus missam ordinarit.

6. God ought to obey the devil.

Deus debet obedire diabolo.

7. If a person is duly contrite, all exterior confession is superfluous and useless for him.

Si homo debite fuerit contritus omnis confessio exterior est sibi superflua et inutilis.

8. If a pope is foreknown as damned and is evil, and is therefore a limb of the devil, he does not have authority over the faithful given to him by anyone, except perhaps by the emperor.

Si papa sit praescitus et malus et per consequens membrum diaboli non habet potestatem super fideles ab aliquo sibi datam nisi forte a Caesare.

9. Nobody should be considered as pope after Urban VI. Rather, people should live like the Greeks, under their own laws.

Post Urbanum vi non est aliquis recipiendus in papam sed vivendum est more Graecorum sub legibus propriis.

10. It is against sacred scripture for ecclesiastics to have possessions.

Contra scripturam sacram est quod viri ecclesiastici habeant possessiones.

11. No prelate should excommunicate anyone unless he first knows that the person has been excommunicated by God; he who does so thereby becomes a heretic and an excommunicated person.

Nullus praelatus debet aliquem excommunicare nisi prius sciat eum esse excommunicatum a deo: et qui sic excommunicat fit haereticus ex hoc vel excommunicatus.

12. A prelate excommunicating a cleric who has appealed to the king or the king’s council is thereby a traitor to the king and the kingdom.

Praelatus excommunicans clericum qui appellavit ad regem vel ad concilium regni eo ipso traditor est regis et regni.

13. Those who stop preaching or hearing the word of God on account of an excommunication issued by men are themselves excommunicated and will be regarded as traitors of Christ on the day of judgment.

Illi qui dimittunt praedicare sive verbum dei audire propter excommunicationem hominum sunt excommunicati et in die iudicii traditores christi habebuntur.

14. It is lawful for any deacon or priest to preach the word of God without authorisation from the apostolic see or from a catholic bishop.

Licet alicui diacono vel presbytero praedicare verbum dei absque auctoritate sedis apostolicae vel episcopi catholici.

15. Nobody is a civil lord or a prelate or a bishop while he is in mortal sin.

Nullus est dominus civilis nullus est praelatus nullus est episcopus dum est in peccato mortali.

16. Secular lords can confiscate temporal goods from the church at their discretion when those who possess them are sinning habitually, that is to say sinning from habit and not just in particular acts.

Domini temporales possunt ad arbitrium suum auferre bona temporalia ab ecclesia possessionatis habitualiter delinquentibus id est ex habitu non solo actu delinquentibus.

17. The people can correct sinful lords at their discretion.

Populares possunt ad suum arbitrium dominos delinquentes corrigere.

18. Tithes are purely alms, and parishioners can withhold them at will on account of their prelates’ sins.

Decimae sunt purae eleemosynae et parochiani possunt propter peccata suorum praelatorum ad libitum suum eas auferre.

19. Special prayers applied by prelates or religious to a particular person avail him or her no more than general prayers, if other things are equal.

Speciales orationes applicatae uni personae per praelatos vel religiosos non plus prosunt eidem quam generales caeteris paribus.

20. Whoever gives alms to friars is thereby excommunicated.

Conferens eleemosynam fratribus est excommunicatus eo facto.

21. Whoever enters any religious order whatsoever, whether it be of the possessioners or the mendicants, makes himself less apt and suitable for the observance of God’s commands.

Si quis ingreditur religionem privatam qualemcumque tam possessionatorum quam mendicantium redditur ineptior et inhabilior ad observantiam mandatorum dei.

22. Saints who have founded religious orders have sinned in so doing.

Sancti instituentes religiones privatas sic instituendo peccaverunt.

23. Members of religious orders are not members of the christian religion.

Religiosi viventes in religionibus privatis non sunt de religione christiana.

24. Friars are bound to obtain their food by manual work and not by begging. [22 ]

Fratres tenentur per labores manuum victum acquirere et non per mendicitatem.

25. All are simoniacs who bind themselves to pray for people who help them in temporal matters.

Omnes sunt simoniaci qui se obligant orare pro aliis eis in temporalibus subvenientibus.

26. The prayer of someone foreknown as damned profits nobody.

Oratio praesciti nulli valet.

27. All things happen from absolute necessity.

Omnia de necessitate absoluta eveniunt.

28. Confirming the young, ordaining clerics and consecrating places have been reserved to the pope and bishops because of their greed for temporal gain and honour.

Confirmatio iuvenum clericorum ordinatio locorum consecratio reservantur papae et episcopis propter cupiditatem lucri temporalis et honoris.

29. Universities, places of study, colleges, degrees and academic exercises in these institutions were introduced by a vain pagan spirit and benefit the church as little as does the devil.

Universitates studia collegia graduationes et magisteria in eisdem sunt vana gentilitate introducta et tantum prosunt ecclesiae sicut diabolus.

30. Excommunication by a pope or any prelate is not to be feared since it is a censure of antichrist.

Excommunicatio papae vel cuiuscumque praelati non est timenda quia est censura antichristi.

31. Those who found religious houses sin, and those who enter them belong to the devil.

Peccant fundantes claustra et ingredientes sunt viri diabolici.

32. It is against Christ’s command to enrich the clergy.

Ditare clerum est contra christi mandatum.

33. Pope Silvester and the emperor Constantine erred in endowing the church.

Silvester papa et Constantinus imperator erraverunt ecclesiam dotando.

34. All the members of mendicant orders are heretics, and those who give them alms are excommunicated.

Omnes de ordine mendicantium sunt haeretici et dantes eis eleemosynam sunt excommunicati.

35. Those who enter a religious or other order thereby become incapable of observing God’s commands, and consequently of reaching the kingdom of heaven, unless they leave them.

Ingredientes religionem aut aliquem ordinem eo ipso inhabiles sunt ad observandum divina praecepta et per consequens perveniendi ad regna caelorum nisi apostataverint ab eisdem.

36. The pope with all his clerics who have property are heretics, for the very reason that they have property; and so are all who abet them, namely all secular lords and other laity.

Papa cum omnibus clericis suis possessionem habentibus sunt haeretici eo quod possessionem habent et omnes consentientes eis omnes scilicet domini saeculares et caeteri laici.

37. The Roman church is Satan’s synagogue; and the pope is not the immediate and proximate vicar of Christ and the apostles.

Ecclesia Romana est synagoga satanae nec papa est immediatus et proximus vicarius christi et apostolorum.

38. The decretal letters are apocryphal and seduce people from Christ’s faith, and clerics who study them are fools.

Decretales epistolae sunt apocryphae et seducunt a christi fide et clerici sunt stulti qui student eas.

39. The emperor and secular lords were seduced by the devil to endow the church with temporal goods.

Imperator et domini saeculares seducti sunt a diabolo ut ecclesiam dotarent de bonis temporalibus.

40. The election of a pope by the cardinals was introduced by the devil.

Electio papae a cardinalibus per diabolum est introducta.

41. It is not necessary for salvation to believe that the Roman church is supreme among the other churches. [23 ]

Non est de necessitate salutis credere Romanam ecclesiam esse supremam inter alias ecclesias.

42. It is ridiculous to believe in the indulgences of popes and bishops.

Fatuum est credere indulgentiis papae et episcoporum.

43. Oaths taken to confirm civil commerce and contracts between people are unlawful.

Iuramenta illicita sunt quae fiunt ad roborandum humanos contractus et commercia civilia.

44. Augustine, Benedict and Bernard are damned, unless they repented of having owned property and of having founded and entered religious orders; and thus they are all heretics from the pope down to the lowest religious.

Augustinus Benedictus Bernardus damnati sunt nisi poenituerint de hoc quod habuerunt possessiones et instituerunt et intraverunt religiones et sic a papa usque ad infimum religiosum omnes sunt haeretici.

45. All religious orders alike were introduced by the devil.

Omnes religiones indifferenter introductae sunt a diabolo.

[Condemnation of Wyclif’s books]

This same John Wyclif wrote books called by him Dialogus and Trialogus and many other treatises, works and pamphlets in which he included and taught the above and many other damnable articles. He issued the books for public reading, in order to publish his perverse doctrine, and from them have followed many scandals, losses and dangers to souls in various regions, especially in the kingdoms of England and Bohemia. Masters and doctors of the universities and houses of study at Oxford and Prague, opposing with God’s strength these articles and books, later refuted the above articles in scholastic form. They were condemned, moreover, by the most reverend fathers who were then the archbishops and bishops of Canterbury, York and Prague, legates of the apostolic see in the kingdoms of England and of Bohemia. The said archbishop of Prague, commissary of the apostolic see in this matter, also judicially decreed that the books of the same John Wyclif were to be burnt and he forbade the reading of those that survived.

Idem que Ioannes Wicleff libros dialogum et trialogum per ipsum nominatos et plures alios tractatus volumina et opuscula composuit in quibus praescriptos et plures alios damnabiles inseruit et dogmatizavit articulos.

Quos libros ad sui perversi dogmatis publicationem publice legendos exposuit ex quibus insuper multa scandala damna animarum que pericula in diversis regionibus praesertim Angliae et Bohemiae regnis secuta sunt.

Adversus quos articulos atque libros in dei virtute exsurgentes magistri et doctores universitatum et studiorum Oxoniensis et Pragensis articulos praedictos scholastice diu post reprobaverunt.

Reverendissimi insuper patres archiepiscopi et episcopi pro tempore Cantuariensis et Eboracensis sedis apostolicae legati in Angliae et Pragensis in Bohemiae regnis condemnarunt.

Libros etiam eiusdem Ioannis Wicleff comburendos fore dictus archiepiscopus Pragensis sedis apostolicae commissarius in hac parte sententialiter iudicavit et eorum qui superessent prohibuit lectionem.

After these things had again been brought to the notice of the apostolic see and a general council, the Roman pontiff condemned the said books, treatises and pamphlets at the lately held council of Rome [24 ] , ordering them to be publicly burnt and strictly forbidding anyone called a Christian to dare to read, expound, hold or make any use of any one or more of the said books, volumes, treatises and pamphlets, or even to cite them publicly or privately, except in order to refute them. In order that this dangerous and most foul doctrine might be eliminated from the church’s midst, he ordered, by his apostolic authority and under pain of ecclesiastical censure, that all such books, treatises, volumes and pamphlets should be diligently sought out by the local ordinaries and should then be publicly burnt; and he added that if necessary those who do not obey should be proceeded against as if they were promoters of heresy.

Rursus his ad notitiam sedis apostolicae et generalis concilii deductis Romanus pontifex in concilio Romano ultimo celebrato dictos libros tractatus et opuscula condemnavit iubens illos publice concremari districtius inhibendo ne quis christi nomine insignitus auderet aliquem vel aliquos seu aliqua ex dictis libellis voluminibus et tractatibus ac opusculis legere exponere vel tenere aut illis quomodolibet uti vel illos nisi in ipsorum reprobationem allegare publice vel occulte.

Et ut de medio ecclesiae illa periculosa spurcissima que doctrina eliminaretur iussit omnes per locorum ordinarios libros tractatus volumina et opuscula huiusmodi auctoritate apostolica per censuram ecclesiasticam etiam si opus esset cum adiectione quod contra non parentes procederetur tanquam contra fautores haeresis diligenter inquiri et repertos ac reperta ignibus publice concremari.

This sacred synod has had the aforesaid forty-five articles examined and frequently considered by many most reverend fathers, cardinals of the Roman church, bishops, abbots, masters of theology, doctors in both laws and many notable persons. After the articles had been examined it was found, as indeed is the case, that some of them, indeed many, were and are notoriously heretical and have already been condemned by holy fathers, others are not catholic but erroneous, others scandalous and blasphemous, some offensive to the ears of the devout and some rash and seditious. It was also found that his books contain many other similar articles and introduce into God’s church teaching that is unsound and hostile to faith and morals. This holy synod, therefore, in the name of our lord Jesus Christ, in ratifying and approving the sentences of the aforesaid archbishops and of the council of Rome, repudiates and condemns for ever, by this decree, the aforesaid articles and each one of them in particular, and the books of John Wyclif called by him Dialogus and Trialogus, and the same author’s other books, volumes, treatises and pamphlets (no matter what name these may go under, and for which purpose this description is to be regarded as an adequate listing of them). It forbids the reading, teaching, expounding and citing of the said books or of any one of them in particular, unless it is for the purpose of refuting them. It forbids each and every Catholic henceforth, under pain of anathema, to preach, teach or affirm in public the said articles or any one of them in particular, or to teach, approve or hold the said books, or to refer to them in any way, unless this is done, as has been said, for the purpose of refuting them. It orders, moreover, that the aforesaid books, treatises, volumes and pamphlets are to be burnt in public, in accordance with the decree of the synod of Rome, as stated above. This holy synod orders local ordinaries to attend with vigilance to the execution and due observance of these things, insofar as each one is responsible, in accordance with the law and canonical sanctions.

Haec autem sancta synodus praefatos articulos quadragintaquinque examinari fecit et saepius recenseri per plures reverendissimos patres ecclesiae Romanae cardinales episcopos abbates magistros in theologia doctores iuris utriusque et plures notabiles in multitudine copiosa.

Quibus articulis examinatis fuit repertum prout in veritate est aliquos et plures ex ipsis fuisse et esse notorios haereticos et a sanctis patribus dudum reprobatos alios non catholicos sed erroneos alios scandalosos et blasphemos quosdam piarum aurium offensivos nonnullos eorum temerarios et seditiosos.

Compertum est etiam libros eius plures alios articulos continere similium qualitatum doctrinam que in dei ecclesia vesanam et fidei ac moribus inimicam inducere.

Propterea in nomine domini nostri Iesu christi haec sancta synodus sententias praedictorum archiepiscoporum ac concilii Romani ratificans et approbans praedictos articulos et eorum quemlibet libros eiusdem dialogum et trialogum per eumdem Ioannem Wicleff nominatos et alios eiusdem auctoris libros volumina tractatus et opuscula quocumque nomine censeantur quos hic haberi vult pro sufficienter expressis hoc perpetuo decreto reprobat et condemnat eorumdem librorum et cuiuslibet ipsorum lectionem doctrinam expositionem et allegationem nisi ad eorum reprobationem omnibus christi fidelibus prohibendo: inhibens omnibus et singulis catholicis sub anathematis interminatione ne de cetero dictos articulos aut ipsorum aliquem audeat publice praedicare dogmatizare vel tenere sive libros ipsos docere approbare et tenere vel quomodolibet nisi ad eorum reprobationem ut dictum est allegare: iubens illos libros et tractatus volumina et opuscula praelibata publice concremari prout decretum fuerat in synodo romana sicut superius est expressum.

Super quibus et exsequendis et debite conservandis mandat praedicta sancta synodus ordinariis locorum vigilanter intendere prout ad quemlibet pertinet secundum iura et canonicas sanctiones.

[Condemnation of 260 other articles of Wyclif] [25 ]

When the doctors and masters of the university of Oxford examined the aforesaid written works, they found 260 articles in addition to the 45 articles that have been mentioned. Some of them coincide in meaning with the 45 articles, even if not in the forms of words used. Some of them, as has been said, were and are heretical, some seditious, some erroneous, others rash, some scandalous, others unsound, and almost all of them contrary to good morals and the catholic truth. They were therefore condemned by the said university in correct and scholastic form. This most holy synod, therefore, after deliberating as mentioned above, repudiates and condemns the said articles and each one of them in particular; and it forbids, commands and decrees in the same way as for the other 45 articles. We order the contents of these 260 articles to be included below [26 ] .

Quia vero libris praedictis diligenter examinatis per doctores et magistros universitatis studii Oxoniensis ultra dictos quadragintaquinque articulos ducentos sexaginta extra pendentes collegerunt quorum aliqui cum supradictis in sententia coincidunt licet non in eadem forma verborum: et sicut de aliis superius dictum est quidam ipsorum erant et sunt haeretici quidam seditiosi quidam erronei alii temerarii nonnulli scandalosi alii insani nec non omnes pene contra bonos mores et catholicam veritatem fuerunt propterea per dictam universitatem scholastice et debite reprobati.

Haec igitur synodus sacrosancta cum deliberatione qua supra praedictos articulos et eorum quemlibet reprobat et condemnat inhibens mandans et decernens prout de aliis xlv superius est expressum.

Eorumdem ducentorum sexaginta articulorum tenores duximus inferius inserendos.

[The council pronounces John Wyclif a heretic, condemns his memory and orders his bones to be exhumed]

Furthermore, a process was begun, on the authority or by decree of the Roman council, and at the command of the church and of the apostolic see, after a due interval of time, for the condemnation of the said Wyclif and his memory. Invitations and proclamations were issued summoning those who wished to defend him and his memory, if any still existed. However, nobody appeared who was willing to defend him or his memory. Witnesses were examined by commissaries appointed by the reigning lord pope John and by this sacred council, regarding the said Wyclif’s final impenitence and obstinacy. Legal proof was thus provided, in accordance with all due observances, as the order of law demands in a matter of this kind, regarding his impenitence and final obstinacy. This was proved by clear indications from legitimate witnesses. This holy synod, therefore, at the instance of the procurator-fiscal and since a decree was issued to the effect that sentence should be heard on this day, declares, defines and decrees that the said John Wyclif was a notorious and obstinate heretic who died in heresy, and it anathematises him and condemns his memory. It decrees and orders that his body and bones are to be exhumed, if they can be identified among the corpses of the faithful, and to be scattered far from a burial place of the church, in accordance with canonical and lawful sanctions.

Insuper quia auctoritate sive decreto Romani concilii mandato que ecclesiae et sedis apostolicae datis dilationibus debitis processum fuit super condemnatione dicti Wicleff et suae memoriae edictis propositis denunciationibus que ad vocandum eos qui eumdem sive eius memoriam defendere vellent si qui penitus exsisterent nullus vero comparuit qui eumdem vel suam memoriam defensaret.

Examinatis insuper testibus super impoenitentia finali pertinacia que dicti Wicleff per commissarios deputatos per dominum Ioannem papam modernum et hoc sacrum concilium servatis que servandis prout in tali negotio postulat ordo iuris de eius impoenitentia ac finali pertinacia per evidentia signa testibus legitimis comprobata fuit legitime facta fides.

Propterea instante procuratore fiscali edicto que proposito ad audiendam sententiam ad hunc diem haec sancta synodus declarat definit et sententiat eumdem Ioannem Wicleff fuisse notorium haereticum pertinacem ac in haeresi decessisse anathematizando ipsum pariter et suam memoriam condemnando.

Decernit que et ordinat corpus et eius ossa si ab aliis fidelium corporibus discerni possint exhumari et procul ab ecclesiastica sepultura iactari secundum canonicas et legitimas sanctiones.

SESSION 9 - 13 May 1415

[Pope John is publicly summoned for the second time and an inquiry against him is decreed.]

SESSION 10 - 14 May 1415

[John XXIII is summoned for the third time, he is accused of contumacy and is suspended from the papacy.]

SESSION 11 - 25 May 1415

[Pope John XXIII is publicly charged and forty-four articles against him are produced.]

SESSION 12 - 29 May 1415

[Decree stating that the process for electing a pope, if the see happens to be vacant, may not begin without the council’s express consent [27 ] ]

This most holy general synod of Constance, representing the catholic church, legitimately assembled in the holy Spirit, for the eradication of the present schism and errors, for bringing about the reform of the church in head and members, and in order that the unity of the church may be obtained more easily, quickly and freely, pronounces, determines, decrees and ordains that if it happens that the apostolic see becomes vacant, by whatever means this may happen, then the process of electing the next supreme pontiff may not begin without the deliberation and consent of this sacred general council. If the contrary is done then it is by this very fact, by the authority of the said sacred council, null and void. Nobody may accept anyone elected to the papacy in defiance of this decree, nor in any way adhere to or obey him as pope, under pain of eternal damnation and of becoming a supporter of the said schism. Those who make the election in such a case, as well as the person elected, if he consents, and those who adhere to him, are to be punished in the forms prescribed by this sacred council. The said holy synod, moreover, for the good of the church’s unity, suspends all positive laws, even those promulgated in general councils, and their statutes, ordinances, customs and privileges, by whomsoever they may have been granted, and penalties promulgated against any persons, insofar as these may in any way impede the effect of this decree.

Sacrosancta generalis Constantiensis synodus ecclesiam catholicam repraesentans ad exstirpationem praesentis schismatis et errorum ecclesiae que reformationem in capite et in membris faciendam in spiritu sancto legitime congregata ad facilius celerius liberius et utilius unionem ecclesiae consequendam pronunciat decernit statuit et ordinat quod si contingat sedem apostolicam quovis modo vacare in prima illius vacatione ad electionem futuri summi pontificis nullo modo procedatur sine deliberatione et consensu huius sacri generalis concilii.

Et si contrarium fieret illud sit ipso facto auctoritate dicti sacri concilii irritum et inane.

Nullus que electum contra hoc decretum in papam recipiat nec illi ut papae quomodolibet adhaereat vel oboediat sub poena fautoriae dicti schismatis et maledictionis aeternae: puniantur que hoc casu eligentes et electus si consentiat ac illi adhaerentes poenis per hoc sacrum concilium ordinandis.

Suspendit que dicta sancta synodus pro bono unionis ecclesiae omnia iura positiva etiam in conciliis generalibus edita et ipsorum statuta ordinationes consuetudines que et privilegia quibuscumque concessa et poenas contra quoscumque editas in quantum effectum dicti decreti impedire possent quoquo modo.

[Sentence deposing pope John XXIII]

In the name of the holy and undivided Trinity, Father and Son and holy Spirit Amen. This most holy general synod of Constance, legitimately assembled in the holy Spirit, having invoked Christ’s name and holding God alone before its eyes, having seen the articles drawn up and presented in this case against the lord pope John XXIII, the proofs brought forward, his spontaneous submission and the whole process of the case, and having deliberated maturely on them, pronounces, decrees and declares by this definitive sentence which it commits to writing: that the departure of the aforesaid lord pope John XXIII from this city of Constance and from this sacred general council, secretly and at a suspicious hour of the night, in disguised and indecent dress, was and is unlawful, notoriously scandalous to God’s church and to this council, disturbing and damaging for the church’s peace and unity, supportive of this long-standing schism, and at variance with the vow, promise and oath made by the said lord pope John to God, to the church and to this sacred council; that the said lord pope John has been and is a notorious simoniac, a notorious destroyer of the goods and rights not only of the Roman church but also of other churches and of many pious places, and an evil administrator and dispenser of the church’s spiritualities and temporalities; that he has notoriously scandalised God’s church and the christian people by his detestable and dishonest life and morals, both before his promotion to the papacy and afterwards until the present time, that by the above he has scandalised and is scandalising in a notorious fashion God’s church and the christian people; that after due and charitable warnings, frequently reiterated to him, he obstinately persevered in the aforesaid evils and thereby rendered himself notoriously incorrigible; and that on account of the above and other crimes drawn from and contained in the said process against him, he should be deprived of and deposed from, as an unworthy, useless and damnable person, the papacy and all its spiritual and temporal administration.

In nomine sanctae et individuae trinitatis patris et filii et spiritus sancti Amen.

sacrosancta generalis Constantiensis synodus in spiritu sancto legitime congregata invocato christi nomine solum deum prae oculis habens visis articulis in hac causa contra dominum Ioannem papam xxiii formatis et oblatis ac probationibus eorumdem factis eiusdem submissione spontanea una cum toto processu huius causae habita matura deliberatione super eisdem per hanc sententiam definitivam quam profert in scriptis pronunciat decernit et declarat recessum per praefatum dominum Ioannem papam xxiii ab hac civitate Constantiensi et dicto sacro generali concilio clandestine de nocte hora suspecta in habitu dissimulato et indecenti factum fuisse et esse illicitum ecclesiae dei et dicto concilio notorie scandalosum pacis et unionis ipsius ecclesiae turbativum et impeditivum schismatis inveterati nutritivum a voto promissione et iuramento per ipsum dominum Ioannem papam deo et ecclesiae et huic sacro concilio praestitis deviativum ipsum que dominum Ioannem papam simoniacum notorium bonorum que et iurium nedum Romanae sed aliarum ecclesiarum et plurium aliorum locorum piorum dilapidatorem notorium malum que spiritualium et temporalium ecclesiae administratorem et dispensatorem fuisse et esse suis detestabilibus inhonestis que vita et moribus ecclesiam dei et populum christianum notorie scandalizantem ante eius assumptionem ad papatum et post usque ad ista tempora: ipsum que per praemissa ecclesiam dei et populum christianum notorie scandalizasse et scandalizare post que monitiones debitas et charitativas iteratis et crebris vicibus eidem factas in praemissis malis pertinaciter perseverasse se que ex hoc notorie incorrigibilem reddidisse ipsum que propter praemissa et alia crimina in processu dictae causae contra eum deducta et contenta tamquam indignum inutilem et damnosum a papatu et omni eius administratione spirituali et temporali amovendum privandum et deponendum fore.

The said holy synod does now remove, deprive and depose him. It declares each and every Christian, of whatever state, dignity or condition, to be absolved from obedience, fidelity and oaths to him. It forbids all Christians henceforth to recognise him as pope, now that as mentioned he has been deposed from the papacy, or to call him pope, or to adhere to or in any way to obey him as pope. The said holy synod, moreover, from certain knowledge and its fullness of power, supplies for all and singular defects that may have occurred in the above-mentioned procedures or in any one of them. It condemns the said person, by this same sentence, to stay and remain in a good and suitable place, in the name of this sacred general council, in the safe custody of the most serene prince lord Sigismund, king of the Romans and of Hungary, etc., and most devoted advocate and defender of the universal church, as long as it seems to the said general council to be for the good of the unity of God’s church that he should be so condemned. The said council reserves the right to declare and inflict other punishments that should be imposed for the said crimes and faults in accordance with canonical sanctions, according as the rigour of justice or the counsel of mercy may advise.

Et eum dicta sancta synodus amovet privat et deponit universos et singulos christicolas cuiuscumque status dignitatis vel conditionis exsistant ab eius oboedientia fidelitate et iuramento absolutos declarando.

Inhibendo insuper universis christifidelibus ne eumdem a papatu ut praemittitur sic depositum de cetero in papam recipiant seu eum papam nominent aut illi tamquam papae adhaereant seu quoquo modo oboediant.

Et nihilominus ex certa scientia et de plenitudine potestatis supplet dicta sancta synodus omnes et singulos defectus si qui forsan in praemissis vel aliquo praemissorum intervenerint.

Eum que ad standum et morandum in aliquo bono loco et honesto sub custodia tuta serenissimi principis domini Sigismundi Romanorum et Hungariae et caetera regis et universalis ecclesiae advocati et defensoris devotissimi nomine dicti sacri concilii generalis quamdiu dicto sacro concilio generali pro bono unionis ecclesiae dei videbitur condemnandum fore et eadem sententia condemnat.

Alias vero poenas quae pro dictis criminibus et excessibus inferri deberent iuxta canonicas sanctiones dictum concilium arbitrio suo reservat declarandas et infligendas secundum quod rigor iustitiae vel misericordiae ratio suadebit.

[Decree to the effect that none of the three contenders for the papacy may be re-elected as pope]

The said holy synod decrees, determines and ordains for the good of unity in God’s church that neither the lord Baldassare de Cossa, recently John XXIII, nor Angelo Correr nor Peter de Luna, called Gregory XII and Benedict XIII by their respective obediences, shall ever be re-elected as pope. If the contrary happens, it is by this very fact null and void. Nobody, of whatever dignity or pre-eminence even if he be emperor, king, cardinal or pontiff, may ever adhere to or obey them or any one of them, contrary to this decree, under pain of eternal damnation and of being a supporter of the said schism. Let those who presume to the contrary, if there are any in the future, also be firmly proceeded against in other ways, even by invoking the secular arm. [28 ]

Item decernit statuit et ordinat dicta sancta synodus pro bono unionis ecclesiae dei quod nullo umquam tempore reeligantur in papam dominus Balthasar de Cossa nuper Ioannes xxiii nec Angelus de Corario Gregorius xii nec Petrus de Luna Benedictus xiii in suis oboedientiis nuncupati.

Et si contrarium fieret id sit ipso facto irritum et inane.

Nullus que cuiuscumque dignitatis vel praeminentiae etiam si imperiali regali cardinalatus vel pontificali dignitate praefulgeat eis vel eorum alteri contra hoc decretum ullo umquam tempore oboediat seu adhaereat sub poena fautoriae dicti schismatis et maledictionis aeternae ad quas contra praesumptores si qui in posterum fuerint etiam cum invocatione brachii saecularis et alias rigide procedatur

SESSION 13 - 15 June 1415

[Condemnation of communion under both kinds, recently revived among the Bohemians by Jakoubek of Stribro]

In the name of the holy and undivided Trinity, Father and Son and holy Spirit, Amen. Certain people, in some parts of the world, have rashly dared to assert that the christian people ought to receive the holy sacrament of the eucharist under the forms of both bread and wine. They communicate the laity everywhere not only under the form of bread but also under that of wine, and they stubbornly assert that they should communicate even after a meal, or else without the need of a fast, contrary to the church’s custom which has been laudably and sensibly approved, from the church’s head downwards, but which they damnably try to repudiate as sacrilegious. Therefore this present general council of Constance, legitimately assembled in the holy Spirit, wishing to provide for the safety of the faithful against this error, after long deliberation by many persons learned in divine and human law, declares, decrees and defines that, although Christ instituted this venerable sacrament after a meal and ministered it to his apostles under the forms of both bread and wine, nevertheless and notwithstanding this, the praiseworthy authority of the sacred canons and the approved custom of the church have and do retain that this sacrament ought not to be celebrated after a meal nor received by the faithful without fasting, except in cases of sickness or some other necessity as permitted by law or by the church. Moreover, just as this custom was sensibly introduced in order to avoid various dangers and scandals, so with similar or even greater reason was it possible to introduce and sensibly observe the custom that, although this sacrament was received by the faithful under both kinds in the early church, nevertheless later it was received under both kinds only by those confecting it, and by the laity only under the form of bread. For it should be very firmly believed, and in no way doubted, that the whole body and blood of Christ are truly contained under both the form of bread and the form of wine. Therefore, since this custom was introduced for good reasons by the church and holy fathers, and has been observed for a very long time, it should be held as a law which nobody may repudiate or alter at will without the church’s permission. To say that the observance of this custom or law is sacrilegious or illicit must be regarded as erroneous. Those who stubbornly assert the opposite of the aforesaid are to be confined as heretics and severely punished by the local bishops or their officials or the inquisitors of heresy in the kingdoms or provinces in which anything is attempted or presumed against this decree, according to the canonical and legitimate sanctions that have been wisely established in favour of the catholic faith against heretics and their supporters.

in nomine sanctae et individuae trinitatis patris et filii et spiritus sancti Amen.

cum in nonnullis mundi partibus quidam temerarie asserere praesumant populum christianum debere sacrum eucharistiae sacramentum sub utraque panis et vini specie suscipere et non solum sub specie panis sed etiam sub specie vini populum laicum passim communicent etiam post coenam vel alias non ieiunum et communicandum esse pertinaciter asserant contra laudabilem ecclesiae consuetudinem rationabiliter comprobatam quam tamquam sacrilegam damnabiliter reprobare conantur a capite incipiendo: hinc est quod hoc praesens Constantiense concilium generale in spiritu sancto legitime congregatum adversus hunc errorem saluti fidelium providere satagens matura plurium doctorum tam divini quam humani iuris deliberatione praehabita declarat decernit et definit quod licet christus post coenam instituerit et suis apostolis ministraverit sub utraque specie panis et vini hoc venerabile sacramentum tamen hoc non obstante sacrorum canonum auctoritas laudabilis et approbata consuetudo ecclesiae servavit et servat quod huiusmodi sacramentum non debet confici post coenam neque a fidelibus recipi non ieiunis nisi in casu infirmitatis aut alius necessitatis a iure vel ab ecclesia concesso vel admisso.

Et sicut haec consuetudo ad vitanda aliqua pericula et scandala rationabiliter introducta est sic potuit simili aut maiori ratione introduci et rationabiliter observari quod licet in primitiva ecclesia huiusmodi sacramentum reciperetur a fidelibus sub utraque specie tamen postea a conficientibus sub utraque et a laicis tantummodo sub specie panis suscipiatur cum firmissime credendum sit et nullatenus dubitandum integrum christi corpus et sanguinem tam sub specie panis quam sub specie vini veraciter contineri.

Unde cum huiusmodi consuetudo ab ecclesia et sanctis patribus rationabiliter introducta et diutissime observata sit habenda est pro lege quam non licet reprobare aut sine ecclesiae auctoritate pro libito innovare. Quapropter dicere quod hanc consuetudinem aut legem observare sit sacrilegum aut illicitum censeri debet erroneum: et pertinaciter asserentes oppositum praemissarum tamquam haeretici arcendi sunt et graviter puniendi per dioecesanos locorum seu officiales eorum aut inquisitores haereticae pravitatis in regnis seu provinciis in quibus contra hoc decretum aliquid fuerit forsan attentatum aut praesumptum iuxta canonicas et legitimas sanctiones in favorem catholicae fidei contra haereticos et eorum fautores salubriter adinventas.

[That no priest, under pain of excommunication, may communicate the people under the forms of both bread and wine]

This holy synod also decrees and declares, regarding this matter, that instructions are to be sent to the most reverend fathers and lords in Christ, patriarchs, primates, archbishops, bishops, and their vicars in spirituals, wherever they may be, in which they are to be commissioned and ordered on the authority of this sacred council and under pain of excommunication, to punish effectively those who err against this decree. They may receive back into the church’s fold those who have gone astray by communicating the people under the forms of both bread and wine, and have taught this, provided they repent and after a salutary penance, in accordance with the measure of their fault, has been enjoined upon them. They are to repress as heretics, however, by means of the church’s censures and even if necessary by calling in the help of the secular arm, those of them whose hearts have become hardened and who are unwilling to return to penance.

Item ipsa sancta synodus decernit et declarat super ista materia reverendissimis in christo patribus et dominis patriarchis primatibus archiepiscopis episcopis et eorum in spiritualibus vicariis ubilibet constitutis processus esse dirigendos in quibus eis committatur et mandetur auctoritate huius sacri concilii sub poena excommunicationis ut effectualiter puniant eos contra hoc decretum excedentes.

Eos vero qui in communicando populum sub utraque specie panis et vini exorbitaverunt et sic faciendum esse docuerunt si ad poenitentiam redeant ad gremium ecclesiae suscipiant iniuncta eis pro modo culpae poenitentia salutari.

Qui vero ex illis ad poenitentiam redire non curaverint animo indurato per censuras ecclesiasticas per eos ut haeretici sunt coercendi invocato etiam ad hoc si opus fuerit auxilio brachii saecularis.

From this point on the council becomes a duly convened ecumenical council, all previous sessions being ultra-vires.

SESSION 14 - 4 July 1415

[29 ]

[Uniting of the followers of pope Gregory XII and of the former pope John XXIII, now that both men have abdicated]

In order that the reunion of the church may be possible and that a beginning may be made which is fitting and pleasing to God, since the most important part of any matter is its beginning, and in order that the two obediences--namely the one claiming that the lord John XXIII was formerly pope and the other claiming that the lord Gregory XII is pope--may be united together under Christ as head, this most holy general synod of Constance, legitimately assembled in the holy Spirit and representing the catholic church, accepts in all matters the convoking, authorising, approving and confirming that is now being made in the name of the lord who is called Gregory XII by those obedient to him, insofar as it seems to pertain to him to do this, since the certainty obtained by taking a precaution harms nobody and benefits all, and it decrees and declares that the aforesaid two obediences are joined and united in the one body of our lord Jesus Christ and of this sacred universal general council, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit.

Cum principium cuiuslibet rei potissima pars sit ut principium decens et amabile deo et possibilis ecclesiae reintegratio fiat sacrosancta generalis synodus Constantiensis in spiritu sancto congregata legitime ecclesiam catholicam repraesentans ut istae duae oboedientiae videlicet illa quae profitetur dominum Ioannem xxiii olim fuisse papam et illa quae profitetur dominum Gregorium xii esse papam unanimiter una alteri et altera alteri coniungantur sub capite christo dictas convocationem auctorizationem approbationem et confirmationem nomine illius domini qui in sua oboedientia dicitur Gregorius xii nunc factas quantum ad ipsum spectare videtur quia abundans ad certitudinem pro bona cautela nemini nocet sed omnibus prodest in omnibus et per omnia admittit et aliquo modo has supradictas duas oboedientias coniunctas et unitas esse decernit et declarat in uno corpore domini nostri Iesu christi et huius sacri universalis concilii generalis in nomine patris et filii et spiritus sancti.

[Decree stating that the election of the Roman pontiff is to be made in the manner and form to be laid down by the sacred council, and that the council shall not be dissolved until the election of the next Roman pontiff has been made]

The most holy general synod of Constance, etc., enacts, pronounces, ordains and decrees, in order that God’s holy church may be provided for better, more genuinely and more securely, that the next election of the future Roman pontiff is to be made in the manner, form, place, time and way that shall be decided upon by the sacred council; that the same council can and may henceforth declare fit, accept and designate, in the manner and form that then seems suitable, any persons for the purposes of this election, whether by active or by passive voice, of whatever state or obedience they are or may have been, and any other ecclesiastical acts and all other suitable things, notwithstanding any proceedings, penalties or sentences; and that the sacred council shall not be dissolved until the said election has been held. The said holy synod therefore exhorts and requires the most victorious prince lord Sigismund, king of the Romans and of Hungary, as the church’s devoted advocate and as the sacred council’s defender and protector, to direct all his efforts to this end and to promise on his royal word that he wishes to do this and to order letters of his majesty to be made out for this purpose.

Sacrosancta generalis synodus Constantiensis et caetera ut ecclesiae sanctae dei eo melius sincerius et securius provideatur statuit pronunciat ordinat et decernit quod proxima electio futuri Romani pontificis fiat modo forma loco tempore et materia per sacrum concilium ordinandis.

Et quod idem concilium possit et valeat in futurum quascumque personas cuiuscumque status vel oboedientiae sint aut fuerint ad electionem huiusmodi active et passive et alios quoscumque actus ecclesiasticos et omnia alia opportuna non obstantibus quibuscumque processibus poenis aut sententiis habilitare recipere et deputare modo et forma quibus tunc videbitur expedire.

Quod que sacrum concilium non dissolvatur donec electio huiusmodi fuerit celebrata.

Exhortans dicta sancta synodus invictissimum principem dominum Sigismundum Romanorum et Hungarorum regem pariter et requirens quatenus tamquam pius ecclesiae advocatus et sacri concilii defensor et protector omnem ad hoc operam efficaciter impendat et verbo regio velle facere hoc promittat ac litteras suae maiestatis desuper fieri decernat.

[The council approves Gregory XII’s resignation]

The most holy general synod of Constance, legitimately assembled in the holy Spirit, representing the universal catholic church, accepts, approves and commends, in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy Spirit, the cession renunciation and resignation made on behalf of the lord who was called Gregory XII in his obedience, by the magnificent and powerful lord Charles Malatesta. here present, his irrevocable procurator for this business, of the right, title and possession that he had, or may have had, in regard to the papacy. [30 ]

Sacrosancta generalis synodus Constantiensis in spiritu sancto legitime congregata universalem ecclesiam catholicam repraesentans cessionem renunciationem et resignationem pro parte illius domini qui in sua oboedientia dicebatur Gregorius xii iuris tituli et possessionis quod quem et quam habuit in papatu vel si quod quem vel quam habuit in papatu nunc per magnificum et potentem dominum Carolum de Malatestis hic praesentem eius ad hoc procuratorem irrevocabilem pro eodem domino qui dicebatur Gregorius xii factas admittit approbat et collaudat in nomine patris et filii et spiritus sancti.