What was the conciliar movement / conciliarism?

Answer

The conciliar movement or conciliarism was a reform movement within the Catholic Church that promoted the idea that church councils have authority over popes.

One of the cornerstones of Protestant theology is that each person has the right and responsibility to interpret the Bible for themselves. This does not imply that every individual interpretation is accurate—quite the opposite. However, it does establish the principle that individuals are accountable for reading and studying the Bible for themselves rather than unquestioningly accepting the word of an established authority. While teachers and leaders within the church are meant to challenge error and thereby safeguard the congregation, it is ultimately the individual who will be judged as right or wrong before God. Roman Catholics often criticize Protestants for lacking a definitive authority on matters of biblical interpretation.

The conciliar movement arose because Roman Catholics recognize several sources of authority—the Bible, church tradition, church councils, and the pope. While the Bible is acknowledged as an authority, the church dictates to its members the correct interpretation of the Bible. So, who determines which interpretation of Scripture or which church tradition is authoritative? The answer lies with either the popes, the church councils, or both. Although the official doctrine of the infallibility of the pope was not established until the First Vatican Council (1869–1870), the pope’s authority had long been acknowledged, and many popes asserted supreme authority in the church. (The infallibility of the pope does not mean that he is incapable of error in everything he says or does; rather, when he speaks ex cathedra—sitting on the throne of St. Peter and making a pronouncement intended to be binding for the entire Catholic Church—his declaration will indeed be the infallible rule for the church.)

In the 16th century, during Martin

Luther was confronted with the authority of the church and ordered to recant. He stated his position clearly, and his answer reveals the primary difference between the Catholic view of authority and what came to be the Protestant view: “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason—for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves—I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me.”

Many Protestants do look to early church councils (like Nicea) as being authoritative—but only in that these councils arrived at decisions that are clearly supported by Scripture. Protestants feel obligated to disagree with councils that reach conclusions not supported by Scripture.

In the 13th and 14th centuries, the papacy seemed to be especially corrupt and also in conflict with the secular rulers in Europe. The papal headquarters were moved to Avignon, France, in 1309. There, Clement VII was elected pope by primarily French cardinals. A rival, Urban VI, was elected pope in Rome. It was these disputed elections that led to the beginning of the conciliar movement. The leaders of Europe aligned themselves with one or the other of the two popes. Each pope was succeeded by a replacement upon his death, so the controversy continued. In order to try to settle the issue, the cardinals convened the Council of Pisa (1409). Instead of choosing between the existing popes, they elected a third, which only compounded the problem as now three men claimed the title.

The Council of Constance (1414–1418) deposed two of the existing popes (the third abdicated) and elected Martin V as the sole pope. That council also decided that church councils would have authority over the popes. However, Martin V refused t

To ratify their decision. In protest, the conciliarists eventually convened the Council of Basel (1430–1449) to attempt to gain control over the pope, but their effort failed. Out of this council emerged the Council of Florence, which selected an (anti)pope who favored conciliarism. Nevertheless, conciliarism did not garner backing from the secular leaders of Europe and eventually collapsed.

The Fifth Lateran Council (1512–1517) opposed conciliarism and reaffirmed the pope’s primacy. Presently, the pope is recognized as the supreme authority within the Catholic Church, although there are still some who advocate for conciliarism, particularly in the United States.