CONTENTS.

Preface i

Introduction. — The effect produced upon the World and upon the Faithful by the summoning of the General Council — General Councils, from their nature called together but seldom. — They are signs of an unusual state of things. — The Indiction of a Council a very solemn act on the part of the Vicar of Jesus Christ 1

Chapter I. — What persons are commanded to attend the Council. — The schismatic Bishops of the East invited to be present. — Protestants invited to return to the Fold of Christ 8

Chapter II. — The Pope alone has authority to summon a General Council. — He alone has authority to preside over it 11

Chapter III. — The Pontifical Power necessary for the existence of a Council. — The order of precedence among the members. — Proxies. — Secular Princes. — Councils summoned by the Pope by virtue of his supreme Jurisdiction 14

Chapter IV. — False theories concerning the relation of a General Council to the Pope. — A Council without the Pope does not bind the Church. — Its jurisdiction derived from him 20

Chapter V. — General Councils unlike all other assemblies. — The Pope not merely the president — He is supreme. — Bishops not the delegates of the people, but the Pope's councillors 26

Chapter VI. — The desire for a Council long entertained by the Pontiff. — The expectations therefrom formed by the late Cardinal Wiseman. — The expressed desire of the Universal Episcopate — Consecration of the Council to the Immaculate Mother of God. — The Bull of Indiction 31

Chapter VII. — Visit of the Abate Carlo Testa to the Greek and Armenian Patriarchs. — Freedom of action of the Greek Bishops at the Council of Florence. — Dying testimony of John, Patriarch of Constantinople at that time. — Subservience of the Greek Bishops to their Patriarch. — Their futile objections to the Council, — These objections refuted. — Two Bishops honourably distinguished from the rest. — Despotism of the Patriarch. — Humiliation inflicted upon him by the Ottoman Government. — Proposed separation of Greek and Bulgarian Churches. — The Patriarch proposes to call a Council. — Objections to this on the part of both Turks and Greeks 58

Chapter VIII. — Sentiments of the Catholicos of Echmiadzin. — Origin of his See and of its Title. — Its lapse into Schism, pretensions to dominion, and jealousy of the Armenian Patriarchate. — Apprehensions of the Catholicos with reference to the General Council. — His attempt to establish a Nuncio at Constantinople, and refusal of the Ottoman Government. — Proceedings of the Unionist and anti-Unionist party in the Armenian Church. — Intimidation of the Patriarch and his resignation. — Separation of the Bulgarians from the Greek Church and their contest with the Patriarch. — Consequent disturbances. — Reception of the Papal Letter by the Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria 70

Chapter IX. — Benefits which may be anticipated from the Council in respect to the Schismatic bodies. — Blindness of Catholic rulers to their true interests. — Behaviour of the French Government. — Its reservations in regard to the approaching Council. — Dispositions of the French Episcopate. — Desuetude of Canon Law in France. — Its causes and inconveniences. — The sentiments of liberal Catholics and of Catholics pure and simple. — Feeling and attitude of the non-Catholic body. — Aspirations and expectations of Catholics respecting dogmatic decisions 84

Chapter X. — The Pope's conduct towards the Bishops of the Eastern Schism. — Their condition. — Necessity of their submission to the Holy See 97

Chapter XI. — Election of Gregory X. to the Pontificate, — He invites the Emperor to the Council of Lyons. — The Emperor professes the Roman faith. — The opening of the Council. — Sermon of S. Bonaventure* — Arrival and submission of the Eastern Deputies. — The Emperor (by proxy) and the Deputies abjure the Schism. — Death of S. Thomas and of S. Bonaventure. — Insincerity of the Easterns. — Excommunication of Michael Palseologus 101

Chapter XII. — Present aspect of affairs. — The great vice of the Oriental mind. — Usurpation on the part of the Bishop of Constantinople. — Eugenius IV. and the Council of Basle. — Reception of the Patriarch of Constantinople by the Pope. — Meeting of the Council at Ferrara. — Its adjournment to Florence. — Meeting in separate Synods of the Latins and Greeks 108

Chapter XIII. — The Pope's Address to Protestants — Differences between the Greeks and Protestants. — Heretics never summoned to a Council. — Conduct of the Protestant Princes when invited by Paul III. — Impossibility of discussion between Catholics and Heretics 115

Chapter XIV. — Difference between the Motives of the Greeks at Florence — and that of the Protestants at Trent. — Instructions of Julius III. touching the latter. — Defined Doctrines cannot again be discussed. — Therefore the Protestants abstained from the Council of Trent. — End of that Council 120

Chapter XV. — The Sovereign Pontiff the only possible Convener of a Council. — His sanction necessary to its decrees. — The Council not superior to the Pope. — Supposed case of a Pope dying during the Session ; the case of Antipopes. — Council of Pisa. — Conduct of the Cardinals. — Mutual relations between the Pope and a Council. — The Pope cannot be accused of Heresy. — Prejudices of certain Canonists 125

Chapter XVI. — The work of Gratian. — The Canons "Anastasius" and "Si Papa." — Worthlessness of the former and non- authority of the latter. — Attempt of the Cardinals to call a Council. — Its failure. — The effect of opposition has been to make the Papal supremacy and infallibility more clear and certain 136

Appendix 141