16th Ecumenical Council (Catholic reckoning) · Constance · A.D. 1414–1418
The sixteenth ecumenical council: it ended the Great Western Schism, condemned John Wyclif and Jan Hus, and passed the decrees Haec sancta and Frequens.
Translated by Norman P. Tanner, Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils (Georgetown University Press, 1990). Source: papalencyclicals.net. This modern critical translation is under copyright and is reproduced here from papalencyclicals.net, which has hosted it freely for many years. Tanner’s critical-apparatus footnotes are omitted; his introductions and the full conciliar text are retained.
Documents
- Sessions 1 to 4 — Two introductions and sessions 1–4, the opening of the council and the flight of John XXIII.
- Haec Sancta (Session 5) — The decree Haec sancta asserting the authority of a general council over the pope (session 5, 6 April 1415), with the brief sessions 6–7.
- Condemnation of Wyclif (Session 8) — The condemnation of the 260 articles of John Wyclif and his books (session 8, 4 May 1415).
- Sessions 9 to 14 — Sessions 9–14, including the deposition of Pope John XXIII and the council’s acceptance of Gregory XII’s resignation.
- Sentence Against Jan Hus (Session 15) — The sentence and degradation of Jan Hus, condemned to be burned at the stake (session 15, 6 July 1415), together with further articles of Wyclif condemned in the same session.
- Sessions 16 to 37 — Sessions 16–37 (July 1415 – July 1417), the procedural sessions of the council’s middle years, including the treaty of Narbonne and the withdrawal of Aragon’s obedience from the Avignon claimant Benedict XIII.
- Frequens (Session 39) — The decree Frequens, requiring general councils to be held at regular intervals (session 39, 9 October 1417), preceded by the brief session 38.
- Sessions 40 to 45 — Sessions 40–45, including the election of Pope Martin V (session 41) and the dissolution of the council.