They Who Reject the Decisions of Councils Are Themselves Rejected by the Church; Ecumenical Councils Q&A
- F M SHYANGUYA
- Oct 17, 2025
- 2 min read
What are Ecumenical Councils?
Ecumenical Councils are those to which the bishops, and others entitled to vote, are convoked from the whole world (oikoumene) under the presidency of the pope or his legates, and the decrees of which, having received papal confirmation, bind all Christians. [Catholic Encyclopedia > General Councils > 2. Classification]
How Many Ecumenical Councils Have There Been in the History of the Church?
Councils have their prototype in the 'Apostles Council' in Jerusalem [cf. Acts 15 (RSVCE): The Council at Jerusalem], although the Council at Jerusalem is not formally listed among the twenty-one councils of which Vatican II is the latest.
Can Any Catholic Reject a Council or the Decisions of a Council?
From the earliest times they who rejected the decisions of councils were themselves rejected by the Church. [...] Pope Leo the Great expressly declares that "whoso resists the Councils of Nicaea and Chalcedon cannot be numbered among Catholics." [...] "Concilium generale representat ecclesiam universalem, eique absolute obediendum" (General councils represent the universal Church and demand absolute obedience). The Scripture texts on which this unshaken belief is based are, among others: "But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth . . ." (John 16:13) "Behold I am with you [teaching] all days even to the consummation of the world" (Matthew 28:20), "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it [i.e. the Church]" (Matthew 16:18). [Catholic Encyclopedia > General Councils > 8. Infallibility of General Councils]
What are the Documents of the Second Vatican Council?
These are the 16 Documents of the Second Vatican Council:
4 Constitutions;
3 Declarations; and
9 Decrees
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