COUNCIL OF VIENNE Meaning and
Definition
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The Council of Vienne was an ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church that took place between 1311 and 1312. This council was convened in the French city of Vienne by Pope Clement V in response to various issues affecting the Church at the time.
The primary purpose of the Council of Vienne was to address concerns related to the suppression of the Knights Templar, a medieval Christian military order. The council aimed to investigate allegations of heresy and religious infractions committed by the Templars. As a result of this inquiry, the council ultimately decided to dissolve the order in 1312.
In addition to addressing the Templar issue, the Council of Vienne also discussed and made several important decrees concerning matters of church governance and ecclesiastical discipline. It put forward measures to institute reforms within the Church, particularly in relation to the clergy and religious orders. The council declared that certain practices, such as plurality of benefices (holding multiple positions within the church) and the simony (selling of sacred offices or positions), were forbidden.
Moreover, the Council of Vienne played a role in the Western Schism by decreeing the careful examination and supervision of papal elections. This decree was aimed at preventing the future occurrence of multiple claimants to the papacy, which was a significant issue plaguing the Church during this period.
Overall, the Council of Vienne holds historical significance for its decisions regarding the Knights Templar, ecclesiastical reforms, and actions taken to alleviate problems within the Roman Catholic Church.
