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| Marble bas relief by Joseph Kiselewski, 1950 |
On November 30, 1215, this day 800 years ago, the Fourth Lateran Council was formally closed by Pope Innocent III, who had opened it on November 11, and stood strongly behind its provisions. On this day seventy decrees were approved for the restoration of sound doctrine, the strengthening of ecclesiastical discipline, and peace in the civil order. It is a fascinating exercise to return to the decrees of this ecumenical council, therefore a council of the highest order of authority, and see what it has to say to us today.
The Confession of Faith with which the acts of the Council begin is one of the most exquisite documents of the Church’s Magisterium:
