Jackson on Article XXI: Of the Authority of General Councils

The transition of thought from Article XX. is natural. For ‘‘ the authority of the Church ’’ is normally expressed through General Councils, And it is therefore necessary at once to define the limits of their authority.

First, the Article says they “‘ may not be gathered together without the commandment and ‘will of Princes.’’ This is a principle based on the

precedent of the Six Great General Councils (Niczea 325, Constantinople 381, Ephesus 431, Chalcedon 481, 2nd and 3rd Constantinople 553 and 680), all of which were summoned by Roman Emperors. The emphasis laid upon it in the 16th century was no doubt intended as a safeguard against Papal claims.

Second, the Article asserts that, even when duly convened, ‘‘ they may err, and sometimes have erred, even in things pertaining unto God.’’ ‘This is simply a matter of history (see Salmon, In- fallibility of the Church, pp. 274 ff.). Probably the statement is aimed specially at such a Council as the Lateran Council of 1215, which formulated the dogma of transubstantiation.

Third, the Article re-affirms the great principle of the final authority of Holy Scripture. “‘ Things ordained by them as necessary to salvation have neither strength nor authority, unless it may be declared (1.e., made clear) that they be taken out of holy Scripture.””

ARTICLE XXII. Or PurGaATory.