Second Council of Lyon

The Second Council of Lyon, the Lyon Pope Gregory X was held in 1274 under the leadership decided on three major issues: A Union of the Greeks, a crusade and the reformation of the Church.

History

On March 31, 1272 Gregor convened the meeting and asked in March 1273 all Christians to their opinions and assistance regarding the reform of the Church. After a long preparation period, the Assembly was finally opened on May 7, 1274. About 300 bishops, 60 abbots and a number of other churchmen and theologians took part in the meeting. Commissioned by Pope took over Bonaventura, who was ordained for this purpose to the bishop the preparation of the Council. Thomas Aquinas died on arrival. There were also James I, King of Aragon, and delegates from France, Germany, England and Sicily and a delegation from the Tatars. The Greeks arrived only on 24 June because they had been shipwrecked. This practically representatives of all Christendom were present and the meeting was well how it had wished Gregory, as a universally applicable and ecumenical.

The meeting, which was about six times, put in the fourth meeting on July 6 states that the unit should be restored between the Western and the Eastern Church, but was so successful only in the short term. The union seems to have been the Greek side by Emperor Michael VIII forced to be (see creed of Michael Palaeologus ), who wanted to have the support of the Pope against Charles of Angevin attack on the Byzantine Empire. However, the majority of the Greek clergy was still against the Union. It is also questionable to what extent the agreement was supported by the successors of Gregory.

In addition, the council called for a conclave of cardinals in the papal election, to avoid that the three-year Sedisvakanz could repeat the papacy from 1268 to 1271, as a settlement of the cardinals had failed on a candidate again. Everyone should have a cardinal ( in exceptional cases two) servant may have with them, all live together in one room may have ( without curtains ) and no oral or written contact with the outside world. After three days, the meals should be limited to one per day, finally after eight days on bread, water and wine.

Furthermore, they agreed on another crusade, but the project failed due to lack of will and money problems. But it was granted a renewed crusade tax for six years.