Lateran Councils

I

Introduction

Lateran Councils, five ecumenical councils of the Roman Catholic church, held in the Lateran Palace, Rome.

II

First Lateran Council

The first of these councils was held in 1123 during the pontificate of Callistus II; it was the first general council held in the West. Its most important decision was the confirmation of the Concordat of Worms (1122), which ended the controversy between ecclesiastical and secular authorities over investiture. The council also adopted canons forbidding simony and the marriage of clergymen, and it annulled the ordinances of the antipope Gregory VIII (reigned 1118-1121).

III

Second Lateran Council

The second council was held in 1139 under Pope Innocent II (r. 1130-1143). It was called to heal the schism caused by the antipope Anacletus II (r. 1130-1138) and decreed excommunication for his followers. The council renewed the canons against clerical marriage and forbade dangerous tournaments.

IV

Third Lateran Council

The third council was held in 1179 under Pope Alexander III. It established the procedure for the election of a new pope by a conclave of cardinals, decreeing that a two-thirds vote of the conclave was necessary for election.

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