1431–1445 · Basel, Ferrara, Florence and Rome
Council of Basel–Ferrara–Florence
Why this council matters
This council spans several locations and a disputed institutional history. The reunion discussions at Ferrara and Florence brought major Eastern and Western theological questions into focus, including the procession of the Holy Spirit.
The resulting decrees matter for Catholic doctrine, but the announced unions did not all endure. The later continuation at Basel also requires careful treatment: not every later act of that assembly belongs to the recognized ecumenical council. A useful reading distinguishes doctrinal formulations, negotiations, papal authority and reception.
Read and investigate
The documents are currently available through an external primary edition.
Controversies
Church reform, conciliar authority and attempts at reunion with Eastern Christians.
Decrees
Produced reunion decrees and teaching on issues including the Spirit, sacraments and the last things.
Definitions
The continued assembly at Basel and the council transferred under papal authority cannot simply be treated as one undifferentiated set of acts.