The Conditions Necessary For A Council To Be Regarded As Ecumenical

[Oik]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='20 April 2010 - 10:21 PM' timestamp='1271820109' post='2097162']
I think it would be ridiculous to state a minimum number. Ecumenical councils in the past have had a huge range in regard to the number of voting members attending. Obviously there should be a number that is in a way representative of the entire existing episcopate, but I do not think a definite minimum number can be stated.
[/quote]

Sounds reasonable to me.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Formosus' date='20 April 2010 - 10:24 PM' timestamp='1271820276' post='2097163']
Yet how can western Bishop be "representative of the entire existing episcopate" when they can only represent one portion of the Church.
[/quote]

How can only Eastern bishops be representative of the entire episcopate, as was the case at Constantinople I?

[Oik]

[quote name='Formosus' date='20 April 2010 - 10:24 PM' timestamp='1271820276' post='2097163']
Yet how can western Bishop be "representative of the entire existing episcopate" when they can only represent one portion of the Church.
[/quote]

Some might say that the Pope of Rome, seen as being the Supreme Pontiff and ultimate guardian of the Universal Church, could legitimately represent any episcopate either missing, absent or non-existent.

[Oik]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='20 April 2010 - 10:29 PM' timestamp='1271820569' post='2097169']
How can only Eastern bishops be representative of the entire episcopate, as was the case at Constantinople I?
[/quote]

How so, indeed. How so, indeed?

[Formosus]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='21 April 2010 - 12:29 AM' timestamp='1271820569' post='2097169']
How can only Eastern bishops be representative of the entire episcopate, as was the case at Constantinople I?
[/quote]

The Pope's acceptance of the Council's decisions were enough to make it Ecumenical as he can legitimately represent all the Bishops of his Patriarchate.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Formosus' date='20 April 2010 - 10:41 PM' timestamp='1271821316' post='2097177']
The Pope's acceptance of the Council's decisions were enough to make it Ecumenical as he can legitimately represent all the Bishops of his Patriarchate.
[/quote]

Would you agree with what Oik stated earlier, namely, that the Pope, as head of the College of Bishops, can represent those bishops not present at an ecumenical council?

[Formosus]

The Pope can represent members of his patriarchate or a Bishop from an Eastern church could give the Pope the right to represent him at a Council. This is merely my personal opinion and I realize it differs from the teachings of VI and VII.

[Oik]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='20 April 2010 - 11:11 PM' timestamp='1271823078' post='2097194']
Would you agree with what Oik stated earlier, namely, that the Pope, as head of the College of Bishops, can represent those bishops not present at an ecumenical council?
[/quote]

Should read "Would you agree with what Oik stated some might say..."

[militantsparrow]

What about the VI ecumenical council in which Pope Honorius was excommunicated. The Pope couldn't have signed off in that case.