5 I 2 Readings in European History subjected to condign penance and be suitably punished, hav- ing recourse, if necessary, to the resources of the law. . . . l 215. The A frequent celebration of general councils is an especial
- nquens mean s for cultivating the field of the Lord and effecting the
passed by destruction of briers, thorns, and thistles, to wit, heresies, theCouncilof errors, and schism, and of bringing forth a most abundant Constance , rr ,, , .. (October, harvest 1 he neglect to summon these fosters and develops 1417). all these evils, as may be plainly seen from a recollection of the past and a consideration of existing conditions. There- fore, by a perpetual edict, we sanction, decree, establish, and ordain that general councils shall be celebrated in the fol- lowing manner, so that the next one shall follow the close of this present council at the end of five years. The second shall follow the close of that, at the end of seven years, and councils shall thereafter be celebrated every ten years in such places as the pope shall be required to designate and assign, with the consent and approbation of the council, one month before the close of the council in question, or which, in his absence, the council itself shall designate. Thus, with a certain continuity, a council will always be either in ses- sion, or be expected at the expiration of a definite time. This term may, however, be shortened on account of emergencies, by the supreme pontiff, with the counsel of his brethren, the cardinals of the holy Roman Church, but it may not be hereafter lengthened. The place, moreover, designated for the future council may not be altered without evident necessity. If, however, some complication shall arise, in view of which such a change shall seem necessary, as, for example, a state of siege, a war, a pest, or other obstacles, it shall be permissible for. the supreme pontiff, with the consent and subscription of his said brethren, or two thirds of them, to select another appropriate place near the first, which must be within the same country, unless such 1 The rest of the decree relates specifically to John XXIII, who had fled from Constance. The council claims that John enjoyed full liberty at Constance, and orders that he shall not induce the cardinals and members of his curia to desert the council and follow him.
