Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A historical ecclesiastical council: The Council of Constance was a council of the Roman Catholic Church held from 1414 to 1418 in the city of Constance (now Konstanz, Germany). Its primary achievements were ending the Western Schism (also known as the Great Schism) by deposing rival popes and electing Pope Martin V, and condemning the teachings of Jan Hus.

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun:
  • The Council of Constance was convened to resolve the crisis of multiple claimants to the papacy.
  • One of the most significant outcomes of the Council of Constance was the condemnation of Jan Hus for heresy.

Advanced Usage

• "to be addressed by the Council of Constance": to be formally dealt with or considered by this council.
  • The issue of ecclesiastical reform was addressed by the Council of Constance, though with limited lasting success.

Variants and Related Words

• Constance: The city where the council was held.
• Ecumenical council: A conference of ecclesiastical dignitaries and theological experts convened to discuss and settle matters of Church doctrine and practice. The Council of Constance is considered one such council by the Catholic Church.

Synonyms

• The Council of Konstanz (using the German name for the city).

Related Phrases

• Ending the Great Schism: A phrase often used to describe the primary historical role of the Council of Constance.
  • The Council of Constance is credited with ending the Great Schism.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. the council in 1414-1418 that succeeded in ending the Great Schism in the Roman Catholic Church