Doctrinas y relaciones de poder en el Cisma de occidente y en la época conciliar (1378–1449) ed. by José Antônio de C. R. De Souza and Bernardo Bayona Aznar (review)

The editors of this volume start from the extended interest in Spain for historical novels and the dearth of knowledge about medieval philosophy and legal-political thought in that same population. They seek to remedy the situation in this collection of studies aimed at a Spanish audience in that all the contributions either were written in or translated into Spanish, and the secondary literature and even the original sources are presented for the most part in a Spanish translation. Within this limitation the volume provides an abundance of information and insights covering the major aspects of the conciliar era.

The introduction (by Bernardo Bayona Aznar) gives an overview of the relationship of the Church, its doctrine, and the secular world, including the Church’s ideas on power and a discussion of the ebb and flow over the centuries especially in regard to the consolidation of papal power, the tendency to identify the Church with the pope, and the failure of reform. The chapters that follow confront and examine the key persons, events, and ideas. Chapter 1 (by José Antônio de Camargo Rodrigues de Souza) details the antecedents of the Great Western Schism, its immediate consequences, the fundamental question why the pope and cardinals at the outset did not grasp the gravity of their actions, and the dominance of political and territorial interests in the decisions and actions that followed over the decades. Chapter 2 (by Luís A. De Boni) takes up John Wyclif and his questioning of the power attributed to the papacy. The author notes that Wyclif must be considered in the context of the English situation (royal centralization versus outside interference) and the call for a return to a “poor Church.” Chapter 3 (by Bernardo Bayona Aznar) provides an excellent introduction to Francesc Eiximenis, his world, and his ideas on power. This is most welcome, as he is a figure not well known outside of Spain. Chapter 4 (by Fátima Regina Fernandes) examines the Church from Pisa, which deposed claimants from both the Roman and Avignon lines for their failure to work for unity of the Church and then at Constance, which moved against a third claimant (John XXIII) not because he was not valid but because he was found unworthy of the papacy. Chapter 5 (by Gregorio Piaia) centers attention on Franciscus Zabarella as the theorist of conciliarism from the legal perspective. It especially notes the significant revision in the evaluation of Zabarella since the Second Vatican Council. It stresses that in the “incipit” of Zabarella’s tract De schismate his emphasis was how to achieve union and that it was the duty of all to work for this while maintaining a legal and theological basis in medieval corporation theory and canon law for any actions. Chapter 6 (by Thiago Soares Leite) addresses the conciliar theory of Pierre d’Ailly and what he wrote on obedience to the pope as well as obedience by the pope, whereas chapter 7 (by Alfredo S Culleton) is on Jean Gerson, his contribution to conciliar thought, and his efforts for unity and reform. In the context of this movement chapter 8 (by Marcella Lopez Guimarães) examines the case of Jan Hus, his ideas and actions, his connection with the ideas of Wyclif, the situation in Prague and Bohemia, as well as the context in which the Fathers at Constance condemned and executed him.

Chapter 9 (by Estaban Peña Esguren) steps back to take a broad look at Constance, the relation of pope and Council, the decrees Haec Sancta and Frequens, and the question of a middle view present at Constance (given...