Table of Contents

Developing doctrine : Nicaea I (325) to Constantinople III (680-681) -- Prayer and politics : Nicaea II (787) and Constantinople IV (869-870) -- Supervising the early church : disciplinary canons -- Four Lateran councils : 1123-1215 -- Power struggles : Lyons I (1245) to Vienne (1311-1312) -- Supervising the medieval church : disciplinary canons -- Councils vs. popes : Constance (1414-1418) and Basel-Ferrara-Florence-Rome (1431-1445) -- Reform lost and regained : Lateran V (1512-1517) and Trent (1545-1563) -- Papal infallibility : Vatican I (1869-1870) -- Brave new world, brave new council : Vatican II (1962-1965).

About the Author

Christopher M. Bellitto is a church historian who has been profiled in the New York Times and has appeared on CNN to comment on Church matters. He holds a Ph.D. in medieval history from Fordham University and is the author of several books.