Deposing popes
Question from on 08-02-2007:
Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV didn't get along. Gregory excommunicated Henry and claimed he was no longer emperor ,who, in turn, convened a Church council which deposed Gregory and elected a new pope who, predictably (re)crowned Henry as emperor.
My question is does canon law now prohibit councils from deposing a pope, or is it possible that this could occur again?
Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 08-02-2007:
Canons 338-341 prohibits any functioning of an ecumenical council without the pope. In fact, if a pope has convoked a council and then dies, the council is automatically suspended by the law itself.
Question from on 08-02-2007:
Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV didn't get along. Gregory excommunicated Henry and claimed he was no longer emperor ,who, in turn, convened a Church council which deposed Gregory and elected a new pope who, predictably (re)crowned Henry as emperor.
My question is does canon law now prohibit councils from deposing a pope, or is it possible that this could occur again?
Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 08-02-2007:
Canons 338-341 prohibits any functioning of an ecumenical council without the pope. In fact, if a pope has convoked a council and then dies, the council is automatically suspended by the law itself.
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