§ 89. a) Metropolitan Councils

a) Metropolitan councils.

The ordinance of Apostolic canon 37 concerning metropolitan councils was repeated at several councils of subsequent centuries.[1] At the Council in Trullo, canon 8 also prescribed a corresponding penalty for bishops who fail to come to the council, and at the same time it was ordained that these councils are in any case to assemble at least once a year; and canon 6 of the Seventh Ecumenical Council subjects to canonical penalty a metropolitan who neglects to convene a council of bishops. In the event that a bishop is prevented from attending the council, he may send his representative,[2] or else send his opinion to the council in writing.[3]

As to the time and place when and where the bishops are to assemble in council, the aforementioned canon 8 of Trullo ordains that this be between Easter and the month of October, and at a place appointed by the metropolitan.[4]

The competence of these councils extends to all matters concerning the church district in question that exceed the competence of the jurisdiction of a single bishop in the church entrusted to him.[5] In canon 6 of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, the matters within the competence of these councils are divided into canonical and evangelical matters (περὶ κανονικῶν καὶ εὐαγγελικῶν πραγμάτων).[6] The commentators on the canon refer to the first—that is, the canonical matters—everything concerning judgment, the administration of church property, the election of clergy, and the like; and to the second—that is, the evangelical matters—everything concerning the performance of the sacraments and the other commandments of God.[7] According to this division, the competence of the council in general includes:

I. With regard to canonical matters: 1. the exercise of church jurisdiction;[8] 2. the election and installation of bishops;[9] 3. cases where a new bishopric is to be founded;[10] 4. the administration of church property;[11] 5. the removal of abuses that may chance to creep into the Church;[12] 6. the adjudication of cases where a people refuses to receive its elected bishop;[13] 7. the transfer of bishops;[14] and in general, 8. oversight as to whether, in their own churches, bishops carry out everything according to law.[15]

II. With regard to evangelical matters: 1. the discussion of doctrinal questions that may chance to arise;[16] 2. judgment concerning liturgical books and other books that concern faith and the Church;[17] 3. the education of the clergy;[18] 4. the religious and moral condition of the people;[19] 5. whether the sacraments and the other church rites are performed according to the prescribed forms;[20] 6. that no superstitions be allowed to creep in among the people;[21] and in general, 7. whether Christian precepts are everywhere and in every respect observed.[22]

In order that such a council may act with competence—that is, that its resolutions be valid—it must be composed of at least three persons: the metropolitan and two bishops.[23] For the deposition of a bishop, canon 12 of the Council of Carthage requires twelve bishops;[24] but from the canonical practice of the Church of the older period it may be concluded that any properly constituted council of bishops is authorized to do this, provided it in any case consists of more than two bishops.[25]