Why Catholic?

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

* Episode 153: The Second Council of Constantinople (553)

* Episode 155: The Third Council of Constantinople (680-681)

* Episode 157: Reflections on the First Seven Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 158: The Fourth Council of Constantinople (869-870)

* Episode 167: The Avignon Papacy & The Great Western Schism

* Episode 168: The Council of Constance (1414-1418)

* Episode 170: The Fifth Lateran Council (1512-1517)

* Episode 173: The First Vatican Council (1869-1870)

* Episode 174: The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965)

* Episode 175: Reflections on the 21 Ecumenical Councils

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#175 - Reflections on the 21 Ecumenical Councils Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Justin Hibbard reflects on the 21 Ecumenical Councils with 6 lessons learned. What is the point of an ecumenical council? How did geopolitics play a role in these councils? What do these councils teach us about the problem of schism? How do these councils speak to the Catholic Church being the historic, true church? What’s the relationship between some of the councils and the crusades? And what is our responsibility today with respect to these councils?

SOCIAL LINKS

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

* Episode 153: The Second Council of Constantinople (553)

* Episode 155: The Third Council of Constantinople (680-681)

* Episode 157: Reflections on the First Seven Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 158: The Fourth Council of Constantinople (869-870)

* Episode 167: The Avignon Papacy & The Great Western Schism

* Episode 168: The Council of Constance (1414-1418)

* Episode 170: The Fifth Lateran Council (1512-1517)

* Episode 173: The First Vatican Council (1869-1870)

* Episode 174: The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965)

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#174 - The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils by examining the 21st and most recent ecumenical council. Why was this by far the largest ecumenical council? Who beyond the Bishops attended this council? How did the council fathers wrestle power away from the Curia? What decisions did it make? How did it call for liturgical reforms? And why has Vatican II received a bad rap?

SOCIAL LINKS

* Papal Encyclicals: The Second Vatican Ecumenical Council

SOURCES:

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

* Video: General Councils 15: Vatican II - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas

* Timeline of Vatican II

* Vatican News: An Overview of the Second Vatican Council

* A Pastoral and Dogmatic Council

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

* Episode 153: The Second Council of Constantinople (553)

* Episode 155: The Third Council of Constantinople (680-681)

* Episode 157: Reflections on the First Seven Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 158: The Fourth Council of Constantinople (869-870)

* Episode 167: The Avignon Papacy & The Great Western Schism

* Episode 168: The Council of Constance (1414-1418)

* Episode 170: The Fifth Lateran Council (1512-1517)

* Episode 173: The First Vatican Council (1869-1870)

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#173 - The First Vatican Council (1869-1870) Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils by examining the Catholic Church’s 20th council - the First Vatican Council. After 306 years, why did the Church decide to call another council? What were the major social factors going on at the time? And why was this council particularly controversial?

SOCIAL LINKS

* Papal Encyclicals: Decrees of the First Vatican Council

SOURCES:

* New Advent: Vatican Council

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

* Video: General Councils 14: Vatican I - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas

* Episode 104: The Nuclear Football

* Episode 111: Papal Infallibility

* Episode 65: From Doctrine to Dogma

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

* Episode 153: The Second Council of Constantinople (553)

* Episode 155: The Third Council of Constantinople (680-681)

* Episode 157: Reflections on the First Seven Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 158: The Fourth Council of Constantinople (869-870)

* Episode 167: The Avignon Papacy & The Great Western Schism

* Episode 168: The Council of Constance (1414-1418)

* Episode 170: The Fifth Lateran Council (1512-1517)

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#172 - The Council of Trent (1545-1563) Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

In continuation of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard talks about the Catholic Church’s response to the Protestant revolution: the Council of Trent and the Counter Reformation. What social revolutions were at play that delayed this council from starting? What decisions were made at this 19th ecumenical council? And how did the church continue the counter-reformation after its conclusion?

SOCIAL LINKS

* Papal Encyclicals: The General Council of Trent

SOURCES:

* New Advent: The Council of Trent

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

* Video: General Councils 13: Lateran V and Trent - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas

* 95 Theses - Martin Luther

* Papal Encyclicals Online: Exsurge Domine - Condemning the Errors of Martin Luther - Pope Leo X - 1520

* Papal Encyclicals Online: Decet Romanum Pontificem - Papal Bull of Excommunication of Martin Luther and his followers - Pope Leo X - 1521

* Episode 56: Indulgences - The Most Misunderstood Catholic Doctrine

* Episode 120: The Deuterocanonicals and Protestant Budget Bibles

* Episode 65: From Doctrine to Dogma

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

* Episode 153: The Second Council of Constantinople (553)

* Episode 155: The Third Council of Constantinople (680-681)

* Episode 157: Reflections on the First Seven Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 158: The Fourth Council of Constantinople (869-870)

* Episode 167: The Avignon Papacy & The Great Western Schism

* Episode 168: The Council of Constance (1414-1418)

* Episode 170: The Fifth Lateran Council (1512-1517)

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#171 - The Protestant Revolution Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils by exploring the uprising against the Catholic Church in Europe known as the Protestant Reformation. But was it really a reformation, or was it a revolution? Who were the key players in this movement, and did the movement ultimately succeed in its goals?

SOCIAL LINKS

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

SOURCES:

* Video: General Councils 13: Lateran V and Trent - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas

* 95 Theses - Martin Luther

* Papal Encyclicals Online: Exsurge Domine - Condemning the Errors of Martin Luther - Pope Leo X - 1520

* Papal Encyclicals Online: Decet Romanum Pontificem - Papal Bull of Excommunication of Martin Luther and his followers - Pope Leo X - 1521

* Episode 56: Indulgences - The Most Misunderstood Catholic Doctrine

* Episode 120: The Deuterocanonicals and Protestant Budget Bibles

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

* Episode 153: The Second Council of Constantinople (553)

* Episode 155: The Third Council of Constantinople (680-681)

* Episode 157: Reflections on the First Seven Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 158: The Fourth Council of Constantinople (869-870)

* Episode 167: The Avignon Papacy & The Great Western Schism

* Episode 168: The Council of Constance (1414-1418)

* Episode 170: The Fifth Lateran Council (1512-1517)

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#170 - The Fifth Lateran Council (1512-1517) Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils by The Fifth Lateran Council. How did the Age of Discovery influence the Church? What were some of the major problems scandalizing the Catholic faith? And how did the Church’s 18th ecumenical council prove to be too little too late?

SOCIAL LINKS

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

SOURCES:

* Video: General Councils 12: The Councils of Lyons II & Florence - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas

* Papal Encyclicals Online: The Fifth Lateran Council

* Catholic Encyclopedia: The Fifth Lateran Council

* Episode 112: Not all Popes are Saints

* Showtime Series - The Borgias

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

* Episode 153: The Second Council of Constantinople (553)

* Episode 155: The Third Council of Constantinople (680-681)

* Episode 157: Reflections on the First Seven Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 158: The Fourth Council of Constantinople (869-870)

* Episode 167: The Avignon Papacy & The Great Western Schism

* Episode 168: The Council of Constance (1414-1418)

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#169 - The Council of Florence (1431-1445) Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

In continuation of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard talks about the Council of Florence, which occurred in Basel, Ferrara, Florence, and Rome. What began as an attempt to thwart papal supremacy led to one of the most potentially significant councils in history as the Eastern Greek Church united with the Western Latin Church. Would that unity survive?

SOCIAL LINKS

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

SOURCES:

* Video: General Councils 12: The Councils of Lyons II & Florence - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas

* Papal Encyclicals Online: The Council of Florence

* Catholic Encyclopedia: The Council of Florence

* Ancient Faith Radio: Bishops-Part 42: The Council of Florence (Orthodox Source)

* Laetentur Caeli

* Episode 63: Not all Catholics are Roman Catholic

* Shameless Popery: Why I’m not Orthodox

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

* Episode 153: The Second Council of Constantinople (553)

* Episode 155: The Third Council of Constantinople (680-681)

* Episode 157: Reflections on the First Seven Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 158: The Fourth Council of Constantinople (869-870)

* Episode 167: The Avignon Papacy & The Great Western Schism

* Episode 168: The Council of Constance (1414-1418)

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#168 - The Council of Constance (1414-1418) Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Council by examining the 16th Council - the Council of Constance, which met to solve the dilemma of three rival popes. How did the council solve the Great Western Schism, and how did it address some of the forerunners of Protestantism?

SOCIAL LINKS

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

SOURCES:

* Video: General Councils 11: The Council of Constance - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas

* Papal Encyclicals Online: The Council of Constance (1414-18)

* Catholic Encyclopedia: The Council of Constance

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

* Episode 153: The Second Council of Constantinople (553)

* Episode 155: The Third Council of Constantinople (680-681)

* Episode 157: Reflections on the First Seven Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 158: The Fourth Council of Constantinople (869-870)

* Episode 167: The Avignon Papacy & The Great Western Schism

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#167 - The Avignon Papacy & the Great Western Schism Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical by examining the history between the Councils of Vienne and Constance. Why did the papacy move from Rome to Avignon? Who were the seven French Popes that make up the Avignon Papacy? And how did the return of the papacy to Rome lead to the Great Western Schism where three men claimed to be the rightful Pope?

SOCIAL LINKS