Why Catholic?

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

SOURCES:

* The Council of Vienne - Papal Encyclicals Online

* Second Council of Vienne - New Advent

* Video: General Councils 10: Lyons I and Vienne - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas

* Unam Santam - Pope Boniface VIII

* The Types of Papal Documents and Weight of Each

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 163: The Fourth Lateran Council (1215)

* Episode 164: The First Council of Lyon (1245)

* Episode 165: The Second Council of Lyon (1274)

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#165 - The Second Council of Lyon (1274) Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

It’s the end of the Great Schism between the Western Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church! Well… sort of. Justin Hibbard continues our series on the Catholic Church’s 14th ecumenical council - the Second council of Lyon, where Pope Gregory X tackled ending the Great Schism, the crusades, papal election reform, and a few other reforms.

SOCIAL LINKS

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

SOURCES:

* The Second Council of Lyons. - Papal Encyclicals Online

* Second Council of Lyons - New Advent

* Episode #114 - The History of Papal Elections

* Episode #63 - Not All Catholics are Roman Catholic

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 163: The Fourth Lateran Council (1215)

* Episode 164: The First Council of Lyon (1245)

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#164 - The First Council of Lyon (1245) Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Council by examining the 13th general council. How did an unruly emperor lead to this council and force it take take place in France?

SOCIAL LINKS

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

SOURCES:

* First Council of Lyons - 1245 - Papal Encyclicals Online

* First Council of Lyons (1243) - New Advent

* Video: General Councils 10: Lyons I and Vienne - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas

* Episode #56 - Indulgences: the Most Misunderstood Catholic Doctrine

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 163: The Fourth Lateran Council (1215)

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#163 - The Fourth Lateran Council (1215) Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils with an examination of the Catholic Church’s 12th council - the Fourth Lateran Council. What made this different than the other three Lateran councils that occurred in rapid succession, and why is it considered the most influential council of the Middle Ages and one of the most impactful in Church history?

SOCIAL LINKS

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

SOURCES:

* Fourth Lateran Council 1179 A.D. - Papal Encyclicals Online

* Fourth Lateran Council - New Advent

* Video: General Councils 9: Lateran 1-4 - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas

* The Pillar Sunday School: Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

* Episode #58 - No Salvation Outside the Church

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)

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#162 - The Third Lateran Council (1179) Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils by explaining the Catholic Church’s 11th council - the Third Lateran Council. How did a 20-year schism made up of 4 antipopes lead to this council, and what reforms did this council seek to implement for both the Church and general society?

SOCIAL LINKS

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

SOURCES:

* Third Lateran Council 1179 A.D. - Papal Encyclicals Online

* Third Lateran Council - New Advent

* Video: General Councils 9: Lateran 1-4 - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas

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)

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#161 - The Second Lateran Council (1139) Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

In continuation of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils, Justin Hibbard talks about the Second Lateran Council - the Catholic Church’s 10th general council. How did a fake pope prompt this council, and what were the decisions that were made in the three short days of this council’s duration?

SOCIAL LINKS

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

SOURCES:

* Second Lateran Council 1123 A.D. - Papal Encyclicals Online

* Second Lateran Council - New Advent

* Second Lateran Council: History & Text - EWTN

* Video: General Councils 9: Lateran 1-4 - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas

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)

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#160 - The First Lateran Council (1123) Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Council with the First Lateran Council - the first general council to occur in the West and the first general council with the Pope as presider (and even in attendance). In this episode you’ll learn about the investiture controversy and the tension between the government and the church that led to a further separation of church and state.

SOCIAL LINKS

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

SOURCES:

* First Lateran Council 1123 A.D. - Papal Encyclicals Online

* First Lateran Council - New Advent

* Commentary on the First Lateran Council - Daniel Castellano

* Video: General Councils 9: Lateran 1-4 - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas

* Didactus Papae

* Episode 125 - The Blessing and Curse of Chapter and Verse

* Episode 103 - Kings to Fight Our Battles

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)

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#159 - The Great Schism Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils by talking about the major fallout between the Eastern and Western Church in 1054. How did this Great Schism change the trajectory of future ecumenical council? And were the events of 1054 truly earth shattering, or was is this event overblown by historians.

SOCIAL LINKS

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

SOURCES:

* The History of Byzantium: The Great Schism

* Video: General Councils 8: Constantinople IV - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas

* New Advent: The Eastern Schism

* Episode 112: Not All Popes are Saints

* Episode 113: The Great Popes

* Episode 137: The Importance of Grieving for Pope Francis

* Episode 63: Not All Catholics are Roman Catholic

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)

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

#158 - The Fourth Council of Constantinople (869-870) Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

In continuation of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils, Justin Hibbard talks about the eighth ecumenical council - the fourth council of Constantinople. Learn how this council marked a turning point both in church councils and in church history between the East and the West.

SOCIAL LINKS

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

SOURCES:

* Papal Encyclicals Online: Fourth Council of Constantinople

* New Advent: Fourth Council of Constantinople

* Video: General Councils 8: Constantinople IV - Fr Timothy Matkin - St Francis Dallas (Anglican source)

* Video: Against Photius on the Filioque 1: Scholastic Answers (Catholic source)

* Audio: Bishops - Part 30: The Tumultuous 9th Century Part 1 (Orthodox source)

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

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

#157 - Reflections on the First Seven Ecumenical Councils Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

In continuation of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils, Justin Hibbard takes time to reflect on the first seven. These seven are not only recognized by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches but many Protestant groups recognize them as well. In this episode, Justin gives a brief overview of the first seven councils and challenges Orthodox and Protestant claims about these councils.

SOCIAL LINKS

* Overtime with Bill Maher: Ben Shapiro, Tim Alberta (HBO)

SOURCES:

* Most Evangelicals Believe Some Heresy

* What Does It Mean That the First Seven Church Councils Were Ecumenical? (Reformed Protestant source)

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

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