Basel Cathedral

Martin V

The Basel Cathedral is a church cathedral that met in 1431-1449 , first in Basel , Switzerland , and from 1448 in Lausanne .

The cathedral was convened by Pope Martin V in 1431 to reform the church, resolve the military conflict with the Hussites, and reunite the Western and Eastern churches. In fact, the cathedral became the scene of the struggle of the pope and the cathedral for supreme power. Even before the opening of the cathedral, Martin V died.

Basel Cathedral was held in an atmosphere of deep decline of the papacy , caused by the so-called Western schism , and the successes of the early Reformation movement. At the Basel Cathedral, a struggle began with the papacy of supporters of the movement, which defended the idea of ​​the supremacy of ecumenical councils over the power of the popes.

Basel Cathedral confirmed the decision of the Council of Constance ( 1414 - 1418 ) on the primacy of the ecumenical council over the pope, announced the abolition of a number of requisitions in favor of the papal curia (in particular, the annates were canceled), the regular convening of provincial councils and the freedom of church elections.

The victories of the Hussites in the Czech Republic forced the Basel Cathedral to compromise with the moderate Hussites - the " cups " (in 1436 the Basel compacts were concluded with them).

Pope Eugene IV (1431-1447), who did not recognize the decisions of the Basel Cathedral, announced its dissolution, and in 1438 convened a cathedral in Ferrara , which was transferred to Florence in 1439, in contrast to the Basel Cathedral.

Basel Cathedral in 1439 announced the deposition of Eugene IV and elected Pope under the name of Felix V (later recognized as the antipope ) of the Duke of Savoy Amedean VIII .

The transition to the side of Eugene IV of many sovereigns of Europe who had previously supported the Basel Cathedral, the weakening of the prestige of the cathedral, abandoned by most of its members, led to the defeat of supporters of the cathedral movement.

The cathedral, which was transferred to Lausanne in 1448, recognized the new pope, Nicholas V (1447-1455) in 1449, and announced its dissolution. The actions of the Basel Cathedral undermined the authority of the Catholic Church and set the stage for the Reformation of the 16th century.