The First Vatican Council

Pope Pius IX

• Longest reigning elected pope in the history of the Catholic Church

• Orchestrated Council on June. 29, 1868• Settled dispute between Dominicans and

Franciscans over Immaculate conception• Favoured the Franciscans view• This raised the topic of papal infallibility

The Council• Dec. 8, 1869 - Oct.20, 1870• The council was started to deal with rationalism, materialism &

liberalism• Approx. 700 Fathers met• 86 general congregations & 4 public sessions• Discussed contemporary philosophical theories• Connection between faith & science• 51 proposed degrees• Discussed principles of Christian religion (Catechism) Adjourned

due to occupation of Roman by troops of Victor Emmanuel II• Discussion of two constitutions• Dogmatic Constitution On The Catholic Faith and First Dogmatic

Constitution on the Church of Christ

Papal Infallibility • Dogma of Catholic Church• Discussion about whether the Pope can make

biblical decisions without the Bishop’s consent• One of four doctrines of Catholic faith• Bishops divided into three groups• One group argued all papal teachings were

infallible • Another group was interested in strengthening

papal authority • Minority of bishops opposed the definition of

papal infallibility

Dei Filius

• Beginning of dogmatic constitution of Catholic church• Teaching of The Catholic Church• Teaching of God, revelation, faith & reason• Adopted on April 24, 1870• Opening words "Sancta Romana Catholica Ecclesia"

Pastor Aeternus• Defines 4 doctrines of the Catholic faith• Doctrines concerning faith or morals to be

held by the whole Church• Dogmatic constitution states that the Pope

has: "full and supreme power of jurisdiction over the whole Church“

• Some bishops (mostly German) formed the Old Catholic Church as a form of protest

Suspension of the Council

• Outbreak of Franco-Prussian War interrupted council• Suspended following capture of Rome• German advance and capture of Emperor• Piedmontese troops occupied Rome.• France could not protect Pope• Never resumed• Never officially closed

Possible Relocating & Reopening of Council

• After the council closed, Pope Pius IX considered leaving Rome

• Thought of reopening the council elsewhere

• This council marked the beginning of the Ultramontanism movement

• In 1962, A second Vatican Council was formed

Sources• "First Vatican Council." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Oct.

2013. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.• "First Vatican Council (Roman Catholic History)." Encyclopedia

Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.

• "First Vatican Council." Kids.Net.Au. N.p., 30 Oct. 2013. Web. 30 Oct. 2013

• "Pius IX (Vatican I)." Pius IX (Vatican I). N.p., 30 Oct. 2013. Web. 30 Oct. 2013

• "INTRODUCTION." Decrees of the First Vatican Council (20ecume1.htm). N.p., 31 Oct. 2013. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.