Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/549

 The Popes and tlte Councils 5 1 3 obstacles, or similar ones, shall exist throughout the whole nation. In that case, the council may be summoned to some appropriate neighboring place, within the bounds of another nation. To this the prelates, and others, who are wont to be summoned to a council, must betake themselves as if that place had been designated from the first. Such change of place, or shortening of the period, the supreme pontiff is required legitimately and solemnly to publish and announce one year before the expiration of the term fixed, that the said persons may be able to come together, for the celebra- tion of the council, within the term specified. . . .* b the Council of Constance The council found itself unable to remedy the abuses unaided, so it drew up the following list of evils which the new pope was to be required to abolish, in coopera- tion with the deputies chosen by the council. This list indicates what were considered the worst defects of the existing system. The holy council of Constance decrees and ordains that 216. List of the supreme pontiff who shall next, by the grace of God, assume office, shall, in conjunction with this holy council, or with the deputies of the several " nations," 2 reform the Church, before the council dissolves, in head and members, as well as the Roman curia, in accordance with justice and the proper organization of the Church, in all the respects enumerated below, and which are submitted by the " nations " as requiring reform : The number, character, and nationality of the lords car- dinals. The reservations [of benefices] made by the apostolic see. 1 The succeeding paragraphs relate to various means for avoiding future schism, and provide an oath to be taken by the pope on his election. 2 The council had organized itself, like the universities of the times, according to nations, which served the purpose of committees. (October,