The meaning of the Haec sancta: between theology, canon law and history

SEBASTIÁN PROVVIDENTE

Temas Medievales

CONICET

Año: 2012

0327-5094

While the enactment of Haec Sancta lay the foundation for a final resolution of the Schism, the explanation of the meaning of the decree has given rise to conflicting interpretations by historians, theologians, and canonists. As has been pointed out by a number of scholars, this arises from certain ambiguity in the wording of the text. This ambiguity would by no means be the product of careless writing but quite the opposite, it appears to have been carefully intended to reach certain degree of consensus between the different positions held at the Council. Nonetheless, it should be remembered that many of the divergent interpretations tend to be rooted in a priori theological or canonical criteria with a clear metahistorical content. Consequently, we will first try to explain how since the Vatican Council I and until the 1960?s some of these criteria have had significant influence on the main interpretations of the Haec sancta. Secondly, we will focus on the analysis of certain problems posed by one of the main lines of interpretation of the text, the so called Notstandigtheorie. Finally, we will try to state the importance of a methodological approach reappraising the judicial practices as a source for better understanding of the meaning of this decree. In the last part of this paper, an attempt will also be made at considering in greater detail the relationships between the consolidation of conciliar authority and the causae fidei inquisitional processess, particularly the one against Bohemian reformer J. Hus.