Extraordinary Magisterium

Extraordinary means "out of the ordinary." When an Ecumenical (General) Council is convened, presided over, and approved by the pope, it is considered infallible, because it comes from the Extraordinary Magisterium. The Church has held a grand total of 21 councils in its history. These councils are a gathering of the world's cardinals and bishops, who ususally meet to resolve theological controversies-such as the divinity of Christ in the early days of the Church. These councils are culminated by a written letter that explains the faith, interprets Scripture, or settles topics of dispute. They never contradict the Bible, but instead apply biblical truths to contemporary times or better interpret a Church's core belief.

Here is a list and brief description of th Church's 21 councils:
-Nicea (325)-Established Church's beliefs, determined Jesus was not a man, but the Son of God.
-First Constantinople (381)- Determined that Holy Spirit was another aspect of God.
-Ephesus (431)- Condemned Nestorianism (belief that Jesus was part God/part man) as false. Called Mary the Mother of God.
-Chalcedon (451)- Established that Jesus was of a divine nature "truly God and truly man."
-2nd Constantinople (553) -Condemned the writings known as the "Three Chapters" (considered Nestorianistic)
-3rd Constantinople(681) -Established that Jesus has both a divine and human will
-2nd Nicea (787)- Allowed images of Christ, Mary, the angels, the cross, etc., to be displayed.
-4th Constantinople (870)- Symbolized the Great Schism (when Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics separated) as Council refused to recognize Patriarch of Constantinople
-1st Lateran (1123)- Eliminated secular political influence in bishop appointments. Made it Rome's decision.
-2nd Lateran (1139)- Resolved that Innocent II was true Pope, ending Church crisis, also officially banned marriage for priests, monks, nuns, etc.
-3rd Lateran (1179)- Created College of Cardinals, precautions to prevent another Schism.
-4th Lateran (1215)- Recognized transubstantiation (bread & wine's transformation into body & blood)
-1st Lyons (1245)- dealt with minor issues, most important was establishment of the Octave of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a Holy Day.
-2nd Lyons (1274)- Attempt to reunite the Eastern and Western churches after fall of Byzantine Empire
-Vienne (1312)- Withdrew papal support for the Knights Templar. Council's letter has been lost.
-Constance (1414-18)- This resolved a long and complicated controversy known as the "Western Schism," when there were 3 different men claiming to be Pope. The Church today only recognizes the council after 1415, when the true pope called the cardinals and bishops together.
-Basel-Ferrara-Florence (1431-45)- Part of Conciliar Movement, when Pope's authority was challenged by the ecumenical council. During this time, the pope was pressured to call councils every seven years (Basel, Ferrara, and Florence). Council of Florence reestablished the Pope's authority.
-5th Lateran (1512-17)- Dealt with church discipline issues, but teachings were not recognized by kings of Europe so it went largely ignored.
-Trent (1545-63)- One of the most important of any ecumenical council. Declared Protestant teachings to be false and recognized Sacred Tradition along with Sacred Scripture and the sacraments. Clarified areas of Protestant dispute.
-1st Vatican (1870)- Officially recognized the concept of papal infallibility
-2nd Vatican (1962-65)- Created the sum of all Catholic beliefs into the Catechism.

The decrees from these councils are considered part of the Extraordinary Magisterium. The other part consists of infallible teachings known as Ex Cathedra pronouncements from the pope. Cathedra is Latin for "from the chair." The chair is a symbolic tie back to the days of the Roman Empire,when the Caesar and his governors sat on a chair to make public decisions and announcements. When the pope makes ex cathedra teachings, he exercising his authority as the Supreme Teacher.