Council of Lateran

The Council of Lateran refers to a series of important church meetings held in Rome, notably the First Lateran Council in 1123 and the Fourth in 1215. These councils aimed to address significant issues within the Catholic Church, such as reforming church practices, establishing doctrines, and addressing conflicts between church and state. The Fourth Lateran Council, in particular, is known for defining key beliefs about the Eucharist, promoting the idea of the importance of confession, and setting guidelines for clergy conduct. These councils helped shape the future direction of the Church and its influence in medieval society.