Oration “Si ea quae justa” of Enea Silvio Piccolomini 1438, Basel. Edited and translated by Michael von Cotta-Schönberg. 6th version. (Orations of Enea Silvio Piccolomini / Pope Pius II; 4)

Published as part of project Edition and Translation of the Orations of Enea Silvio Piccolomini / Pope Pius IIIn 1438, the Council of Basel undertook to systematically confer ecclesiastical offices and benefices instead of the Pope whom it had deposed. It therefore became necessary to establish proper procedures, especially for the appointment of bishops. The Committee of Twelve drafted a decree according to which the commissioners charged with hearing testimonies concerning the candidates for episcopal office should report back to Council under oath. Their motion was resisted and obstructed by many Council Fathers, and therefore Piccolomini took it upon himself to defend the motion in a speech to the General Congregation. He was not successful and the proposed decree was not passed