ABSTRACT
Many of them, fearing for the Church which they loved and distinguished it from its corrupt officials, protested to the popes and urged vigorous reforms. John Gerson, rector of the University of Paris, proposed a return to the 'conciliar theory' that the general council was the supreme authority in the Church, rather than the pope, and urged the calling of such a council. The council decided to discuss unity first, and then reform and then heresy. The Council of Constance agreed that drastic reforms were needed within the Church. But after Eugenius vainly tried to disband it, the council organized itself. But the advocates of conciliar supremacy seemed willing to risk another schism to force their cause. Although some smaller sects in the East adhered to Rome, the papacy had lost its best chance to unite with it the great Orthodox Church of the East.
