Sixth Council of Toledo facts for kids

The Sixth Council of Toledo was an important meeting held a long time ago in a city called Toledo, in what is now Spain. It was the second big meeting called by King Chintila. This council started on January 9, 638, in a church named St. Leocadia.

Fifty-three bishops (important church leaders) attended this meeting. Some bishops from a region called Narbonensis joined this time. They hadn't been able to come to the previous council because of political reasons. This meant that the Sixth Council was a gathering of the entire church from both Spain and a part of France (called Gallia back then).

The main goals of this council were to confirm the decisions made at the Fifth Council in 636. They also wanted to help bring peace back inside the kingdom.

What Was Discussed at the Council?

The council made 19 important rules, called canons. Four of these rules were about politics and the king. The other rules covered many different topics. These included rules for Jews, monks, people doing penance (showing they were sorry), and freedmen (people who used to be slaves but were now free). They also discussed rules for holy orders (church positions), church property, and special gifts given to the church.

Protecting the King

The council strongly supported the king and his family. They confirmed rules from the Fifth Council that aimed to keep the king safe.

• Punishment for Plotting: If anyone ran away to another country and then planned against the king, or put him in danger, they would be "excommunicated." This meant they were kicked out of the church.
• Against Conspiracies: The council also said that anyone who attacked the king or tried to take his throne would be cursed (called "anathema").
• Justice for the King: If a king was killed, his successor (the next king) would be dishonored if they didn't punish the people who killed the previous king.

Rules for the Church

The council also made rules about church property. They confirmed that any property given to the church would belong to the church forever. They also set punishments for "simony." Simony is when people try to buy or sell church positions or holy things, which was not allowed.

Measures Against Jews

Finally, the council took some actions against the Jewish people. It seems they did this to please the pope, who had asked for these measures in a letter.

Sources

• Thompson, E. A. (1969) The Goths in Spain. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
• Concilium Toletanum sextum, minutes from the Collectio Hispana Gallica Augustodunensis (Vat. lat. 1341)

See also

In Spanish: VI Concilio de Toledo para niños