What is the term for a gathering of bishops in union with the pope?

• A. Synod
• B. General Assembly
• C. Council
• D. Ecumenical Council

Answer: (D)

An ecumenical council is a worldwide gathering of bishops who are in communion with the pope, called to discuss and settle matters of faith and church discipline for the whole Church. The term ecumenical comes from a Greek word meaning “the whole inhabited world,” signaling its universal scope. Because it brings bishops from across the Church under papal leadership, the decisions taken are considered authoritative for the entire Church. This distinguishes it from a synod, which is often regional or narrower in scope, and from a general council, which is a broad term but doesn’t by itself imply universal, papal-backed authority. Historical examples like the councils of Nicaea and Trent show how an ecumenical council defines doctrine for all.