„Einheit und Einigung“ der Kirche, die „Mehrheit“ der Gläubigen und eine „ecclesia mathematica“ nach einigen neu edierten Texten des Nikolaus von Kues

Abstract

Abstract „Unity and Unification“ of the church, the „majority“ of believers and „ecclesia mathematica“ in the light of newly edited texts by Nikolaus of Cusa.The Heidelberg Edition of Opera Omnia presents vol. XV/1, Opuscula III, fasc. 1. At the council of Basle, while writing his most important political work De concordantia catholica, Nicolaus of Cusa published also some reflections on the reductio of the „Bohemians“ (i.e. the Hussites) regarding the „utraquist“ communion. Nicolaus suggests, according to patristic models by Cyprian and Augustin, to accept a „majority“ of the papal church only in strict connection with the cathedra Petri that guaranteed the truth of faith. Firstly, this idea of a majority is considered. Secondly, ecclesia mathematica or concilium mathematicum will be analysed: In the bitter conflict on Franciscan poverty at the beginning of the 14th century, pope John XXII himself characterized the dominium (ownership) of the Roman church as merely nudum verbale et mathematicum.