Mainz Congress

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The Mainz Congress took place in Mainz from March to April 1439. Because of differences of opinion at the Council of Basel , regarding the reunification of the Catholic and Greek Churches, there was a dispute between Pope Eugene IV and the Basel Council and the council split. Although the majority of the council members stayed in Basel and asked King Albrecht II for support, he and the German electors declared their neutrality in the conflict between Pope Eugene IV and the Council of Basel. At the Mainz Congress, Nikolaus von Kues discussed these points with the electors and bishops of the empire.

At the beginning, the representatives of the Basel Council negotiated exclusively with the electors. Only on March 25, 1439 did the envoy of Pope Eugene IV arrive to protest the negotiations. Envoys from the kings of France and Castile, as well as the Duke of Milan, who also spoke on behalf of Alfonso V of Aragon, as well as the electors and bishops of the Holy Roman Empire gave the congress the flair of a European congress. On March 26, there was a significant “Recognition of Mainz”, in which 26 reform decrees of the Council of Basel were recognized as binding by the Congress. With the exception of one decree, all important council decrees were recognized. One decree, which was not recognized, related to the modalities of the papal election and the oath to be taken by the Pope as well as the regulation of the succession of Eugene IV. Three decrees deserve special attention, namely (i) the holding of provincial synods, (ii ) the treatment of Jews and neophytes and (iii) in what form the Eucharist is to be received (with regard to the Hussites). With regard to the treatment of Jews listed in point (ii), the decisions of Basel were confirmed, namely that Jews are obliged to attend an annual sermon organized by the diocesan bishop for proselytizing, that they must be identified by clothing and that they are separate from Christians to live.

Despite the “recognition of Mainz”, support from King Albrecht II remained rather restrained. This can be explained by his interest in consolidating his position as King of Bohemia and King of Hungary, for which the Pope's help was definitely helpful.

When the Council of Basel was excommunicated shortly afterwards by the Pope, the Council responded to this step on June 24, 1439 with the removal of Eugen.

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