Worcester, Councils of

Worcester, Councils Of (Concilium Vigorniense). Worcester is a city of England, capital of the county of the same name, situated on the left. bank of the Severn, twenty- five miles south-west of Birmingham. Under the name Caer Guorangon, it was one of the principal cities of the ancient Britons. Two ecclesiastical councils have been held there, as follows:

I. Was held about 601, by St. Austin, in which he endeavored, ineffectually, to persuade the bishops of the British Church to observe the festival of Easter, to administer baptism according to the custom of the Latin Church, and to yield obedience to the Church of Rome. See Mansi, Concil. 5:1610; Wilkins, Concil. 1:24.

II. Was held July 26, 1240, by the bishop Walter of Chanteloup. Fifty-nine constitutions were published, which, among other things, enjoin to baptize conditionally in doubtful cases, but always with trine immersion. Forbids to celebrate mass before having said prime, to plight troth except when fasting, and to observe any particular day or month for marriage. It is also ordered that any person desiring to confess to any other than his own priest, shall first modestly ask permission of the latter. See Mansi. Concil. 11:572; Wilkins, Concil. 1:665.