Synod of Rome (963)

The Synod of Rome (963) was a possibly uncanonical synod held in St. Peter’s Basilica from 6 November until 4 December 963, under the authority of the Holy Roman Emperor, Otto I to depose Pope John XII. The events of the synod were recorded by Liutprand of Cremona.

In the middle of 963, the Pope, John XII had been in communication with the Holy Roman Emperor, Otto I regarding the emperor’s concerns over John’s pontificate, and the pope’s meddling in the conflict between Otto and Berengar II, King of Italy. When Otto learned that John had allowed Berengar’s son Adalbert into Rome, he marched on the city. After defending Rome and driving Otto back to the Tiber River, John fled the city and took refuge in Tibur. Otto then entered Rome on 2 November 963. After forcing the clergy and nobles to swear that they would not ordain or even elect a pope without his or his son’s consent, on 6 November 963 Otto convened a synod in St. Peter’s for the purpose of deposing John XII.

After convening the synod, Otto appointed John, Bishop of Narni and John, the Cardinal-Deacon to act as the pope’s accusers, while Liutprand of Cremona, the emperor’s secretary, responded to the Romans on behalf of the emperor. Firstly, John XII was called forth to present himself before the council. As he was not present, the emperor Otto declared: “It appears to us just that the accusations should be set forth one by one; then what we should do can be decided on by common advice.” At this point John of Narni declared that he had seen him ordain a deacon in a stable, and out of the appointed times. Another cardinal-priest bore witness that he had seen him celebrate Mass without communicating. Others accused him of murder and perjury, of sacrilege, of incest with members of his own family, including his sisters. They accused him of simony, of consecrating a ten-year-old child as Bishop of Todi, of converting the Lateran Palace into a brothel, of hunting, of mutilating men, of arson and of wearing armour. Finally, they declared that he drank a toast to the Devil, and while playing at dice invoked the name of Jupiter, Venus and other pagan gods.

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