The Separation of Church and State The pope who called the Lateran Council was Theodore, but he died before the council was convened; the new pope, Martin, would preside over the council; the year was 649. Never before was an ecumenical council called without being convened by the Roman Emperor. This was a council was called by the bishop in Rome without the authority of the emperor in Constantinople. The immediate issue was that of Monothelitism, but for purposes of this post the issue is secondary. It is sufficient to note that this doctrine was developed as some sort of middle ground regarding the nature of Christ, an issue that divided the Church in the East. The emperor, looking for ways to reunite the empire, sought support for a compromise position – hence, this doctrine, which satisfied almost no one.