Lelio Giordano's Florilegium of Medieval Authors on Immediate and Mediate Jurisdiction
Lelio Giordano is not a very well-known figure from the Counter-Reformation. Despite his relative obscurity, his work on the powers of the Pope entitled A Treatise on the Greater and Capital Causes of Bishops to be Referred to the Pope, and on the Origin and Authority of the Roman See presents a flurry of arguments in favor of the authority of Rome. Among other arguments is Giordano's supposition that the Medievals teach that jurisdiction cannot be had except by the Pope. He says: "the external streams of this jurisdiction [over the Church] flow forth from the fountain of the Supreme Pontiff, and, as is said, immediately." Thus, Giordano argues that the Supreme Pontiff's role in the Church can never pass away, seeing as it alone has immediate jurisdiction in the Church. The bishops, having jurisdiction only according to what the Supreme Pontiff affords them, are reliant upon the Pope for any jurisdiction whatsoever. But the bishops must have jurisdiction in the Chu...