Sisenand convokes the Fourth Council of Toledo in 633, held at the church of Saint Leocadia.
He succeeds in increasing the power of the king.
He has himself confirmed in his election to the kingship and has Suintila declared a tyrant for his many crimes, his iniquity, and his accumulation of wealth at the expense of the poor.
He also removes all taxes on the clergy.
The council does not concede any hereditary right to the king, however.
The king will be elected of the bishops and magnates.
The position and deference granted to the king is remarkable.
The church is free and independent, yet bound in solemn allegiance to the acknowledged king: nothing is said of allegiance to the bishop of Rome.
The council, probably under the presidency of the noted Isidore of Seville, regulates many matters of discipline, decrees uniformity of liturgy throughout the Visigothic kingdom and takes stringent measures against baptized Jews who have relapsed into their former faith.
Sisenand renews Sisebut's decrees of 612-20.
Converts are forced to adhere strictly to Christianity and are forbidden to socialize with unbaptized Jews.
At this council, begun December 5, 633, all the bishops of Iberian Kingdoms are in attendance.
Isidore, though far advanced in years, presides over its deliberations, and is the originator of most of its enactments.
The council probably expresses with tolerable accuracy the mind and influence of Isidore, who, widely influential throughout Spain, has fostered unity between orthodox Christian Romans and Arian Goths.
A strong proponent of learning and culture, he promotes the education of clergy.
It is at the Fourth National Council of Toledo and through Isidore’s influence that a decree is promulgated commanding and requiring all bishops to establish seminaries in their Cathedral Cities, along the lines of the school associated with Isidore already existing at Seville.
Within his own jurisdiction, he has availed himself of the resources of education to counteract the growing influence of Gothic barbarism.
His is the quickening spirit that animated the educational movement of which Seville is the center.
The study of Greek and Hebrew as well as the liberal arts is prescribed.
Interest in law and medicine is also encouraged.
Through the authority of the fourth council, this policy of education is made obligatory upon all the bishops of the kingdom.
