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"The canon of Scripture did not assume its present shape till the end of the fourth century. It was defined at the regional Councils of Carthage and Hippo and also by Pope Damasus and included the deuterocanonical books. It is worth noting, however, that, because these decisions were regional, none of them were dogmatically binding on the whole Church, though they clearly reflected the Sacred Tradition of the Church (which is why the Vulgate or Latin Bible--which was The Bible for the Catholic Church in the West for the next 1200 years looks the same as the Catholic Bible today)."

For readers, this is an oversimplification.

There were many translations of the Scriptures, already in the 3rd century. Tertullian testifies to a Latin translation of the whole Bible. St. Cyprian adhered to this early Latin version in all his works. Apparently, Africa adopted Latin in Liturgy and Scripture much earlier than did Rome.

Hippolytus of Rome compiled an early list of the New Testament, preserved in the Muratorian Fragment, the earliest known Christian Canon. The Muratorian Canon was compiled shortly after 155 AD in Rome.

By the late 4th century, there was much debate about the canonicity of certain texts and the excellence of others.

Amidst this crisis, a Spanish deacon becomes Bishop of Rome and calls the greatest linguist of his day to be his secretary, Jerome. Wishing to send missionaries to Europe armed with a translation of the Bible in the common tongue, Damasus commissions Jerome to create a new version of the Bible using the best original language texts of the day. Jerome begins his work on the Latin Vulgate.

Jerome's letters to Damasus testify to the debate regarding which texts to include in his new translation.

Damasus, wishing to settle the matter, calls a synod in Rome, at which Jerome is present, and issues a Decree. The Decree of Damasus is the first prescriptive Christian canon issued by an episcopal authority for the purpose of settling the debate for the entire Church.

The Decree is promulgated in 382 AD and received immediately in Africa at the Synods of Carthage and Hippo. The Canon used by the Catholic Church is that which was decreed by Pope Damasus I in 382 AD.

The Decree of Damasus may be found in, "The Faith of the Early Fathers, Vol. I," pg 406; Denzinger 179-180. For more on early versions of the Scriptures, Damasus & Jerome see, "Patrology," J. Quasten Vol. II pg 209ff & Vol. IV pg 273ff.

"Damasus, wishing to settle the matter, calls a synod in Rome, at which Jerome is present, and issues a Decree. The Decree of Damasus is the first prescriptive Christian canon issued by an episcopal authority for the purpose of settling the debate for the entire Church."

By 70 A.D most of the writings making up the New Testament were in circulation and accepted as inspired by the churches. By 100 A.D. all 27 writings were in active circulation in the churches and with the exception of Hebrews, II Peter II and II John James and Revelation were accepted as inspired and authoritative for the churches. All that the Councils did was settle the question of the authorship of the five and and the place James should have. The inspiration and authoritative nature of the writings had already been settled in the individual churches and did not need any imprimatur from any Council. The Holy Spirit had already witnessed that in the hearts of the Christians in the churches over the three centuries since the writings were given.

The individual churches had the scriptures necessary for salvation and for their maturity and did not need Holy Tradition + Oral Teachings + Teachings of the Venerable Fathers of the Church. Paul, in his last letter just before he was martyred around 67 A.D. says

2Ti 3:15 "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."