Papal Primacy vs. Collegiality?

[ajpirc]

With Papal Primacy, the Pope has supreme authority over the entire Church including over the other bishops.

With Collegiality, the College of Bishops has supreme authority over the entire Church as long as it is in communion with the Pope.

Was Papal Primacy one of the reasons why the Eastern Orthodox seperated from the Church? They believe in Collegiality because the only authority for them comes from the college of bishops convened at a council or synod, correct? This is why the Pope is only seen as Primus inter pares, correct?

 

[Hesychios]

With Papal Primacy, the Pope has supreme authority over the entire Church including over the other bishops.

With Collegiality, the College of Bishops has supreme authority over the entire Church as long as it is in communion with the Pope.

Well, you are already qualifying the terms in ways no scholar would. That rule only applies in Ultramontanist theory.

More properly “Conciliarity refers to the adherence of various Christian communities to the authority of ecumenical councils and to synodal church government.”

As far as the term “Primacy”, it exists at all levels of the church: among bishops, among priests around an altar, among deacons and even among altar servers. It’s integral to how the church works.

Was Papal Primacy one of the reasons why the Eastern Orthodox seperated from the Church?

The Roman Catholic church separated from Holy Orthodoxy. At the time there was no Pope, so you would have to ask Roman Catholics why they did that when they did.

 

[dvdjs]

The Roman Catholic church separated from Holy Orthodoxy. At the time there was no Pope, so you would have to ask Roman Catholics why they did that when they did.

What are you talking about? 1054? There was an excommunicated of the EP and his followers, but that was not a separation from Orthodoxy. Communion was not broken with other Orthodox churches.

 

[Little_One0307]

The Roman Catholic church separated from Holy Orthodoxy. At the time there was no Pope, so you would have to ask Roman Catholics why they did that when they did.

Actually, I am a bit confused as to the Catholic Church breaking off from the Holy Orthodoxy. The Church was called Catholic and the general practice was to follow the Pope no matter who he was, [albeit there have been some questionable popes at times.]. The papacy is unbroken continues from Apostolic Tradition. The Church has never been without a pope. Else it could not be Apostolic then.

Can you please elaborate on this so I can understand. Thanks.

God bless.

 

[JRKH]

With Papal Primacy, the Pope has supreme authority over the entire Church including over the other bishops.

With Collegiality, the College of Bishops has supreme authority over the entire Church as long as it is in communion with the Pope.

Was Papal Primacy one of the reasons why the Eastern Orthodox seperated from the Church? They believe in Collegiality because the only authority for them comes from the college of bishops convened at a council or synod, correct? This is why the Pope is only seen as Primus inter pares, correct?

The East West Schism is deep and complicated. Yes the precise role and authority of the Bishop of Rome was one of the causes, but only one.

As to the idea of Papal primacy and Collegiality, the two concepts need not be seen as standing in opposition to one another when properly understood and employed with humility under the guidance to the Holy Spirit and in Christ’s Holy Church.

Peace
James

 

[Little_One0307]

Hi,

I have found some things that may be of help here.

Papal primacy still exists in the Church even with the “collegiality of Bishops.”

Here are some sources from the CCC.

882 The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter’s successor, “is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful.” “For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered.”

883 “The college or body of bishops has no authority unless united with the Roman Pontiff, Peter’s successor, as its head.” As such, this college has “supreme and full authority over the universal Church; but this power cannot be exercised without the agreement of the Roman Pontiff.”

884 “The college of bishops exercises power over the universal Church in a solemn manner in an ecumenical council.” But “there never is an ecumenical council which is not confirmed or at least recognized as such by Peter’s successor.”

There are several relevant Canons in the Code of Canon Law. If you are interested they are Canons 331, 333, 337, 338, 341

I find Canon 340 very interesting that if the Holy See becomes vacant during an ecumenical council then the council must stop until a New Pope has been elected and the new pope says whether the council can be continued or if it is to be dissolved. Sounds like papal primacy to me.

The College of Bishops cannot act without the Pope, it still adheres to papal primacy in all things.

God bless.