papal primacy
Quick Summary
Papal primacy is the doctrine that the bishop of Rome, the pope, holds supreme authority over the entire Christian church. This belief is rooted in the Petrine theory, which interprets biblical passages, particularly Matthew 16:18-19, as Christ granting Peter unique authority, which is then passed down to his successors, the popes.1
Historically, the title of pope was initially used for any bishop, but by the 9th century, it was reserved for the bishop of Rome. Early Church Fathers, such as Leo I, began to articulate the theoretical basis for papal authority, viewing the pope as Peter's representative with monarchical powers. This doctrine was further developed through the Middle Ages and formally defined at the First Vatican Council in 1870, which declared the pope's judicial supremacy and infallibility in matters of faith and morals when speaking ex cathedra. While Vatican II affirmed papal primacy and infallibility, it also emphasized the authority of bishops as successors to the apostles, forming a college with the pope as its head.234
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ChristianityEastern OrthodoxyEastern Orthodoxy interprets the primacy of St. Peter and therefore that of the pope similarly, denying the right of the pope to speak and act for the entire church by himself, without a church council and without his episcopal colleagues. Because of this polity, Eastern Orthodoxy has identified itself…
Read MoreEastern Orthodoxy interprets the primacy of St. Peter and therefore that of the pope similarly, denying the right of the pope to speak and act for the entire church by himself, without a church council and without his episcopal colleagues. Because of this polity, Eastern Orthodoxy has identified itself…
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Eastern OrthodoxyRelations with the Western church…death and heaven), and the Roman primacy. Political desperation and the fear of facing the Turks again, without Western support, was the decisive factor that caused them to place their signatures of approval on the Decree of Union, also known as the Union of Florence (July 6, 1439). The metropolitan…
Read More…death and heaven), and the Roman primacy. Political desperation and the fear of facing the Turks again, without Western support, was the decisive factor that caused them to place their signatures of approval on the Decree of Union, also known as the Union of Florence (July 6, 1439). The metropolitan…
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Roman CatholicismThe reign of Gregory VII…and his staunch advocacy of papal primacy. Gregory’s actions were shaped more than anything by his devotion to St. Peter and his belief that the pope was Peter’s successor. His legislation mandating clerical celibacy was issued partly because his immediate predecessors had advocated it; he was further motivated by his…
Read More…and his staunch advocacy of papal primacy. Gregory’s actions were shaped more than anything by his devotion to St. Peter and his belief that the pope was Peter’s successor. His legislation mandating clerical celibacy was issued partly because his immediate predecessors had advocated it; he was further motivated by his…
Read More- Roman CatholicismThe papal office
Basic to the claim of primacy is the Petrine theory, according to which Christ promised the primacy to Peter alone and, after the Resurrection, actually conferred that role upon him (John 1:42 and 21:15 ff. and, especially, Matthew 16:18 ff.).
Read MoreBasic to the claim of primacy is the Petrine theory, according to which Christ promised the primacy to Peter alone and, after the Resurrection, actually conferred that role upon him (John 1:42 and 21:15 ff. and, especially, Matthew 16:18 ff.).
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- Council of Sardica
…development of the Roman bishop’s primacy as pope.
Read More…development of the Roman bishop’s primacy as pope.
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canon lawThe end of decretal lawPapal primacy was not only dogmatically affirmed against conciliarism (the view that councils are more authoritative than the pope) but was also juridically strengthened in the conduct and implementation of the council. The central position of the bishops was recovered, over against the decentralization that…
Read MorePapal primacy was not only dogmatically affirmed against conciliarism (the view that councils are more authoritative than the pope) but was also juridically strengthened in the conduct and implementation of the council. The central position of the bishops was recovered, over against the decentralization that…
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pope…basis of this doctrine of papal primacy is twofold, involving the place of St. Peter in the New Testament (in which there are various metaphors expressing Peter’s authority) and the place of the Roman church in history. The understanding of papal primacy developed as the church developed, two notable factors…
Read More…basis of this doctrine of papal primacy is twofold, involving the place of St. Peter in the New Testament (in which there are various metaphors expressing Peter’s authority) and the place of the Roman church in history. The understanding of papal primacy developed as the church developed, two notable factors…
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- conciliarism
…has greater authority than the pope and may, if necessary, depose him. Conciliarism had its roots in discussions of 12th- and 13th-century canonists who were attempting to set juridical limitations on the power of the papacy. The most radical forms of the conciliar theory in the Middle Ages were found…
Read More…has greater authority than the pope and may, if necessary, depose him. Conciliarism had its roots in discussions of 12th- and 13th-century canonists who were attempting to set juridical limitations on the power of the papacy. The most radical forms of the conciliar theory in the Middle Ages were found…
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Council of Constance…church is superior to the pope. It further decreed that frequent councils are essential for the proper government of the church. John XXIII was then captured and deposed. Gregory XII agreed to abdicate, provided that he was permitted officially to convoke the council and so assert the legitimacy of his…
Read More…church is superior to the pope. It further decreed that frequent councils are essential for the proper government of the church. John XXIII was then captured and deposed. Gregory XII agreed to abdicate, provided that he was permitted officially to convoke the council and so assert the legitimacy of his…
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