29%
Confidence
Belief overview
Rejection of the pope's universal primacy
Orthodoxy rejects the Roman Catholic formulation of universal papal primacy.
1
Supportive
3
Contrary
1
Neutral
What it is: The Orthodox Church does not accept the Roman Catholic formulation according to which the bishop of Rome holds immediate universal jurisdiction over the whole Church.
How the religion understands it: The tradition recognizes the ancient honorary primacy of Rome in the context of the first millennium, but understands ecclesial authority in a conciliar and synodal rather than monarchic universal way.
Context and comparison: This belief is especially distinctive in dialogue between Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, and is one of the most important theological and historical issues between the two traditions.
Documentary evidence
Supportive
Canon 34 of the Apostolic Canons
Ancient text on coordination among bishops.
Reference: Canon 34 of the Apostolic Canons.
Content: The text deals with the relationship between the first among the bishops and the others, emphasizing consensus and order.
Use in debate: It is often cited in discussions about primacy and conciliarity in the Eastern tradition.
Contrary
John 21:15-17
Peter receives a pastoral charge.
Reference: John 21:15-17.
Content: Jesus tells Peter to shepherd his sheep.
Use in debate: It is acknowledged in the Orthodox tradition, but read in relation to the apostolic whole and not as isolated proof of universal jurisdiction.
Lumen Gentium 8
Vatican II text on the Church of Christ subsisting in the Catholic Church.
Lumen Gentium 8 states that the Church of Christ subsists in the Catholic Church, governed by the successor of Peter and the bishops in communion with him. The text is crucial for modern Catholic ecclesiology because it combines affirmation of fullness with recognition of elements of sanctification outside the visible boundaries of Roman communion.
Matthew 16:18-19
Petrine text interpreted differently from the Roman papal formulation.
Reference: Matthew 16:18-19.
Content: Jesus speaks to Peter about the rock, the Church, and the keys of the Kingdom.
Use in debate: The Orthodox tradition receives it as an important text, but does not interpret it in the same way as the Roman Catholic formulation of universal primacy.
Neutral
Acts 15:1-29
Apostolic council of Jerusalem.
Reference: Acts 15:1-29.
Content: The Church resolves a controversial question through apostolic and communal deliberation.
Use in debate: It is a key text for the idea of conciliarity and synodal decision.