Collegiality and papal primacy

Abstract

This dissertation is about the exercise of authority in the Catholic Church. It is a study of the role of the papacy and whether this is being exercised within a framework of shared authority as communicated to us through Vatican II's insight of collegiality. Chapter 1 gives an overview of the historical and theological evolution of the papacy. Chapter 2 is about the ecclesiological renewal at the Second Vatican Council and the significant implications of this renewed vision for the exercise of authority within the Church. Chapter 3 concerns the evolution of the episcopal office from the early Church to the present times. It also examines the relationship that exists between the pope and the college of bishops. Chapter 4 speaks of the style of John Paul II's papacy. Reference is made to the encyclical Ut Unum Sint in which he invites Church leaders and theologians to search together for a new way of exercising the primacy. Various ecclesial structures and the manner authority is being exercised through them are considered. The aim of my dissertation is to show that in spite of important developments, the ecclesiological renewal brought about by the Council has only been partially realised in the area of Church authority. The Second Vatican Council remains incomplete because its ecclesiological revolution has never been encapsuled in its structures. Thus collegiality remains the "sleeping princess" of Vatican II.