Primacy and episcopacy

Abstract

'Whether one wants it or not, the primacy of the pope stands out like a stumbling block on the road which ought to lead christians who sincerely yearn for unity to Rome'. Our task is therefore to show the credibility of the Petrine Office by making a meaningful exegetic and dogmatic study. Great steps towards the evangelical renewal of the Petrine Office have been made since the Renaissance-popes of Luther's time, up to the rulers of the Church-state at the time of Vatican I and up to the pastoral popes of this century. Theology has a great task to contribute in putting the position of the Petrine Office exactly and carefully within the structure of the Church in the terms of the New Testament and early traditions. Vatican I definitions, may be because of contemporary mentality and situation, talk more of the Juridical than the biblical aspect of the position of the pope. What is central in the gospel is only treated marginally such as: that the Petrine Office is a ministry in the Church. The catholic task is to present the Petrine Office credibly again, approaching to it from the gospel point of view. This office should be concerned not with its rights and authority but with ministry to the brethren. 'For one is your Master and all of' you are brothers.' (Mt.23:8) The special ministry of' the Petrine office is the ministry of strengthening the faith, ministry of charity and of pastoral care for the unity of the Church.