Reading The Franciscan Tea Leaves - An Article By An Eastern Catholic

[Apotheoun]

Reading the Franciscan Tea Leaves

By Adam DeVille, an Eastern Catholic author

 

Having written my first book on the papacy in light of Eastern Orthodox thought, it was a point of small, admittedly geeky, pride that I seem to have been one of few people -- amidst the crushing mass of commentary -- to have picked up a hugely significant phrase used by the new pope.

 

In his second paragraph from the loggia last Wednesday, Pope Francis quietly and without explicit reference quoted one of the oldest phrases extant to describe the Church of Rome as being the one "which presides in charity over all the Churches." This phrase goes back to Ignatius of Antioch, one of the earliest fathers of the Church who died somewhere around the turn of the second century.

 

Used in Ignatius's Letter to the Romans, it describes a vision of church relations quite different from recent Roman practice, but the quoting of this phrase, along with other gestures by the new pope, would seem to suggest that his vision is indeed quite different, and wholly welcome, especially to Orthodox Christians for whom an overly exalted and far-reaching papacy remains the last significant hurdle to Orthodox-Catholic unity.

 

Let us consider just a few signs:

 

In his inaugural address from the loggia, he never once used the words "pope" or "pontiff" or their cognates. (There is nothing wrong with either term: pope comes from the Greek for "father" and "pontiff" in Latin means bridge-builder.) Instead he consistently referred to Rome now having a bishop again. This is extremely significant because of the many titles he holds, "bishop of Rome" is not only the oldest but also the most important without which nothing else is possible. Being made a bishop requires a sacrament, which is very serious; being made pope requires no sacrament and nothing more than a simple election which adds nothing to a man's sacramental character; the pope is not a "super-bishop."

 

 

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Edited March 21, 2013 by Apotheoun

[KnightofChrist]

Amazing how much "Petrus Romanus" may well be a fit description of Pope Francis! :]

[WillT]

Good article!

[Seven77]

Reading the Franciscan Tea Leaves

 

A\/\/esome.

[Guest Allie]

"presides in charity"  I like it.

[Apotheoun]

"presides in charity"  I like it.

Yes, it is a beautiful phrase, but it is important to note that St. Ignatios of Antioch, who was the first to use that phrase in connection with the Roman Church, did not speak about the Roman Church presiding "over" all the other Churches. The idea that the Roman Church has power "over" other Churches is of much later origin and is used only in the West.

[Fidei Defensor]

Yes, it is a beautiful phrase, but it is important to note that St. Ignatios of Antioch, who was the first to use that phrase in connection with the Roman Church, did not speak about the Roman Church presiding "over" all the other Churches. The idea that the Roman Church has power "over" other Churches is of much later origin and is used only in the West.

Would you speculate that the Roman Church, via the Pontiff, has the role of preserving orthodox Christianity, the role in which is "presides in charity" among all the other Churches? 

 

That being said, it does not preside "over" but among solely to fulfill that duty of preservation?

Edited March 22, 2013 by tardis ad astra

[Apotheoun]

Would you speculate that the Roman Church, via the Pontiff, has the role of preserving orthodox Christianity, the role in which is "presides in charity" among all the other Churches? 

No, that is the duty of all bishops and all Christians. Primacy (i.e., to preside in charity) in the East concerns the taxis (ordering) of the various Churches (or sees), but it is not a doctrinal matter. The bishop who holds the primacy within a synod has a directive function within theit, but that is all; he is not a lord over the other bishops, nor does he have more say in the final decision of the synod than any other bishop. One bishop, one vote.

Edited March 22, 2013 by Apotheoun

[Apotheoun]

. . .

 

That being said, it does not preside "over" but among solely to fulfill that duty of preservation?

In the East primacy and synodality are coordinate and inseparable principles, there can be no synod without a primate and no primate without a synod. They work in symphony with each other. All - and not merely the primate - are charged with the preservation of the faith. Moreover, this duty to safeguard the faith is not merely an episcopal function, but is the duty of all Christians (lay, monastic, and clerical).

Edited March 22, 2013 by Apotheoun

[Nihil Obstat]

Quick question about the Eastern hierarchy. Say that, somehow, a rather poor bishop slips though. Turns out to be quite modernist. What are the synod's or primate's options in minimizing his influence? Or do they simply wait him out until he dies?

[Apotheoun]

No, that is the duty of all bishops and all Christians. Primacy (i.e., to preside in charity) in the East concerns the taxis (ordering) of the various Churches (or sees), but it is not a doctrinal matter. The bishop who holds the primacy within a synod has a directive function within it, but that is all; he is not a lord over the other bishops, nor does he have more say in the final decision of the synod than any other bishop. One bishop, one vote.

Corrected the typo.  :)

[Apotheoun]

Quick question about the Eastern hierarchy. Say that, somehow, a rather poor bishop slips though. Turns out to be quite modernist. What are the synod's or primate's options in minimizing his influence? Or do they simply wait him out until he dies?

The bishop (if he is a heretic) can be judged by the synod as a whole (including the primate of course) and should he be found guilty, the synod can (and would) depose him.

[Nihil Obstat]

The bishop (if he is a heretic) can be judged by the synod as a whole (including the primate of course) and should he be found guilty, the synod can (and would) depose him.

Makes sense. Thank you.

So in that case, like what you are describing above, the primate does not have any additional authority in such a deposition?

[Apotheoun]

Makes sense. Thank you.

So in that case, like what you are describing above, the primate does not have any additional authority in such a deposition?

He can direct the synod to act, that is, he can instigate a trial of the wayward bishop, but so can the local Church governed by the "heretical" bishop (i.e., through its priests and even through complaints by the lay faithful).

[Nihil Obstat]

He can direct the synod to act, that is, he can instigate a trial of the wayward bishop, but so can the local Church governed by the "heretical" bishop (i.e., through its priests and even through complaints by the lay faithful).

Interesting. Thanks.