The Petrine Ministry. Catholics and Orthodox in Dialogue. Academic symposium held at the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (review)

This symposium was organized by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) and held on May 21-24, 2003, as an attempt to further respond to John Paul II's call for an ongoing fraternal dialogue on the question of how the Petrine ministry can be of service to the unity of the Church (see his encyclical Ut unum sint, par. 95). In addition, this academic gathering was preparing for the continuation of the dialogue with the Orthodox on the theological issues which had been suspended since Emmitsburg in 2000. There were five speakers from each side. Other experts were present as well.

The range of topics covered in this symposium centered around the specific question of primacy in the first millennium of the Christian era as it related to the role of the Bishop of Rome. Two particular issues were treated by three speakers: one by Metropolitan John Zizioulas, which was a summary of recent discussions on primacy in the Orthodox theological tradition and the other by Kasper and Hermann Pottmeyer, who explored questions of Catholic hermeneutics around the teachings of Vatican I on the question of primacy, collegiality, and infallibility.

This work represents solid historical and exegetical research from both sides. After a preliminary, introductory article by Kasper, to which I wish to return at the end, the book is organized in an historical fashion beginning by biblical studies, then by patristic studies, and finally canonical explorations. The book ends with two presentations: "Recent Discussions on Primacy in Relation to Vatican I" and "Recent Discussions on Primacy in Orthodox Theology."

Some important information may be gleaned from these chapters. First in relation to biblical studies there seems to be a common consensus that the New Testament will not provide answers to all the questions that we pose concerning a special role of Peter and primacy that are transmitted. This agrees with the major work already done by Lutherans and Catholics. In all of the patristics studies a very interesting fact is affirmed by both Orthodox and Catholics, namely, the importance of the bishop of Rome as patriarch. This is interesting in light of the fact that the title "patriarch of the West" has recently been dropped from the Annuario Pontificio. The importance of this title is seen in the fact that it preserves the Bishop of Rome from assuming universal jurisdiction over all churches.

Kasper offered a very punctual reflection on the touchy issue of the re-reception of the teaching of Vatican I, especially the teachings on papal primacy, jurisdiction, and infallibility. Two important points are to be retained from his presentation. First, the necessity to think about going beyond the teaching of Vatican II incorporating a synodical structure to that of episcopal collegiality. Secondly, the necessity to interpret the teaching of the Vatican I on the primacy and infallibility of the Pope according to the 'normal' and common rules of dogmatic hermeneutics. According to these rules, dogmas should be abided by in the sense in which the Church once declared them. In terms of the question of the Petrine ministry and the unity of the Church this means that the unity of the Church is the raison d'être and the context of interpretation of the Petrine ministry. The truth of the first millennium needs also to be received in the second since what was true in the first may not be untrue in the second. This principle of hermeneutical interpretation of dogmas needs to be applied to the re-reception of Vatican I's teaching on the papacy.

This book merits...