www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Orthodox Leaders Could Accept Papal Primacy

I think doing that would solve the problem. However, since the West has solemnly and dogmatically defined its current view of papal jurisdiction and infallibility then how could it do what you're talking about? Believe me, I wish there were a way for Rome to go back to its pre-schism understanding of these 2 things so reunion could happen.

I look at it this way: George W Bush is the President of the United States of America. He could conceivably micromanage every town in the Union. But he doesn't he won't come into St. Louis and tell Mayor Francis Slay how to do his job. He's still the president, but he leaves the local management to the local officials.

The problem, though, is that the Orthodox (to use your example) say it's a heresy for the President to even have the right to do that micromanagement regardless of whether he chooses to do it or not.

Also, the papal infallibility is still an issue. The Pope would somehow have to reverse Vatican I and go back to saying that an ecumenical council was the only way to make infallible doctrinal pronouncements.

I don't see how the RC could reverse itself without contradicting existing doctrinal pronouncements. Which means (I think) the situation is irreconcilable. If you can think of a way for the RC to change back to pre-schism way of doing business w/o contradicting Vatican I then I'd welcome that.