The following notes come from
Erick Ybarra, The Papacy: Revisiting the Debate Between
Catholics and Orthodox (Steubenville, Ohio: Emmaus Road, 2022)
Some readers might point out how
the original decree of Pope St. Celestine should have simply stuck as soon as
it was given to Nestorius with no further questions asked. But what ended up happening
was a council that met to consider the matter. At first glance, this appears to
be a gradual and conciliar process rather than what many Orthodox are expecting
to see happen if the papacy were true. Some might observe this as a way to
prove that the pope himself didn’t have the authority to judge Nestorius and
therefore lacked any jurisdiction in the East. In the final analysis, one
wonders whether this objection is to be taken seriously. Even if it were the
case that the pope could, simply by the stroke of his pen, resolve all
disputes, it would not always behoove him to do so. If a pope were to ever try
to discipline an Eastern patriarch, for example, with no evidence or just cause
whatsoever, this would only prove to be a shown of foolishness, and the moral credibility
of that pope would be damaged. I would imagine there would be an outcry, and
rightly so! It does not matter if Catholics believe that the successor of St.
Peter is endowed by Jesus Christ with universal jurisdiction over the whole
Church since that Lord who bestowed that authority also said:
The kings of the Gentiles exercise
lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But
not so with you; rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest,
and the leader as one who serves. For which is the greater, one who sits at
table, or one who serves? It is not the one who sits at table? But I am among
you as one who serves. (Luke 22:25-27)
Even Jesus Christ, the King of
kings, who possesses universal jurisdiction over all of creation, limits
himself, in the dispensation of grace, to exercise that authority only in
service to mankind. Only to the degree that one loves the humble Christ can he
rightfully exercise primacy over Christians, and this is why before issuing the
pastoral commission to St. Peter to govern the flock, Jesus thrice asked, “Do
you love me?” Even aside from the positive imperative given by the Lord above,
practical wisdom also prohibits world leaders from brash and draconian
leadership. Even the most dictatorial despots throughout history have known
that prudence, wisdom, discretion, and diplomacy must be used to govern a realm
for both, its own and his own welfare. (pp. 267-68)
