www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Significance of the keys in Matt 16:19?

The real point is that Popes have said they are open to discussions about the role of the Petrine Primacy and they therefore mean that this may continue to evolve, Vatican I notwithstanding.

And Bl. John Henry Newman said the same.

Alex

The "real point" of my original post was to inquire as to the Eastern Orthodox understandings of the significance of the keys to the kingdom of Heaven being given to Peter.

How the papacy is currently exercised and will be exercised in the future is a separate matter.

Dear brother Talon,

I thought my response was pretty representative of the general Oriental/Eastern understanding: the keys were not given to St. Peter ALONE. They were given collectively to the Apostles, though perhaps PRIMARILY to St. Peter (to establish his primacy among the Apostles).

Blessings

Dear Talon,

It is actually part of your "real point."

The Eastern Orthodox believe that the keys of Peter are exercised by the entire episcopate, including the Patriarchs among whom there is a hierarchy.

That is assuming, of course, that no Patriarch is excommunicated, as they affirm Rome is, for accepting dogmatically novel doctrines such as the Filioque et alia.

If the Pope of Rome held the faith of Peter, he should enjoy the privileges of Peter - that basically sums it up.

Alex