Papacy and theologoumen

[Theophrastus]

Could papal infallibility be seen as a theologoumen? Is there an Orthodox theory on why the Catholics decided to make that idea into a dogma?

[Kosta]

dear Theophrastus,
This is not a theologoumen. the Apostolic tradition teaches us that all bishops are equal. Patriarchates were simply for legal structure in the early church, established by the canons of the Ecumenical Councils. Before the establishment of canon 6 of Nicea in 325 a.d. Patriarchates did not exist. A future ecumenical council can change the structure or order of these patriarchates, in fact it can even abolish them.
Calling a bishop: archimandrite, patriarch, pope, cardinal, metropolitan or whatever else, are simply political and legal titles.

Its quite simple why how the roman dogma came about. In the west, Rome is the only Church with Apostolic foundations. The east has about 43 churches with apostolic foundations.

[Nicolaj]

Dear Brethren,

It is clear that the RC church had to make such a dogma to justify their 'mistakes' and heresies through the ages. In Orthodoxy we see the Holy Spirit as sent to us to guide the church until Jesus returns. The RC church sees the Pope as the deputy of Christ and in this context we must see the dogma (or Heresy!) of infallibility. They really see themselves as the next best after Christ! And they want to be respected and honoured like this!

In Christ-Nicolaj