QUESTION:
7/19/2009: What authority during the buildup of schism before and and during the great schism did the early bishops have against the pope so as to be able to disagree with his authority and not be anathematized?, I thought the old cannon law says if anyone disagrees, or goes against the authority of the pope or supreme bishop at that time on matters of faith or authority they were instantly anathematized, and was this concept of "anathematizing" one for not falling in line with the popes authority added latter on way after the great schism? please go into great depth or even send more information forwarded to my email, it is very important for my conversion. |
ANSWER:
When studying the study of Christian history, it is very important to use reliable first-hand sources, written at the time of the events, and it is equally important to avoid importing foreign or later concepts into the past. In order to understand the role and prerogatives of Rome during the first five centuries, the best sources are Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History (in English, Paul Maier's edition), collections of letters, and other ecclesiastical histories. The idea what Rome has special rights or powers was an early one, as indicated by Pope Julius. During the controversy with the North Africans at the time of St Augustine, the North Africans asked Rome to produce the ecumenical canon, but Rome could only produce the canons of Sardica which they had - mistakenly perhaps - merged with those of Nicea. The North African - like Cyprian (of their own before and those of the East - did not allow Rome to interfere in there local affairs since their was no ecumenical canon. However, most churches did recognize Sardica as 'almost ecumenical' and Rome's privilege to hear appeals was respected. According to the rule of Sardica (which was recognized by the East until the Great Schism), the bishop of Rome could accept appeals and send them to another court, but not pass judgment himself. For more information on these discussions and the actual privileges of Rome as first see, please read Documents Illustrating Papal Authority by Edward Giles or His Broken Body (Understanding and healing the schism between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches) by Laurent Cleenewerck. |
