[jo kus]

Just read an article in another thread where the pope excommunicated a priest (somewhere in england or Australia i think) that seems like top down correction to me.

Perhaps you are not aware that the Bible itself provides for such actions. Consider re-reading 1 Cor 5:5. I guess Paul's Church was top-down, too, by your definition.

I had presumed that heretical priests could be excommunicated by their Patriarchs in the Orthodox Church. If this is not the case, I believe you need to look to why the Orthodox Church doesn't follow the Scriptural precedent. Isn't it the job of the Bishops to protect the flock?

To me, top-down means orders are given from above and followed to the letter in all occasions. There is little autonomy. I see the Catholic Church as being subjected to "interference" from Rome, but the Bishops are relatively unimpeded, unless they are WAY off-base.

Regards

[x5452]

I'm hardly saying it wasn't called for, I'm just saying the pope is in fact hands on.

I already mentioned the situation in Boston:
http://www.pokrov.org/controversial/htmon.html

Clearly that was called for.

I think you know well the situation where the Orthodox disagree with the top down application of 'papal supremacy' (changing canon for instance).