[bornacatholic]

Pope Saint Leo, the Great, Reigned from 440-461 A.D.

His letters witness to the Petrine Primacy

[TexConfederate1861]

What I see here is what the Orthodox have always believed.
That the See of Peter has always had primacy, but
as "Primus Inter Pares"


Not as the "Vicar of Christ" or as "Universal Bishop" which Leo rejected.

[Kolokotronis]

"Pope Saint Leo, the Great, Reigned from 440-461 A.D.

His letters witness to the Petrine Primacy"

He is, of course, a saint for the Orthodox too, precisely because of his teaching of Orthodoxy relating to the nature of Christ. As to his ideas on Petrine Primacy, well I suppose one shouldn't be surprised that a pope would claim such powers to himself. These claims are not now, were they then, accepted by the East. Rome knows that. Pope +Leo's presumptions will not form a model for the exercise of Petrine Primacy in any re-united Christendom.

[Salvation]

BTTT on the Memorial of St. Leo the Great, November 10, 2006!

[Salvation]

St. Leo the Great

St. Leo the Great
Feast Day: November 10, 2007
(d. 461)

With apparent strong conviction of the importance of the Bishop of Rome in the Church, and of the Church as the ongoing sign of Christ’s presence in the world, Leo the Great displayed endless dedication in his role as pope. Elected in 440, he worked tirelessly as "Peter’s successor," guiding his fellow bishops as "equals in the episcopacy and infirmities."
     Leo is known as one of the best administrative popes of the ancient Church. His work branched into four main areas, indicative of his notion of the pope’s total responsibility for the flock of Christ. He worked at length to control the heresies of Pelagianism, Manichaeism and others, placing demands on their followers so as to secure true Christian beliefs. A second major area of his concern was doctrinal controversy in the Church in the East, to which he responded with a classic letter setting down the Church’s teaching on the nature of Christ. With strong faith, he also led the defense of Rome against barbarian attack, taking the role of peacemaker.
     In these three areas, Leo’s work has been highly regarded. His growth to sainthood has its basis in the spiritual depth with which he approached the pastoral care of his people, which was the fourth focus of his work. He is known for his spiritually profound sermons. An instrument of the call to holiness, well-versed in Scripture and ecclesiastical awareness, Leo had the ability to reach the everyday needs and interests of his people. One of his Christmas sermons is still famous today.

Comment:

     At a time when there is widespread criticism of Church structures, we also hear criticism that bishops and priests—indeed, all of us—are too preoccupied with administration of temporal matters. Pope Leo is an example of a great administrator who used his talents in areas where spirit and structure are inseparably combined: doctrine, peace and pastoral care. He avoided an "angelism" that tries to live without the body, as well as the "practicality" that deals only in externals.