I can’t speak for an Orthodox interpretation, but I don’t think a Catholic interpretation would be totally dismissive of kawaii’s point either. The power to bind and loose is given to the Apostles corporately in Matt 18:18 after it is given to Peter singularly in Matt 16:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew18.htm
To frame the issue as an either-or doesn’t quite capture the complexity of Matt’s text. The “binding and loosing” which Peter is given personally is also shared among the Apostolic College, but as a body and not singularly.
How that balance is to be achieved between the Primus and the College of Bishops is above my pay grade, but it seems clear that some sort of balance is demanded in Scripture.
“To frame the issue as an either-or doesn’t quite capture the complexity of Matt’s text. The “binding and loosing” which Peter is given personally is also shared among the Apostolic College, but as a body and not singularly.
How that balance is to be achieved between the Primus and the College of Bishops is above my pay grade, but it seems clear that some sort of balance is demanded in Scripture.”
Exactly and precisely! This is the whole essence of conciliarity with a primus and as we all know, there has never been a synod in The Church without a primus.