James Lee: Petrine Authority in the Ecclesiology of Leo the Great

This paper examines Leo the Great’s doctrine of Petrine authority by analyzing his developing ecclesiology. It argues that Leo builds upon Augustine’s views in order to strengthen the authority of the bishop of Rome. Leo’s development of the papacy goes beyond the previous Latin tradition by positing the church not merely as a parallel society, but as a divinely instituted spiritual imperium, which must be respected and supported by the imperial administration. Leo draws heavily upon Roman imperial law and Scripture in order to establish papal primacy. Peter, having been the first to confess Jesus as Christ, is entrusted with the governance of the church in terms of doctrine, discipline, and jurisdiction. This Petrine authority is passed on to each successor. While church and empire contribute to the well-being of the other, the Roman see maintains spiritual authority as head of the entire world. Leo’s formulation of papal primacy is a crucial feature of Western patristic ecclesiology following Augustine. This study demonstrates Leo’s contribution to the doctrine of Petrine authority by exploring his Epistulaeand Sermones.