The pope is more than a soccer captain

by Michael Shackleton · June 25, 2010

I am confused about what is called the collegiality of the bishops of the Church. If the bishops, including the bishop of Rome, form one college of teaching authority for the Church, how can the pope claim to be the supreme pontiff? If he is supreme, it seems a contradiction for him to claim to be also a member of those over whom he has supremacy. I need some guidance, please.

Let me give the example of a sports team, such as any of the football teams that are here for the World Cup. The captain of the team is certainly a member of the team but he is more than that. He is the leader, making decisions on the field that will be to his side’s best advantage. He is the one who boosts morale by inspiring and encouraging his mates.

Apart from his leadership qualities, the captain is no more than the first among equals, having no special prerogatives and, if his team mates don’t like the way he handles them or he is otherwise unsuitable, he can be easily replaced.

Compare this with how the bishop of Rome, the pope, relates to his fellow bishops. He is one of them and their leader. But unlike a football team captain, he is not the first among equals. His authority does not come from his acceptance by his fellow bishops but from Christ himself.

Directly before his ascension, Christ authorised his apostles to go out into the world and teach all nations to observe what he had commanded (Mt 28:19-20). This authorisation continues in history in the episcopal college, which is the heir to the original body of twelve men. One among them, Peter, was given a very special role. Christ founded his Church on him as on a rock, and gave him the keys of the kingdom (Mt:16:19). He also told him especially to feed the lambs and sheep of his flock (Jn 21:15-17), and to strengthen his brother apostles (Lk 22:32).

Vatican II therefore asserted firmly that the college of bishops has no authority without its head the Roman pontiff, Peter’s successor, who is the pastor over the universal Church and the visible source of the Church’s unity (Lumen Gentium, 22).

Pope and bishops govern and teach in solidarity but when the need arises, it is the pope who has the last word in declaring the official teaching of the Church.