The papacy is “the oldest living institution in the Western world,” John O’Malley notes in his introduction to A History of the Popes, and “as vital today as perhaps ever in its history.” Given the negative attributes that the book ascribes to various popes over the centuries, the papacy’s ongoing vitality is indeed remarkable, but also somewhat contextual. As O’M (...)
June 15, 2012
Books
When Popes Were Papas
A History of the PopesFrom Peter to the PresentJohn W. O’Malley, SJSheed & Ward, $19.95, 368 pp.
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Constantine 'unified' the many 'papas' of Antioch, Alexandria, Corinth et al at Niceae in 325...the 'papa' of Rome was one among many and mabe first in the catholic sense of the creed. Not universal in the latin sense. The centralisation of roman control is political, not faithful to the followers of Jesus.