Abstract:

The thesis is a historical study and contemporary assessment of the ministry of unity of an ancient bishop of Rome: Leo the Great (September 440 – November 461). The historical study applies Ut Unum Sint’s reflections on the ministry of unity of the bishop of Rome to Leo. UUS teaches, following Vatican II, that the bishop of Rome is the “perpetual and visible principle and foundation of unity” of the Church. He is the “first servant of unity” who must ensure the communion of all the Churches. How did Leo exercise his ministry of unity? How did he serve unity? What is his main contribution to Church unity? Leo carried out his ministry by offering the primacy of the bishop of Rome as the unifying center of the Church. This is his main contribution to Church unity. The contemporary assessment finds Leo’s way of exercising the ministry and his contribution to unity difficult to apply today as primacy is seen as a cause of disunity and an obstacle to unity. The thesis concludes with some ways on moving forward and making the bishop of Rome truly ecumenical, universal and accepted by all Christians.

Final Defense:

Board of Examiners: Fr. Antonio De Castro, S.J., S.T.L., E.H.D. (Principal Examiner), Fr. Rene Paglinawan, O.A.R., , and Fr. Emilio Edgardo Quilatan, O.A.R.

Proposal Defense:

Board of Examiners: Fr. Antonio de Castro,S.J., E.H.D., Fr. Fernando Guillen Preckler, Sch.P., S.T.D., Joaquin Yap,Jr., S.W., D.Phil. (Adviser).