By What Authority? Primatiality and Synodality in Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy: In Quest for Better Solutions

The major Christian denominations over the centuries have developed structures of authority and decision-making. It is intended to prove, that in the Roman Catholic Church, the focus has shifted toward primacy, while the Orthodox Churches are considered to be governed in the most synodal manner. The existing models of authority have their advantages and disadvantages, influencing decision-making and shaping synodal structures. In the article, using the methods of analysis, interpretation and comparison, the structures of authority and decision-making in the Orthodox Churches and the Roman Catholic Church will be displayed, and on this basis, their strengths and weaknesses will be detected. The following questions will be answered in turn: how do primatial structures function in the churches? What is the shared responsibility for decision-making in synodal structures? What are the strong and weak points in the churches’ primatial and synodal structures? Based on the answers to these proposals, de-clericalisation of the primatial appointments and preventing synodal bodies from substantive failures will be formulated.