You Are Peter

In his encyclical, Ut unum sint, John Paul II called for common reflection on the function of papal primacy in the post-Vatican II era. With You Are Peter the great Orthodox theologian Olivier Clément responds to this request with characteristic brilliance. He summarizes the history and experience of the undivided Church, recalls the contrasting developments of Eastern and Western Christianity, and concludes with discussion of the tasks that call us to unity.

Endorsements

Professor Clément’s response to John Paul II is solidly rooted in the Orthodox tradition, and represents the cordial and open mentality characteristic of the theologians of Saint Sergius. I would judge that it is almost exactly the kind of response for which Pope John Paul II was hoping. It is a pleasure to be able to present to English-speaking readers this concise, learned, and articulate presentation.... Professor Clément’s contribution is a beacon of hope for the future.

Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J.

From the Foreword

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Clément/ Orthodoxy Set

About the author

Olivier Clément

Olivier-Maurice Clément (1921-2009) was one of the foremost Orthodox theologians of the 20th century. He actively promoted the reunification of Christians (he was friends with Pope John Paul II), dialogue between Christians and people of other beliefs, and the engagement of Christian thinkers with modern thought and society. As a history professor, he taught at the Louis-le-Grand lyceum in Paris for a long time. As a professor of the St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute (Institut Saint-Serge) he became one of the most highly regarded witnesses to Orthodox Christianity, as well as one of the most prolific. He was a founder of the Orthodox Fellowship in Western Europe, and was the author of thirty books on the life, thought and history of the Orthodox Church, and their meeting with other Christians, the non-Christian religions and modernity. He was responsible for the theological journal, Contacts, and became a Doctor honoris causa at the Institute for theology in Bucharest and at the Catholic University in Louvain.