ABSTRACT
The call to unity of John Paul II in the encyclical Ut Unum Sint elicited a positive response from many churches in Britain and Ireland, including the Church of Scotland. The recent sense of bereavement and wave of interest around the papacy gave tangible expression to the perceptions of the Roman pontiff as a key figure on the global stage. Thus there can be little dispute on the appropriateness of discussing the late pope’s desire for shared reflection on how the ministry of the Bishop of Rome might become a ministry of unity amongst the divided churches, accomplishing a ‘service of love recognised by all concerned’ (95, UUS). My need is to examine ecumenical possibilities around the Petrine ministry. But from the outset the difficulties of conceiving of unity with a focus in this direction should be frankly acknowledged. It seems most unlikely to be accomplished without a considerable movement on the side of the papacy in its self-understanding. And with the Church of Scotland amongst the dialogue partners, there is correspondingly a need for a massive shift on our side, so to speak. ‘All change’ is an understatement!
