[German Version]

The expression Petrine office is a shorthand reference to the theory, primarily advocated by Roman Catholic theology, that according to Christ’s will the apostle Peter was to exercise leadership in the universal church even after his death (Papacy, Primacy, Papal). The New Testament basis for this theory is the special ecclesiological role accorded Peter in the earliest years of the church. He was the first of Jesus’ disciples to be called (Mark 1:16f. parr.; but contrast John 1:40) and is named first in lists of the t…