Abstract

One of the central themes of Fr. Jacek Salij’s apologetic writings is the primacy and mission of the Bishop of Rome. In his book Why Does the Church Need a Pope? the Dominican undertakes a systematic analysis of this issue. His defence of the papal primacy is grounded in the presentation of the scriptural foundations of St Peter’s preeminence in the New Testament. The Dominican cites three words spoken by Jesus to Peter, which constitute a synthesis of the apostolic tasks entrusted to him as recorded in Mt 16, Lk 22, and Jn 21. He also refers to the testimonies of early Christian writers. By drawing on the writings of Clement of Rome, Ignatius of
Antioch, and Irenaeus of Lyons, Salij demonstrates how the mission of the Bishop of Rome was understood by the ancient Christian community. A significant aspect of his work is the thorough response to accusations levelled against certain popes — Victor, Liberius, and Honorius — as well as the unmasking of legends, such as that of Pope Joan. After a careful examination of Fr. Salij’s apologetic approach, one may observe that the complementarity of the employed sources and his distinctive apologetic method have served to present a well-founded argument in favour of St Peter’s primacy. The mission of the Bishop of Rome, as presented by Fr. Jacek Salij in the light of the New Testament and the writings of the early Christian authors, reveals the cooperation of humankind with the Creator in the shaping of the history of the world.