Here is an example of the exaggerated fears that we must rid of. The popes have not really worked in the isolated monarchical style that the Orthodox fear. Even when they have made pronouncements in their own name you will find that there has been a wide consultation with the bishops beforehand. This was true, for instance, in both the modern papal declarations concerning the Immaculate Conception and Assumption of Mary. So while the form of these decrees may have been papal, the substance was synodal. The primacy must operate in communion with the synod, but given the modern means of communication, must this always be through a formal agency?
“The primacy must operate in communion with the synod,”
Indeed.
” but given the modern means of communication, must this always be through a formal agency?”
Yes, but precisely because of modern means of communication, that formal agency might meet in a virtual chamber. A synod meeting is a synod meeting, wheter in a real or virtual room...but a synod, no matter where it meets, has no authority at all to proclaim dogma. That’s what ecumenical councils are for (maybe meeting in cyberspace).