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Note: For information on the term 'church', click
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"Because
the Church is by divine institution the sole depository and
interpreter of the ideals and teachings of Christ, she alone
possesses in any complete and true sense the power effectively to
combat that materialistic philosophy which has already done and,
still threatens, such tremendous harm to the home and to the
state. The Church alone can introduce into society and maintain
therein the prestige of a true, sound spiritualism, the
spiritualism of Christianity which both from the point of view of
truth and of its practical value is quite superior to any
exclusively philosophical theory. The Church is the teacher and an
example of world good-will, for she is able to inculcate and
develop in mankind the 'true spirit of brotherly love' (St.
Augustine, De Moribus Ecclesiae Catholicae, i, 30) and by raising
the public estimation of the value and dignity of the individual's
soul help thereby to lift us even unto God." (Pope Pius XI,
"Ubi Arcano Dei Consilio", 1922 A.D.)
"[T]he
Church of God, though afflicted by many a disaster and social
upheaval, torn by many a heresy and schism, anguished by the
treason of her followers and by the disloyalty of her sons,
nevertheless, trusting in the promises of her Founder, while human
institutions of varying origin that surrounded her fell in ruins,
not only stood safe and unharmed, but also in every age glowed
with brighter beauty in noble lives of holiness and devotion,
while in many Christians she made the fire of charity burn with
growing heat. Moreover, thanks to her missionaries and martyrs she
brought into her Fold fresh nations, among whom the pristine glory
of virginity renews its bloom and the rank of priest and Bishop
keeps its vigor. In fine, so deeply has she imbued all peoples
with her spirit of charity and justice, that the very men who
treat her with indifference or hostility, cannot refrain from
borrowing her way of speaking and acting." (Pope Pius XI,
"Ad Salutem", 1930 A.D.)
"The
Church which, already conceived, came forth from the side of the
second Adam in His sleep on the Cross, first showed herself before
the eyes of men on the great day of Pentecost. On that day the
Holy Ghost began to manifest His gifts in the mystic body of
Christ, by that miraculous outpouring already foreseen by the
prophet Joel (ii., 28-29), for the Paraclete 'sat upon the
apostles as though new spiritual crowns were placed upon their
heads in tongues of fire' (S. Cyril Hier. Catech. 17). Then the
apostles 'descended from the mountain,' as St. John Chrysostom
writes, 'not bearing in their hands tables of stone like Moses,
but carrying the Spirit in their mind, and pouring forth the
treasure and the fountain of doctrines and graces' (In Matt. Hom.
L, 2 Cor. iii., 3). Thus was fully accomplished that last promise
of Christ to His apostles of sending the Holy Ghost, who was to
complete and, as it were, to seal the deposit of doctrine
committed to them under His inspiration." (Pope Leo XIII,
"Divinum Illud Munus", 1897 A.D.)
"As
her children, it is our duty, not only to make a return to her for
her maternal goodness to us, but also to respect the authority
which she has received from Christ in virtue of which she brings
into captivity our understanding unto the obedience of Christ.
Thus we are commanded to obey her laws and her moral precepts,
even if at times they are difficult to our fallen nature; to bring
our rebellious body into subjection through voluntary
mortification; and at times we are warned to abstain even from
harmless pleasures. Nor does it suffice to love this Mystical Body
for the glory of its divine Head and for its heavenly gifts; we
must love it with an effective love as it appears in this our
mortal flesh - made up, that is, of weak human elements, even
though at times they are little fitted to the place which they
occupy in this venerable Body. In order that such a solid and
undivided love may abide and increase in our souls day by day, we
must accustom ourselves to see Christ Himself in the Church. For
it is Christ who lives in His Church, and through her, teaches,
governs, and sanctifies" (Pope Pius
XII, "Mystici Corporis Christi", 1943 A.D.)
"Now,
as all salvation comes from Jesus Christ - for there is no other
name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved - Our ardent
desire is that the most holy name of Jesus should rapidly pervade
and fill every land. And here, indeed, is a duty which the Church,
faithful to the divine mission entrusted to her, has never
neglected. What has been the object of her labors for more than
nineteen centuries? Is there any other work she has undertaken
with greater zeal and constancy than that of bringing the nations
of the earth to the truth and principles of Christianity? Today,
as ever, by Our authority, the heralds of the Gospel constantly
cross the seas to reach the farthest corners of the earth; and We
pray to God daily that in His goodness He may deign to increase
the number of His ministers who are really worthy of this
apostolate, and who are ready to sacrifice their convenience,
their health, and their very life, if need be, in order to extend
the frontiers of the kingdom of Christ." (Pope Leo XIII,
"Praeclara Gratulationis Publicae", 1894 A.D.)
"Blessed
Peter, prince of Apostles, and his successors have been given the
power and care of feeding and ruling the flock of Christ, our God
and Savior. Hence, the more grave the evils threatening the flock,
the greater the solicitude the Roman Pontiffs ought to employ in
preventing them. For, those who have been placed in the topmost
watch tower of the Church can discern from afar the artifices
which the enemies of the Christian family undertake to destroy the
Church of Christ: (which they will never achieve) they can point
them out and expose them to the faithful, who may then guard
against them; they can drive away and remove them by their
authority. Our predecessors, the Roman Pontiffs, understanding
this most grievous duty imposed upon them, have unceasingly kept
the watches of a good shepherd, and by exhortations, doctrines,
decrees, and by their very life given for their sheep, have been
solicitous about restraining and utterly abolishing the sects
threatening the complete ruin of the Church." (Pope Leo XII,
"Quo Graviora", 1826 A.D.)
"Wherefore,
He willed not only to train disciples in His doctrine, but to
unite them into one society, and closely conjoin them in one body,
'which is the Church,' whereof He would be the head. The life of
Jesus Christ pervades, therefore, the entire framework of this
body, cherishes and nourishes its every member, uniting each with
each, and making all work together to the same end, albeit the
action of each be not the same. Hence it follows that not only is
the Church a perfect society far excelling every other, but it is
enjoined by her Founder that for the salvation of mankind she is
to contend 'as an army drawn up in battle array.' The organization
and constitution of Christian society can in no wise be changed,
neither can any one of its members live as he may choose, nor
elect that mode of fighting which best pleases him. For, in
effect, he scatters and gathers not who gathers not with the
Church and with Jesus Christ, and all who fight not jointly with
him and with the Church are in very truth contending against
God." (Pope Leo XIII, "Sapientiae Christianae",
1890 A.D.)
"So
that we could fulfill our duty of embracing the true faith and of
persevering unwaveringly in it, God, through his only begotten
Son, founded the Church, and He endowed his institution with clear
notes to the end that She might be recognized by all as the
guardian and teacher of the revealed word. To the Catholic Church
alone belong all those things, so many and so marvelous, which
have been divinely ordained to make for the manifest credibility
of the Christian faith. What is more, the Church herself by reason
of her astonishing propagation, her outstanding holiness and her
inexhaustible fertility in every kind of goodness, by her Catholic
unity and her unconquerable stability, is a kind of great and
perpetual motive of credibility and an incontrovertible evidence
of her own divine mission. So it comes about that, like a standard
lifted up for the nations, she both invites to herself those who
have not yet believed, and likewise assures her sons and daughters
that the faith they profess rests on the firmest of
foundations." (First Vatican Council)
"In
truth, Christ our Lord, setting Himself to fulfill the commandment
which His Father had given Him, straightway imparted a new form
and fresh beauty to all things, taking away the effects of their
time-worn age. For He healed the wounds which the sin of our first
father had inflicted on the human race; He brought all men, by
nature children of wrath, into favor with God; He led to the light
of truth men wearied out by longstanding errors; He renewed to
every virtue those who were weakened by lawlessness of every kind;
and, giving them again an inheritance of never-ending bliss, He
added a sure hope that their mortal and perishable bodies should
one day be partakers of immortality and of the glory of heaven. In
order that these unparalleled benefits might last as long as men
should be found on earth, He entrusted to His Church the
continuance of His work; and, looking to future times, He
commanded her to set in order whatever might have become deranged
in human society, and to restore whatever might have fallen into
ruin." (Pope Leo XIII, "Arcanum", 1880 A.D.)
"It
is eminently befitting the nature and necessity of the case, that
Christ Jesus has been and shall continue to be ready to safeguard
the Church, which His provident care established for the salvation
of the human race. This certainty is warranted by the promise of
her Divine Founder, which we read in the Gospel; and it must be
clear to evidence from the annals of that Church, on which error
has never set a stain, which no falling away - however widespread
- of
her sons has made to waver, which regains her youthful vigor and
ceaselessly renews her strength despite the assaults of impious
men, even when carried to the most shocking extremes. While our
Lord in securing the stability and promoting the growth of His
foundation, which belongs to all time, did not limit Himself to a
single method nor proceed always in the selfsame way, yet it is
noteworthy that in every age He raised up distinguished men, who,
by talents and efforts suited to the times and their exigencies,
should rejoice the heart of the Christian people, by successively
curbing and conquering the 'power of darkness.'" (Pope Pius
XI, "Ad Salutem", 1930 A.D.)
"[The
Church] is not an association of Christians brought together by
chance, but is a divinely established and admirably constituted
society, having for its direct and proximate purpose to lead the
world to peace and holiness. And since the Church alone has,
through the grace of God, received the means necessary to realize
such end, she has her fixed laws, special spheres of action, and a
certain method, fixed and conformable to her nature, of governing
Christian peoples. But the exercise of such governing power is
difficult, and leaves room for numberless conflicts, inasmuch as
the Church rules peoples scattered through every portion of the
earth, differing in race and customs, who, living under the sway
of the laws of their respective countries, owe obedience alike to
the civil and religious authorities. The duties enjoined are
incumbent on the same persons, as already stated, and between them
there exists neither contradiction nor confusion; for some of
these duties have relation to the prosperity of the State, others
refer to the general good of the Church, and both have as their
object to train men to perfection." (Pope Leo XIII, "Sapientiae
Christianae", 1890 A.D.)
"O
Catholic Church, true Mother of Christians! Not only doest thou
preach to us, as is meet, how purely and chastely we are to
worship God Himself, Whom to possess is life most blessed; thou
does moreover so cherish neighborly love and charity, that all the
infirmities to which sinful souls are subject, find their most
potent remedy in thee. Childlike thou are in molding the child,
strong with the young man, gentle with the aged, dealing with each
according to his needs of mind of body. Thou does subject child to
parent in a sort of free servitude, and settest parent over child
in a jurisdiction of love. Thou bindest brethren to brethren by
the bond of religion, stronger and closer then the bond of blood
... Thou unitest citizen to citizen, nation to nation, yea, all
men, in a union not of companionship only, but of brotherhood,
reminding them of their common origin. Thou teachest kings to care
for their people, and biddest people to be subject to their kings.
Thou teachest assiduously to whom honor is due, to whom love, to
whom reverence, to whom fear, to whom comfort, to whom rebuke, to
whom punishment; showing us that whilst not all things nor the
same things are due to all, charity is due to all and offense to
none." (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)
"Certainly
there is the greatest need now of such valiant soldiers of Christ
who will work with all their strength to keep the human family
safe from the dire ruin into which it would be plunged were the
teachings of the Gospel to be flouted, and that order of things
permitted to prevail which tramples underfoot no less the laws of
nature than those of God. The Church of Christ, built upon an
unshakable rock, has nothing to fear for herself, as she knows for
a certainty that the gates of hell shall never prevail against
her. Rather, she knows full well, through the experience of many
centuries, that she is wont to come forth from the most violent
storms stronger than ever and adorned with new triumphs. Yet her
maternal heart cannot but be moved by the countless evils with
which so many thousands would be afflicted during storms of this
kind, and above all by the consequent enormous injury to spiritual
life which would work eternal ruin to so many souls redeemed by
the Blood of Jesus Christ. To ward off such great evils from human
society nothing, therefore, is to be left untried; to this end may
all our labors turn, to this all our energies, to this our fervent
and unremitting prayers to God!" (Pope Pius XI, "Quadragesimo
Anno", 1931 A.D.)
"Adhering
firmly to the foundation of the Catholic Faith, other than which,
as the Apostle testifies, no one can lay, we openly profess with
Holy Mother Church that the only begotten Son of God, subsisting
eternally together with the Father in everything in which God the
Father exists, assumed in time in the womb of a virgin the parts
of our nature united together, from which he himself true God
became true man: namely the human, passible body and the
intellectual or rational soul truly of itself and essentially
informing the body. And that in this assumed nature the Word of
God willed for the salvation of all not only to be nailed to the
cross and to die on it, but also, having already breathed forth
his spirit, permitted his side to be pierced by a lance, so that
from the outflowing water and blood there might be formed the one,
immaculate and holy virginal mother church, the bride of Christ,
as from the side of the first man in his sleep Eve was fashioned
as his wife, in this way, to the determinate figure of the first
and old Adam, who according to the Apostle is a type of the one
who was to come, the truth might correspond in our last Adam, that
is to say in Christ." (Council of Vienne)
"The
Eternal Shepherd and guardian of our souls, in order to render
permanent the saving work of redemption, determined to build a
Church in which, as in the house of the living God, all the
faithful should be linked by the bond of one faith and charity.
Therefore, before He was glorified, he besought His Father, not
for the apostles only, but also for those who were to believe in
Him through their word, that they all might be one as the Son
Himself and the Father are one. So then, just as He sent apostles,
whom He chose out of the world, even as He had been sent by the
Father, in like manner it was His will that in His Church there
should be shepherds and teachers until the end of time. In order,
then, that the episcopal office should be one and undivided and
that, by the union of the clergy, the whole multitude of believers
should be held together in the unity of faith and communion, He
set blessed Peter over the rest of the apostles and instituted in
him the permanent principle of both unities and their visible
foundation. Upon the strength of this foundation was to be built
the eternal temple, and the Church whose topmost part reaches
heaven was to rise upon the firmness of this foundation."
(First Vatican Council)
"Hence
it is that in this proper object of her mission, that is, 'in
faith and morals, God Himself has made the Church sharer in the
divine magisterium and, by a special privilege, granted her
immunity from error; hence she is the mistress of men, supreme and
absolutely sure, and she has inherent in herself an inviolable
right to freedom in teaching.' By necessary consequence the Church
is independent of any sort of earthly power as well in the origin
as in the exercise of her mission as educator, not merely in
regard to her proper end and object, but also in regard to the
means necessary and suitable to attain that end. Hence with regard
to every other kind of human learning and instruction, which is
the common patrimony of individuals and society, the Church has an
independent right to make use of it, and above all to decide what
may help or harm Christian education. And this must be so, because
the Church as a perfect society has an independent right to the
means conducive to its end, and because every form of instruction,
no less than every human action, has a necessary connection with
man's last end, and therefore cannot be withdrawn from the
dictates of the divine law, of which the Church is guardian,
interpreter and infallible mistress." (Pope Pius XI, "Divini
Illius Magistri", 1929 A.D.)
"As
for what concerns the exterior and temporal prosperity of the
Church, it is evident that she has to cope with most malicious and
powerful adversaries. Too often has she suffered at their hands
the abolition of her rights, the diminution and oppression of her
liberties, scorn and affronts to her authority, and every
conceivable outrage. And if in their wickedness her enemies have
not accomplished all the injury they had resolved upon and striven
to do, they nevertheless seem to go on unchecked. But, despite
them the Church, amidst all these conflicts, will always stand out
and increase in greatness and glory. Nor can human reason rightly
understand why evil, apparently so dominant, should yet be so
restricted as regards its results; whilst the Church, driven into
straits, comes forth glorious and triumphant. And she ever remains
more steadfast in virtue because she draws men to the acquisition
of the ultimate good. And since this is her mission, her prayers
must have much power to effect the end and purpose of God's
providential and merciful designs towards men. Thus, when men pray
with and through the Church, they at length obtain what Almighty
God has designed from all eternity to bestow upon mankind." (Pope Leo XIII, "Octobri Mense",
1891 A.D.)
"Hence
We are not, and cannot be anxious on account of the Church, but We
greatly fear for the salvation of very many, who proudly despise
the Church, and by every kind of error rush to ruin; We are
concerned for those States which We cannot but see are turned from
God and sleeping in the midst of danger in dull security and
insensibility. 'Nothing is equal to the Church;' [says St. John
Chrysostom,] 'how many have opposed the Church and have themselves
perished? The Church reaches to the heavens; such is the Church's
greatness. She conquers when attacked; when beset by snares she
triumphs; she struggles and is not overthrown, she fights and is
not conquered.' Not only is she not conquered, but she preserves
that corrective power over nature, and that effective strength of
life that springs from God Himself, and is unchanged by time. And,
if by this power she has freed the world grown old in vice and
lost in superstition, why should she not again recover it when
gone astray? Let strife and suspicion at length cease, let all
obstacles be removed, give the possession of all her rights to the
Church, whose duty it is to guard and spread abroad the benefits
gained by Jesus Christ, then We shall know by experience, where
the light of the Gospel is, and what the power of Christ can
do." (Pope Leo XIII, "Exeunte Iam Anno", 1888 A.D.)
"Again
it is the inalienable right as well as the indispensable duty of
the Church, to watch over the entire education of her children, in
all institutions, public or private, not merely in regard to the
religious instruction there given, but in regard to every other
branch of learning and every regulation in so far as religion and
morality are concerned. Nor should the exercise of this right be
considered undue interference, but rather maternal care on the
part of the Church in protecting her children from the grave
danger of all kinds of doctrinal and moral evil. Moreover this
watchfulness of the Church not merely can create no real
inconvenience, but must on the contrary confer valuable assistance
in the right ordering and well-being of families and of civil
society; for it keeps far away from youth the moral poison which
at that inexperienced and changeable age more easily penetrates
the mind and more rapidly spreads its baneful effects. For it is
true, as Leo XIII has wisely pointed out, that without proper
religious and moral instruction 'every form of intellectual
culture will be injurious; for young people not accustomed to
respect God, will be unable to bear the restraint of a virtuous
life, and never having learned to deny themselves anything. they
will easily be incited to disturb the public order.'" (Pope
Pius XI, "Divini Illius Magistri", 1929 A.D.)
"And
first of all education belongs preeminently to the Church, by
reason of a double title in the supernatural order, conferred
exclusively upon her by God Himself; absolutely superior therefore
to any other title in the natural order. The first title is
founded upon the express mission and supreme authority to teach,
given her by her divine Founder: 'All power is given to me in
heaven and in earth. Going therefore teach ye all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you, and behold I am with you all days, even to the
consummation of the world.' Upon this magisterial office Christ
conferred infallibility, together with the command to teach His
doctrine. Hence the Church 'was set by her divine Author as the
pillar and ground of truth, in order to teach the divine Faith to
men, and keep whole and inviolate the deposit confided to her; to
direct and fashion men, in all their actions individually and
socially, to purity of morals and integrity of life, in accordance
with revealed doctrine.' The second title is the supernatural
motherhood, in virtue of which the Church, spotless spouse of
Christ, generates, nurtures and educates souls in the divine life
of grace, with her Sacraments and her doctrine. With good reason
then does St. Augustine maintain: 'He has not God for father who
refuses to have the Church as mother.'" (Pope Pius XI, "Divini
Illius Magistri", 1929 A.D.)
"But this supremacy of
man, which openly rejects Christ, or at least ignores Him, is
entirely founded upon selfishness, knowing neither charity nor
self-devotion. Man may indeed be king, through Jesus Christ: but
only on condition that he first of all obey God, and diligently
seek his rule of life in God's law. By the law of Christ we mean
not only the natural precepts of morality and the Ancient Law, all
of which Jesus Christ has perfected and crowned by His
declaration, explanation and sanction; but also the rest of His
doctrine and His own peculiar institutions. Of these the chief is
His Church. Indeed whatsoever things Christ has instituted are
most fully contained in His Church. Moreover, He willed to
perpetuate the office assigned to Him by His Father by means of
the ministry of the Church so gloriously founded by Himself. On
the one hand He confided to her all the means of men's salvation,
on the other He most solemnly commanded men to be subject to her
and to obey her diligently, and to follow her even as Himself: 'He
that heareth you, heareth Me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth
Me' (Luke x, 16). Wherefore the law of Christ must be sought in
the Church. Christ is man's 'Way'; the Church also is his 'Way' -
Christ of Himself and by His very nature, the Church by His
commission and the communication of His power. Hence all who would
find salvation apart from the Church, are led astray and strive in
vain." (Pope Leo XIII, "Tametsi Futura Prospicientibus",
1900 A.D.)
"Like
her divine Head, the Church is forever present in the midst of her
children. She aids and exhorts them to holiness, so that they may
one day return to the Father in heaven clothed in that beauteous
raiment of the supernatural. To all who are born to life on earth
she gives a second, supernatural kind of birth. She arms them with
the Holy Spirit for the struggle against the implacable enemy. She
gathers all Christians [Catholics] about her altars, inviting and urging them
repeatedly to take part in the celebration of the Mass, feeding
them with the Bread of angels to make them ever stronger. She
purifies and consoles the hearts that sin has wounded and soiled.
Solemnly she consecrates those whom God has called to the priestly
ministry. She fortifies with new gifts of grace the chaste
nuptials of those who are destined to found and bring up a
Christian family. When at last she has soothed and refreshed the
closing hours of this earthly life by holy Viaticum and extreme
unction, with the utmost affection she accompanies the mortal
remains of her children to the grave, lays them reverently to
rest, and confides them to the protection of the cross, against
the day when they will triumph over death and rise again. She has
a further solemn blessing and invocation for those of her children
who dedicate themselves to the service of God in the life of
religious perfection. Finally, she extends to the souls in
purgatory, who implore her intercession and her prayers, the
helping hand which may lead them happily at last to eternal
blessedness in heaven." (Pope Pius XII, "Mediator
Dei", 1947 A.D.)
"After
(all these) prophetic and evangelical and apostolic writings
(which we have set forth above), on which the Catholic Church by
the grace of God is founded, we have thought this (fact) also
ought to be published, namely that, although the universal
Catholic Church spread throughout the world has the one marriage
of Christ, nevertheless the holy Roman Church has not been
preferred to the other churches* by reason of synodical decrees,
but she has held the primacy by the evangelical voice of the Lord
and Savior saying: Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build
my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, and
I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and
whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in
heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be
loosed also in heaven [Matt. 16:18 f.]. There is added also the
association of the most blessed Paul the Apostle, the vessel of
election, who not at a different time, as the heretics say, but at
the one time, on one and the same day, while contending for the
prize together with Peter was crowned with a glorious death under
Caesar Nero in the City of Rome; and equally have they consecrated
the above-mentioned Church of Rome to Christ the Lord and have
raised it above all other cities in the whole world by their
presence and their venerable triumph. Accordingly the see of Peter
the Apostle of the Church of Rome is first, having neither spot,
nor wrinkle, nor anything of this kind [Eph. 5:27]. But the second
see at Alexandria was consecrated in the name of blessed Peter by
Mark his disciple and evangelist... but the third in honor is
considered the see of the most blessed Apostle Peter at
Antioch." (Pope St. Gelasius I, 495 A.D.)
[* Note: The term 'churches' herein refers to various parts of
the Catholic Church. For more information on the term 'church', click
here (Church Talk Section: "A Note Regarding the Term
'Church''")]
"Consider,
most dear ones, that the Truth could not have lied, nor will the
faith of Peter be able to be shaken or changed forever. For
although the devil desired to sift all the disciples, the Lord
testifies that He Himself asked for Peter alone and wished the
others to be confirmed by him; and to him also, in consideration
of a greater love which he showed the Lord before the rest, was
committed the care of feeding the sheep [cf. John 21:15 ff.]; and
to him also He handed over the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and
upon him He promised to build his Church, and He testified that
the gates of hell would not prevail against it [cf. Matt. 16:16
ff.]. But, because the enemy of the human race even until the end
of the world does not abstain from sowing cockle [Matt. 13:25]
over the good seed in the Church of the Lord, and therefore, lest
perchance anyone with malignant zeal should by the instigation of
the devil presume to make some alterations in and to draw
conclusions regarding the integrity of the faith - and (lest) by
reason of this your minds perhaps may seem to be disturbed, we
have judged it necessary through our present epistle to exhort
with tears that you should return to the heart of your mother the
Church, and to send you satisfaction with regard to the integrity
of faith... If anyone, however, either suggests or believes or
presumes to teach contrary to this faith, let him know that he is
condemned and also anathematized according to the opinion of the
same Fathers... Consider (therefore) the fact that whoever has not
been in the peace and unity of the Church, cannot have the Lord
[cf. Gal. 3:7]..." (Pope Pelagius II,
c. 585 A.D.)
"Now,
who would make bold to deny that the Church, by spreading the
Gospel throughout the nations, has brought the light of truth
amongst people utterly savage and steeped in foul superstition,
and has quickened them alike to recognize the Divine Author of
nature and duly to respect themselves? Further, who will deny that
the Church has done away with the curse of slavery and restored
men to the original dignity of their noble nature; and - by
uplifting the standard of redemption in all quarters of the globe,
by introducing, or shielding under her protection, the sciences
and arts, by founding and taking into her keeping excellent
charitable institutions which provide relief for ills of every
kind - has throughout the world, in private or in public life,
civilized the human race, freed it from degradation, and with all
care trained it to a way of Living such as befits the dignity and
the hopes of man? And if any one of sound mind compare the age in
which We live, so hostile to religion and to the Church of Christ,
with those happy times when the Church was revered as a mother by
the nations, beyond all question he will see that our epoch is
rushing wildly along the straight road to destruction; while in
those times which most abounded in excellent institutions,
peaceful life, wealth, and prosperity the people showed themselves
most obedient to the Church's rule and laws. Therefore, if the
many blessings We have mentioned, due to the agency and saving
help of the Church, are the true and worthy outcome of
civilization, the Church of Christ, far from being alien to or
neglectful of progress, has a just claim to all men's praise as
its nurse, its mistress, and its mother." (Pope Leo XIII,
"Inscrutabili Dei Consilio", 1878 A.D.)
"But
with no less religious care must we preserve that great and sacred
treasure of the truths which God Himself has taught us. By many
and convincing arguments, often used by defenders of Christianity,
certain leading truths have been laid down: namely, that some
things have been revealed by God; that the only-begotten Son of
God was made flesh, to bear witness to the truth; that a perfect
society was founded by Him - the Church, namely, of which He is
the head, and with which He has promised to abide till the end of
the world. To this society He entrusted all the truths which He
had taught, in order that it might keep and guard them and with
lawful authority explain them; and at the same time He commanded
all nations to hear the voice of the Church, as if it were His
own, threatening those who would not hear it with everlasting
perdition. Thus, it is manifest that man's best and surest teacher
is God, the Source and Principle of all truth; and the
only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, the Way, the
Truth, and the Life, the true Light which enlightens every man,
and to whose teaching all must submit: 'And they shall all be
taught of God.' In faith and in the teaching of morality, God
Himself made the Church a partaker of His divine authority, and
through His heavenly gift she cannot be deceived. She is therefore
the greatest and most reliable teacher of mankind, and in her
swells an inviolable right to teach them. Sustained by the truth
received from her divine Founder, the Church has ever sought to
fulfill holily the mission entrusted to her by God; unconquered by
the difficulties on all sides surrounding her, she has never
ceased to assert her liberty of teaching, and in this way the
wretched superstition of paganism being dispelled, the wide world
was renewed unto Christian wisdom." (Pope Leo XIII, "Libertas
Praestantissimum", 1888 A.D.)
"From
this it follows that The Church is not something dead: it is the
body of Christ endowed with supernatural life. As Christ, the Head
and Exemplar, is not wholly in His visible human nature, which
Photinians and Nestorians assert, nor wholly in the invisible
divine nature, as the Monophysites hold, but is one, from and in
both natures, visible and invisible; so the mystical body of
Christ is the true Church, only because its visible parts draw
life and power from the supernatural gifts and other things whence
spring their very nature and essence. But since the Church is such
by divine will and constitution, such it must uniformly remain to
the end of time. If it did nor, then it would not have been
founded as perpetual, and the end set before it would have been
limited to some certain place and to some certain period of time;
both of which are contrary to the truth. The union consequently of
visible and invisible elements because it harmonizes with the
natural order and by God's will belongs to the very essence of the
Church, must necessarily remain so long as the Church itself shall
endure. Wherefore Chrysostom writes: 'Secede not from the Church:
for nothing is stronger than the Church. Thy hope is the Church;
thy salvation is the Church; thy refuge is the Church. It is
higher than the heavens and wider than the earth. It never grows
old, but is ever full of vigor. Wherefore Holy Writ pointing to
its strength and stability calls it a mountain' (Hom. De capto
Eutropio, n. 6). Also Augustine says: 'Unbelievers think that the
Christian religion will last for a certain period in the world and
will then disappear. But it will remain as long as the sun - as long
as the sun rises and sets: that is, as long as the ages of time
shall roll, the Church of God - the true body of Christ on earth -
will not disappear' (In Psalm. lxx., n. 8)." (Pope Leo
XIII, "Satis Cognitum", 1896 A.D.)
"Do you not think that a keen interest for human
welfare is shown, not only in this, that many philosophers
maintain that neither earth nor fire nor aught else within the
range of sense should be worshipped as God - the only path to whom
lies through the mind - but in the fact that an untaught multitude
of men and women in so many different nations makes profession of
its belief in the same truth? Witness an abstinence from food
contenting itself with a meager diet of bread and water, fast not
for a day but continued through many days. Witness a chastity so
perfect as to be indifferent to wedlock and offspring, an enduring
patience that scorns crucifixion and the stake, liberality that
divides fortunes among the poor, in short, a contempt so intense
of everything worldly as even to yearn for death. Not many do
these things, fewer are they that do them well and wisely; but
whole peoples approve, applaud, favor, aye, love such conduct. Nor
is it without a closer approach of the mind to God, not without
some spark of virtue, that whole peoples avow themselves too
feeble to mount so high. This marvel has Divine Providence wrought
by the oracles of the prophets, by the Incarnation and teaching of
Christ, by the journeys of the Apostles, by the affronts and
crosses and life-blood and death of martyrs, by the saintly lives
we boast, and in all this can be discerned miracles suited to the
needs of the time and worthy of such achievements and such
virtues. Seeing, then, as we do such marked assistance from God,
so much progress and fruit, shall we hesitate to nestle in the
bosom of that Church which, as the human race confesses, stands a
pillar of authority derived from the Apostolic See whereon
successive Bishops have sat enthroned, while the rebel cry of
heresy has been condemned in part by the popular voice, in part by
the judgment of Councils, in part too by the majestic utterance of
miracles?" (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)
"Our
most beloved Redeemer, Christ the Lord, willed as you well know,
venerable brothers, to deliver all men from the captivity of the
devil, free them from the yoke of sin, call them from darkness
into his wonderful light and be their salvation. When he had
blotted out the handwriting of the decree against us, fastening it
to the cross, he formed and established the Catholic Church, won
by his blood, as the one 'Church of the living God,' the one
'kingdom of heaven,' 'the city set on a hill,' 'one flock,' and
'one body' steadfast and alive with 'one Spirit,' one faith, one
hope, one love joined and firmly held together by the same bonds
of sacraments, religion and doctrine. He further provided his
Church with leaders whom he chose and called. In addition, he
decreed that the Church will endure as long as the world, embrace
all peoples and nations of the whole world, and that whoever
accepts his divine religion and grace and perseveres to the end
will attain the glory of eternal salvation. To preserve forever in
his Church the unity and doctrine of this faith, Christ chose one
of his apostles, Peter, whom he appointed the Prince of his
Apostles, his Vicar on earth, and impregnable foundation and head
of his Church. Surpassing all others with every dignity of
extraordinary authority, power and jurisdiction, he was to feed
the Lord's flock, strengthen his brothers, rule and govern the
universal Church. Christ not only desired that his Church remain
as one and immaculate to the end of the world, and that its unity
in faith, doctrine and form of government remain inviolate. He
also willed that the fullness of dignity, power and jurisdiction,
integrity and stability of faith given to Peter be handed down in
its entirety to the Roman Pontiffs, the successors of this same
Peter, who have been placed on this Chair of Peter in Rome, and to
whom has been divinely committed the supreme care of the Lord's
entire flock and the supreme rule of the Universal Church."
(Pope Pius IX, "Amantissimus", 1862 A.D.)
"But
how many wonderful and shining proofs are ready at hand to
convince the human reason in the clearest way that the religion of
Christ is divine and that 'the whole principle of our doctrines
has taken root from the Lord of the heavens above'; therefore
nothing exists more definite, more settled or more holy than our
faith, which rests on the strongest foundations. This faith, which
teaches for life and points towards salvation, which casts out all
vices and is the fruitful mother and nurse of the virtues, has
been established by the birth, life, death, resurrection, wisdom,
wonders and prophecies of Christ Jesus, its divine author and
perfector! Shining forth in all directions with the light of
teaching from on high and enriched with the treasures of heavenly
wealth, this faith grew famed and notable by the foretellings of
so many prophets, the lustre of so many miracles, the
steadfastness of so many martyrs, and the glory of so many saints!
It made known the saving laws of Christ and, gaining in strength
daily even when it was most cruelly persecuted, it made its way
over the whole world by land and sea, from the sun's rising to its
setting, under the single standard of the Cross! The deceit of
idols was cast down and the mist of errors was scattered. By the
defeat of all kinds of enemies, this faith enlightened with divine
knowledge all peoples, races and nations, no matter how barbarous
and savage, or how different in character, morals, laws and ways
of life. It brought them under the sweet yoke of Christ Himself by
proclaiming peace and good tidings to all men! Now, surely all
these events shine with such divine wisdom and power that anyone
who considers them will easily understand that the Christian faith
is the work of God. Human reason knows clearly from these striking
and certain proofs that God is the author of this faith; therefore
it is unable to advance further but should offer all obedience to
this faith, casting aside completely every problem and hesitation.
Human reason is convinced that it is God who has given everything
the faith proposes to men for belief and behavior." (Pope
Pius IX, "Qui Pluribus", 1846 A.D.)
"Never
will there be grief enough over the corruption of morals so
extensively increasing and promoted by irreligious and obscene
writings, theatrical spectacles and meretricious houses
established almost everywhere; by other depraved arts and
monstrous portents of every error disseminated in all directions;
by the abominable impurities of all vices and crimes growing
constantly and the deadly virus of unbelief and indifferentism
spread far and wide; by contempt for ecclesiastical authority,
sacred things, and laws and by the outrageous plundering of Church
possessions; by the bitter and constant abuse of consecrated
Church officials, of the students of religious communities, of
virgins dedicated to God; by the diabolical hatred of Christ, his
Church, teaching, and of this Apostolic See. These and almost
innumerable other evils perpetrated by the embittered enemies of
the Catholic Church and faith, we are daily compelled to lament.
All these agonies seem to prolong and delay that most yearned for
time when we shall see the full triumph of our most holy religion,
of justice, and of truth. This triumph cannot fail us, however,
even if it is not given us to know the time destined for it by
almighty God. Even though our heavenly Father permits his holy
Church to be afflicted and plagued by various tribulations and
distresses while serving during this most miserable and earthly
pilgrimage, nevertheless, because it has been founded by Christ,
the Lord, upon an immovable and most firm rock, it cannot be
shaken or overthrown by any force or violence. Rather, 'it is
strengthened, not weakened by persecutions. The Lord's vineyard is
always clothed with a richer harvest, for while each grain dies
singly, it is born again many-fold.' That is what we see
happening, beloved sons and venerable brothers, even in these most
sorrowful times as a special blessing from God. For although the
immaculate Spouse of Christ may be vehemently troubled at the
present time by the work of the wicked, yet she is triumphing over
her enemies. Yes, indeed, she is conquering her enemies and shines
wonderfully bright with your unparalleled faithfulness, love, and
respect towards us and this Chair of Peter, and with your
outstanding constancy and that of the other venerable brothers,
the bishops of the whole Catholic world. She shines with many
pious works of Christian charity multiplying rapidly each day;
with the light of blessed faith illuminating many regions evermore
each day; with the exceptional love and devotion shown by
Catholics towards the Church itself, towards us, and this Holy
See; with the eminent and immortal glory of martyrdom." (Pope Pius
IX, "Quanto Conficiamur Moerore", 1863 A.D.)
"Amid
such reckless and widespread folly of opinion, it is, as We have
said, the office of the Church to undertake the defense of truth
and uproot errors from the mind, and this charge has to be at all
times sacredly observed by her, seeing that the honor of God and
the salvation of men are confided to her keeping. But, when
necessity compels, not those only who are invested with power of
rule are bound to safeguard the integrity of faith, but, as St.
Thomas maintains: 'Each one is under obligation to show forth his
faith, either to instruct and encourage others of the faithful, or
to repel the attacks of unbelievers.' To recoil before an enemy,
or to keep silence when from all sides such clamors are raised
against truth, is the part of a man either devoid of character or
who entertains doubt as to the truth of what he professes to
believe. In both cases such mode of behaving is base and is
insulting to God, and both are incompatible with the salvation of
mankind. This kind of conduct is profitable only to the enemies of
the faith, for nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack
of courage on the part of the good. Moreover, want of vigor on the
part of Christians is so much the more blameworthy, as not seldom
little would be needed on their part to bring to naught false
charges and refute erroneous opinions, and by always exerting
themselves more strenuously they might reckon upon being
successful. After all, no one can be prevented from putting forth
that strength of soul which is the characteristic of true
Christians, and very frequently by such display of courage our
enemies lose heart and their designs are thwarted. Christians are,
moreover, born for combat, whereof the greater the vehemence, the
more assured, God aiding, the triumph: 'Have confidence; I have
overcome the world.' Nor is there any ground for alleging that
Jesus Christ, the Guardian and Champion of the Church, needs not
in any manner the help of men. Power certainly is not wanting to
Him, but in His loving kindness He would assign to us a share in
obtaining and applying the fruits of salvation procured through
His grace. The chief elements of this duty consist in professing
openly and unflinchingly the Catholic doctrine, and in propagating
it to the utmost of our power. For, as is often said, with the
greatest truth, there is nothing so hurtful to Christian wisdom as
that it should not be known, since it possesses, when loyally
received, inherent power to drive away error. So soon as Catholic
truth is apprehended by a simple and unprejudiced soul, reason
yields assent." (Pope Leo XIII, "Sapientiae Christianae",
1890 A.D.)
"Union
with the Roman See of Peter is to [St. Jerome] always the public
criterion of a Catholic. 'I acknowledge everyone who is united
with the See of Peter' (Ep. xvi., ad Damasum, n. 2). And for a
like reason St. Augustine publicly attests that, 'the primacy of
the Apostolic chair always existed in the Roman Church' (Ep. xliii.,
n. 7); and he denies that anyone who dissents from the Roman faith
can be a Catholic. 'You are not to be looked upon as holding the
true Catholic faith if you do not teach that the faith of Rome is
to be held' (Sermo cxx., n. 13). So, too, St. Cyprian: 'To be in
communion with Cornelius [the pope] is to be in communion with the
Catholic Church' (Ep. lv., n. 1). In the same way Maximus the
Abbot teaches that obedience to the Roman Pontiff is the proof of
the true faith and of legitimate communion. 'Therefore if a man
does not want to be, or to be called, a heretic, let him not
strive to please this or that man...but let him hasten before all
things to be in communion with the Roman See. If he be in
communion with it, he should be acknowledged by all and everywhere
as faithful and orthodox. He speaks in vain who tries to persuade
me of the orthodoxy of those who, like himself, refuse obedience
to his Holiness the Pope of the most holy Church of Rome: that is
to the Apostolic See.' The reason and motive of this he explains
to be that 'the Apostolic See has received and hath government,
authority, and power of binding and loosing from the Incarnate
Word Himself; and, according to all holy synods, sacred canons and
decrees, in all things and through all things, in respect of all
the holy churches of God throughout the whole world*, since the
Word in Heaven who rules the Heavenly powers binds and loosens
there' (Defloratio ex Epistola ad Petrum illustrem). Wherefore
what was acknowledged and observed as Christian faith, not by one
nation only nor in one age, but by the East and by the West, and
through all ages, this Philip, the priest, the Pontifical legate
at the Council of Ephesus, no voice being raised in dissent,
recalls: 'No one can doubt, yea, it is known unto all ages, that
St. Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, the pillar of the faith and
the ground of the Catholic Church, received the keys of the
Kingdom from Our Lord Jesus Christ. That is: the power of
forgiving and retaining sins was given to him who, up to the
present time, lives and exercises judgment in the persons of his
successors' (Actio iii.). The pronouncement of the Council of
Chalcedon on the same matter is present to the minds of all:
'Peter has spoken through Leo' (Actio ii.), to which the voice of
the Third Council of Constantinople responds as an echo: 'The
chief Prince of the Apostles was fighting on our side: for we have
had as our ally his follower and the successor to his See: and the
paper and the ink were seen, and Peter spoke through Agatho' (Actio
xviii.). In the formula of Catholic faith drawn up and proposed by
Hormisdas, which was subscribed at the beginning of the sixth
century in the great Eighth Council by the Emperor Justinian, by
Epiphanius, John and Menna, the Patriarchs, this same is declared
with great weight and solemnity. 'For the pronouncement of Our
Lord Jesus Christ saying: 'Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I
will build my Church...' cannot be passed over. What is said is
proved by the result, because Catholic faith has always been
preserved without stain in the Apostolic See' (Post Epistolam,
xxvi., ad omnes Episc. Hispan., n. 4). We have no wish to quote
every available declaration; but it is well to recall the formula
of faith which Michael Paleologus professed in the Second Council
of Lyons: 'The same holy Roman Church possesses the sovereign and
plenary primacy and authority over the whole Catholic Church,
which, truly and humbly, it acknowledges to have received together
with the plenitude of power from the Lord Himself, in the person
of St. Peter, the Prince or Head of the Apostles, of whom the
Roman Pontiff is the successor. And as it is bound to defend the
truth of faith beyond all others, so also if any question should
arise concerning the faith it must be determined by its judgment'
(Actio iv.)." (Pope Leo XIII, "Satis Cognitum",
1896 A.D.) [* Note: The term 'churches' herein refers to
various parts of the Catholic Church. For more information on the
term 'church', click
here (Church Talk Section: "A Note Regarding the Term
'Church''")]
"But
when we consider what was actually done we find that Jesus Christ
did not, in point of fact, institute a Church to embrace several
communities similar in nature, but in themselves distinct, and
lacking those bonds which render the Church unique and indivisible
after that manner in which in the symbol of our faith we profess: 'I
believe in one Church.' ... For this reason Christ, speaking of the
mystical edifice, mentions only one Church, which he calls His own -
'I will build my church;' any other Church except this one, since it
has not been founded by Christ, cannot be the true Church... The
Church, therefore, is bound to communicate without stint to all men,
and to transmit through all ages, the salvation effected by Jesus
Christ, and the blessings flowing therefrom. Wherefore, by the will
of its Founder, it is necessary that this Church should be one in
all lands and at all times... The Church of Christ, therefore, is
one and the same for ever; those who leave it depart from the will
and command of Christ, the Lord - leaving the path of salvation they
enter on that of perdition. 'Whosoever is separated from the
Church is united to an adulteress. He has cut himself off from the
promises of the Church, and he who leaves the Church of Christ
cannot arrive at the rewards of Christ...He who observes not this
unity observes not the law of God, holds not the faith of the Father
and the Son, clings not to life and salvation' (S. Cyprianus,
De Cath. Eccl. Unitate, n. 6). But He, indeed, Who made this one
Church, also gave it unity, that is, He made it such that all who
are to belong to it must be united by the closest bonds, so as to
form one society, one kingdom, one body - 'one body and one
spirit as you are called in one hope of your calling (Eph. iv.,
4)... Agreement and union of minds is the necessary foundation of
this perfect concord amongst men, from which concurrence of wills
and similarity of action are the natural results... Besides Holy
Writ it was absolutely necessary to insure this union of men's minds
- to effect and preserve unity of ideas - that there should be
another principle. This the wisdom of God requires: for He could not
have willed that the faith should be one if He did not provide means
sufficient for the preservation of this unity; and this Holy Writ
clearly sets forth... Wherefore, as appears from what has been said,
Christ instituted in the Church a living, authoritative and
permanent Magisterium, which by His own power He strengthened, by
the Spirit of truth He taught, and by miracles confirmed. He willed
and ordered, under the gravest penalties, that its teachings should
be received as if they were His own... It is then undoubtedly the
office of the Church to guard Christian doctrine and to propagate it
in its integrity and purity. But this is not all: the object for
which the Church has been instituted is not wholly attained by the
performance of this duty. For, since Jesus Christ delivered Himself
up for the salvation of the human race, and to this end directed all
His teaching and commands, so He ordered the Church to strive, by
the truth of its doctrine, to sanctify and to save mankind. But
faith alone cannot compass so great, excellent, and important an
end. There must needs be also the fitting and devout worship of God,
which is to be found chiefly in the divine [Eucharistic] Sacrifice
and in the dispensation of the Sacraments, as well as salutary laws
and discipline. All these must be found in the Church, since it
continues the mission of the Savior forever. The Church alone offers
to the human race that religion - that state of absolute perfection
- which He wished, as it were, to be incorporated in it. And it
alone supplies those means of salvation which accord with the
ordinary counsels of Providence. But as this heavenly doctrine was
never left to the arbitrary judgment of private individuals, but, in
the beginning delivered by Jesus Christ, was afterwards committed by
Him exclusively to the Magisterium already named, so the power of
performing and administering the divine mysteries, together with the
authority of ruling and governing, was not bestowed by God on all
Christians indiscriminately, but on certain chosen persons. For to
the Apostles and their legitimate successors alone these words have
reference: 'Going into the whole world preach the Gospel.' 'Baptizing them.'
'Do this in commemoration of
Me.' 'Whose sins you shall forgive they are forgiven
them.' And in like manner He ordered the Apostles only and
those who should lawfully succeed them to feed - that is to govern
with authority - all Christian souls. Whence it also follows that it
is necessarily the duty of Christians to be subject and to obey. And
these duties of the Apostolic office are, in general, all included
in the words of St. Paul: 'Let a man so account of us as of the
ministers of Christ, and the dispensers of the mysteries of
God' (I Cor. iv., I). Wherefore Jesus Christ bade all men,
present and future, follow Him as their leader and Savior; and this,
not merely as individuals, but as forming a society, organized and
united in mind. In this way a duly constituted society should exist,
formed out of the divided multitude of peoples, one in faith, one in
end, one in the participation of the means adapted to the attainment
of the end, and one as subject to one and the same authority. To
this end He established in the Church all principles which
necessarily tend to make organized human societies, and through
which they attain the perfection proper to each. That is, in it (the
Church), all who wished to be the sons of God by adoption might
attain to the perfection demanded by their high calling, and might
obtain salvation. The Church, therefore, as we have said, is man's
guide to whatever pertains to Heaven. This is the office appointed
unto it by God: that it may watch over and may order all that
concerns religion, and may, without let or hindrance, exercise,
according to its judgment, its charge over Christianity... Therefore
the Church is a society divine in its origin, supernatural in its
end and in means proximately adapted to the attainment of that end;
but it is a human community inasmuch as it is composed of men. For
this reason we find it called in Holy Writ by names indicating a
perfect society. It is spoken of as the House of God, the city
placed upon the mountain to which all nations must come. But it is
also the fold presided over by one Shepherd, and into which all
Christ's sheep must betake themselves. Yea, it is called the kingdom
which God has raised up and which will stand forever. Finally it is
the body of Christ - that is, of course, His mystical body, but a
body living and duly organized and composed of many members; members
indeed which have not all the same functions, but which, united one
to the other, are kept bound together by the guidance and authority
of the head. Indeed no true and perfect human society can be
conceived which is not governed by some supreme authority. Christ
therefore must have given to His Church a supreme authority to which
all Christians must render obedience. For this reason, as the unity
of the faith is of necessity required for the unity of the Church,
inasmuch as it is the body of the faithful, so also for this same
unity, inasmuch as the Church is a divinely constituted society,
unity of government, which effects and involves unity of communion,
is necessary jure divino...The nature of this supreme authority,
which all Christians are bound to obey, can be ascertained only by
finding out what was the evident and positive will of Christ.
Certainly Christ is a King forever; and though invisible, He
continues unto the end of time to govern and guard His Church from
Heaven. But since He willed that His kingdom should be visible He
was obliged, when He ascended into Heaven, to designate a
vice-regent on earth.... Jesus Christ, therefore, appointed
Peter to be that head of the Church; and He also determined that the
authority instituted in perpetuity for the salvation of all should
be inherited by His successors, in whom the same permanent authority
of Peter himself should continue. And so He made that remarkable
promise to Peter and to no one else: 'Thou are Peter, and upon
this rock I will build my church' (Matt. xvi., 18)... From this
text it is clear that by the will and command of God the Church
rests upon St. Peter, just as a building rests on its foundation.
Now the proper nature of a foundation is to be a principle of
cohesion for the various parts of the building. It must be the
necessary condition of stability and strength. Remove it and the
whole building falls. It is consequently the office of St. Peter to
support the Church, and to guard it in all its strength and
indestructible unity... [St. Peter] alone was designated as the
foundation of the Church. To him He gave the power of binding and
loosing; to him alone was given the power of feeding... [T]he
authority of the Roman Pontiff is supreme, universal, independent;
that of the bishops limited, and dependent." (Pope Leo XIII, "Satis
Cognitum", 1900 A.D.)
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