The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

"PRIMACY OF PETER. 131The reason commonly alleged for disputing thiawell-attested event, is that the Acts of the Apostleamake no mention of Peter s labors and martyrdomin Rome. For the same reason, we might deny thatSt. Paul was beheaded in Rome, that St. John diedin Ephesus, and that St. Andrew was crucified. TfceScripture is silent regarding these historical records,and yet they are denied by no one.The intrinsic evidence of St. Peter s first Epistle, thetestimony of his immediate successors in the ministry,as well as the avowal of eminent Protestant commentators, all concur in fixing the See of Peter in Rome.Babylon,"from which Peter addresses his firstEpistle, is understood by learned annotators, Protestant and Catholic, to refer to Rome, the wordBabylon being symbolical of the corruption thenprevailing in the city of the Csesars.Clement, the fourth Bishop of Rome, who iamentioned in terms of praise by St. Paul; St.Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, who died in 105;Irenseus, Origen, St. Jerome, Eusebius the great historian, and other eminent writers, testify to St. Peter sresidence in Rome; while no ancient ecclesiasticalwriter has ever contradicted the statement.John Calvin, a witness above suspicion, Cave, anable Anglican critic, Grotius, and other distinguishedProtestant writers, do not hesitate to re-echo theunanimous voice of Catholic tradition.Indeed, no historical fact will escape the shaftsof incredulity, if St. Peter s residence and gloriousmartyrdom in Rome are called in question.