The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

SUPREMACY OF THE POPES. 139confirmed all these eight by their authority.Beforebecoming a law, the acts of the Councils requiredthe Pope s signature, just as our Congressional proceedings require the President s signature before theyacquire the force of law.Is not this a striking illustration of the Primacy ?The Pope convenes, rules, and sanctions the Synods,not by courtesy, but by right.A dignitary whocalls an assembly together, who presides over its deliberations, whose signature is essential for confirmingits acts, has surely a higher authority than the othermembers.4. I shall refer to one more historical point in support of the Pope s jurisdiction over the whole Church.It is a most remarkable fact that every nationhitherto converted from Paganism to Christianity, sincethe days of the Apostles, has received the light of faithfrom missionaries who were either especially commissioned by the See of Rome, or sent by Bishops in opencommunion with that See. This historical fact admitsof no exception. Let me particularize:Ireland s Apostleis St. Patrick. Who commissicnedhim ?Pope St. Celestine, in the fifth century.St. Palladius is the Apostle of Scotland. Whogent him ? The same Pontiff, Celestine.The Anglo-Saxons received the faith from St,Augustine, a Benedictine monk, as all historiansCatholic and non-Catholic testify. Who empoweredAugustine to preach ? Pope Gregory I., at the endof the sixth century.