The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

150 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS.Christian liberties. The Popeis the official guardian of our religious constitution, as the Chief Justice is the guardian of our civil constitution.When a dispute arises in the Church regardingthe sense of Scripture, the subject is referred tothe Pope for final adjudication. The sovereignPontiff, before deciding the case, gathers aroundhim his venerable colleagues, the Cardinals of theChurch ;or he calls a council of his associate judgesof faith, the Bishops of Christendom ;or he has recourse to other lights which the Holy Ghost maysuggest to him. Then, after mature and prayerfuldeliberation, he pronounces judgment, and his sentence is final, irrevocable, and infallible.If the Catholic Church were not fortified by thisdivinely-established supreme tribunal, she would bebroken up like the sects around her into a thousandfragments, and religious anarchy would soon follow.But by means of this infallible court, her marvellous unity is preserved throughout the world. Thisdoctrine is the keystone in the arch of Catholicfaith, and, far from arousing opposition, it ought tocommand the unqualified admiration of every reflecting mind.These explanations being premised, let us nowbriefly consider the grounds of the doctrine itself.The following passages of the Gospel, spoken atdifferent times, were addressed exclusively to Peter:"Thou art Peter; and on this rock I will buildMy Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail