The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-03
ST. STEPHENS ROMAN CATHOLIC cHUat H.


The Authority Of st. Peter-His Divine Nis-
siOn-rhe Apostolic Power Perpetual-Ser-
mon by the Rev. DR.. AIcliIynn.
In the fashionable Church OF st. Stephen Twenty
eighth street and Third avenue is weekly assem-
bled congregation OF the Catholic elite of this city,
who reside In its uptown vicinage. Yesterday
morning more than usual array OF
persons OF both sexes OF the weather.
classes gathered within its walls TO assist at
the solemnizatioD OF High Mass the festival of the
day that Of Saints Peter and Paul. whose actual
anniversary Is on the Goth day OF June. In Catholic
countries 1t is the custom observe the latter day
as holiday, but here "in this
woRKDAY WESTERN wORLD''
as DR.. McGlynn expressed 1t, The special services
are held on the Sunday next following
the feast. The mass was beautifully sung
by the splendid choir. The sermon was
according 10 81. Mattnew-"ThOu art Peter, and
upon this rock Will build my church. and the gates
gentleman then proceeded to speak Of the deep sig
nicance which this act Of handing over the body of
the ialsnful TO the hands Of
LIVING LIEUTENANT
had, and the Immense responsibility which 1t en-
tailed. The words OF our Lord in this an eter.
nal answer to those who would deny the spiritual
II is related tina, few days before the Ascension
Christ addressed himself to Peter, and asked him,
protestatiOns on the dark night in Gethsemane,
answered hlmbly. ''Lord, thou knOwest that love
thee" But Peter had denied Him thrice, when He
was not until the question ''LOvest thou me9n was
thrice repeated that the Lord ever receiving the
reply OF humility and trust paused. Then He SAID,
Thus was Peter appointed shepherd OF His mock.
aas 's sas ,as sss as the 1 Sss
ger children OF the Church, those requiring
spiritual food; and the. sheep the elders, the
teachers the priests and even bishops OF the
Church. The Charge was not given to him over
part, but over all-"Feed my lambs; feed my
sheep" 1t is the well authenticated tradition OF
the Church that ST. Peter removed to Rome, and
from thence directed his pastoral care. Those
this power to be transmitted from hand to hand
through the succeeding generations answered by
the certainty that Christ built His church to endure
There Is no government In the wOrd-deSpOtlc, con-
sttutionally monarchic or democratic republican,
in which power over property and even over life Is
not centred. 1t is
THE NECESSITY OF GOVERNMENT
and any one who looks at the civil powers around
MIN In any country or IN any form Will observe some
one person or tribunal supreme in each. Thus Is the
succession OF the Papacy IN its Immense spiritual
power accounted for. And now, 1t is asked, cannot
pope do wrong? With much reluctance, must
answer-he may. Even to the query whether a
pope may lose his sOulS must repy-l would That
IT were impossible; hut, forced TO direct answer,
can only say he may. There may have been bad
popeS but does the sliding in the scale pr life lead
US TO infer that the sacred authority vested In him
is thereby vitiated or that he VIII
TEACH RELIGIOUS ERR0RS
MOI az All. ne may err IN matters OF worldly polly,
appoint the best bishop, but IN feeding the lambs
and sheep OF God VITA the high, heavenly mamma
his WORK must be as much perfection as the word OF
God Is eternal.
Such IS the reverence with which we must look
upon The Executive OF Heaven upon earth and IN
woke the blessing of the same Lord on him who
holds st. Peters seat and the whole cOngrega-
ton OF the faithful In his charge.