New-York tribune., 1874-07-06
ST. PETERS CHAIR.

Te Rev Father Fre St Peters Church Roman catho@'
Yesterday being the first Sunday after the
Feast OF ST. Peter Grand High Mass was celebrated at
St. Peters Church, the Rev. Father Coriey oincathg
The Rev Father OFarrel preached, ana he selected his
text for the sermon from Matt xvi 1919: when Jesus
came into the coasts Cesarea Phlipp he asked bis
disciples saying, Who DO men say that the Son OF man
am"
Last Sunday, said the pastor we saw what the Gospel
revealed 10 us concerning the dignity Of st. Peter
Christ made or promised, 10 make him the foundation
on which His Church be bnilt. lie changed his
TO Peter "a rOckl, and at the same time ne also
changed his nature AS God does not give names In
yain the almighty power of Christ gave Peter the
necessary power and strength will build and raise
my Church like lighthouse the waves may dash
against il, but vain. for II is built on rock Will
thee master. what thou shall bind loose on earth
sed this 20 Peter account OF his faith ana ued IL
account OF his love. He gave him MS entire flock 10
feed and watch both clergy and laty and to De
tDelr shepheru ana fIer ChIlst pr'yeu tnae - goSi
faith should not fan He did not offer the same prayer
for the other disciples though they be to exposed
10 the same temptations, but He said 20 him, When
thou art converted, tnen strengthen thy brethren
Peter mad special prerOgatve, special c0mmandOVer
the other apostles Here hlm the nist 70 make
the declaration OF faith. AL through the Gospel we ina
II who paws tribute for his Master he who hs
makes the declaration Of faith 10 Is ne who stands
first and asks for the appointment OF successor 10
Judas IL Peter who preached the first sermon and
first brought the Jews into the Church. IL he VINO
answered for al the apostles before the Jewish Judges
Where the authority OF the church has been called IN
question the Popes have been always lmmOvaOle, from
Peter down 20 Plus IA. History tells for l2n
the POpcs have been looked to because
they Peters They always presided
NJ councils ana the Eastern Pdtracns when tbey heard
the decision OF the Pope, said Peter hath spoken
through the mouth Of Leo or Agatha" &c. They were
implicitly Obeyed, not account OF their sauctty or
learning for many OF them Of letters, but
simply they sat IN St. Peters chair There were
many bishops more ulustrOns than the POpes, as ST.
Chry aud ST. Augusn Yet the latter took no
action TIL he Ted tue sanction from Rome. Rome
the center OF unity because the Pope was the sue
cessOr OF Peter anu Peter the founder OF the Church
shOps ana missionaries went forth 10 convert nations
aud all these got their inspiration from hOine. The
Bishops of Rome converted all the world 10 Christianity
Not only dd Rome keep the ath when the other sees
tell away, when Alexandria became the center OF
heresy when the sees OF COnstdntnUpie and Africa asO
seeded. but she preserved 1t for lScO years,
and during all that time no hereto ever
succeeded 10 the throne OF st. Peter Naen
kings wished to give reins 10 their PASSIONS ana
German and French Bishops were weak enough 10 give
way 70 them, there always an old man at Rome
ready protest against and oppose these vices IL was
POpes built universities ana schools, ana there
no fundamental law OF Christianity that has not had
its origin tue Councils OF Rome. To-day, When al
the world is leagued against Rome let Us stand
together and take hold Of the nand OF the Holy tdtncf
the waves hcresy aad nnlelty sweep away many
u.s. the DAYS LItAer, because they would NOT
stand by the side the Pope. We VIII be faithful ana
We take hold the nIId OF Plus * We know tuat
last link in the chain that Dnls Us 10 81 Peter