Canon Law by Fr. Mark Gantley (Hawaii Deacon Formation)

Papal Primacy & Infallibility

The Perennial Baltimore Catechism, in response to Q. 499, explains that “The Pope, the Bishop of Rome, is the visible Head of the Church because he is the successor of St. Peter, whom Christ made the chief of the Apostles and the visible Head of the Church.”

The CCC 882 further explicates that “The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, "is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful." "For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered."

As Catholics we know that people need to know truth (Jn 8:32; Jn 14:6; Jn 18:37) and that The Church is the Pillar of Truth, has authority, is visible, and is one (1 Tm 3:15; Mt 18:15-18; Jn 17:21) We also know, as Divinely revealed, that The the Pope is the Successor of St. Peter (The Church was built on St. Peter) (Mt 16:18 – 19)

In this Bible Study then we will clearly see the Divinely revealed Truth of the Authority of the visible Church, the Primacy of Peter (The first pope), passed on to his successors (successive popes), and the special charism of infallibility given to Peter and to those who eventually sit in his chair.

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CCC 765, 882

Jn 8:32; Jn 14:6; Jn 18:37; 1 Tm 3:15; Mt 18:15-18; Jn 17:21; Mt 16:18 – 19; Luke 22:31-32; Isaiah 22:22; Rev. 1:18; 3:7; 9:1; 20:1; 2 Sam. 7:16; Psalm 89:3-4; 1 Chron.17:12,14 ; Matt. 23:2-4 ; Jer. 33:17

image from the 'Public domain' via wikimedia commons. Painting of Saint Peter by Peter Paul Rubens

Mariology (From the Hawaiian Deacon Formation)