How do I answer regarding St. Catherine of Siena's statement?

[algran]

Dear Apologist:

I read some material from CUF once(I think Laywitness) that stated a quote from St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church.

St. Catherine basically said, “Even if the Pope was the Devil Incarnate, I must bow before him, because he holds the Keys to the Blood.”

My long-time Catholic friend(with a little fundamentalist thrown in) reacted to this quote by the saint with, “Don’t ever say that to a Protestant, especially if your trying to convert them; they will think you’re insane!”

Now, how do you, as a Catholic Apologist, take this quote, and how would you answer my friend, so as not to confuse him, but to drive the point home?

Your answer is much appreciated. Thank you for your service to our Church and God Bless.

Art Granville
Hemet, CA

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear Art,

St. Catherine was exaggerating to make a point. This is called “hyperbole.” She certainly did not mean to be taken literally. The importance of obeying the Vicar of Christ can be shown in many other ways. One might, for example explain the Scripture passage in which Jesus give Peter the keys with the authority to bind and loose (Mt. 16:19).

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.