=ConstantineTG;10747593]Here’s the thing, theology is such a complicated subject. If we are earnest in our desire to know the truth, at some point we really have to put some faith into it which is beyond reason. Honestly, smart theologians from both sides have debated the Papacy for centuries, and haven’t come into a conclusion. The Catholics believe their arguments are right, the Orthodox believe their arguments are right. How can we figure for ourselves which is right? We have to follow our own conscience and pray to God that He guide us to the truth.
So anyone who puts forth the effort and time to read into the issue can come to a conclusion on either side of the debate. I’m not saying that anyone who reads everything will almost always become Orthodox, or someone else will argue that someone who reads everything will almost always become Catholic. It is a complicated issue and as long as we do our due diligence and are honest in everything we do on our path towards one or the other, I don’t think God will take it against us. I’m not trying to promote indifferentism, but just trying to acknowledge the fact that some theological issues are really beyond us individually. So my point about catechesis is not to say that anyone who remains Catholic and not become Orthodox are poorly catechized. CS Lewis is brilliantly catechized, he remained Anglican. But if we put forth the effort and end up where we end up, how can God take it against us? This is where mercy and faith come in.
Catholics hold this position for some VERY good and solid reasons
1st Historical Tradition is followed: God always, everytime and everywhere CHOOSE one man to lead His “chosen people”
Noah; Abram; Moses; David; Jacob; the Prophets; Judges; John the Baptist; Jesus Himself; and then Peter Mt.16 is Precise; clear and singular: “YOU Peter” & “MY Church” singular.
2nd. There was NO debate or dispuite within the ranks of the Apostles or deciples
3td. The Early Fathers recogonized this reality:
The Early Church Fathers understood from the beginning that Peter and his successors held a place of primacy in the Church.
Clement of Rome
Accept our counsel and you will have nothing to regret. . . . If anyone disobeys the things which have been said by him [Jesus] through us, let them know that they will involve themselves in no small danger. We, however, shall be innocent of this sin and will pray with entreaty and supplication that the Creator of all may keep unharmed the number of his elect (Letter to the Corinthians 58:2, 59:1[A.D. 95]).
Ignatius of Antioch
You [the See of Rome] have envied no one, but others have you taught. I desire only that what you have enjoined in your instructions may remain in force (Epistle to the Romans 3:1 [A.D. 110]).
Irenaeus
But since it would be too long to enumerate in such a volume as this the succession of all the churches, we shall confound all those who, in whatever manner, whether through self-satisfaction or vainglory, or through blindness and wicked opinion, assemble other than where it is proper, by pointing out here the successions of the bishops of the greatest and most ancient church known to all, founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles. Peter and Paul, that church which has the tradition and the faith which comes down to us after having been announced to men by the apostles. With that church, because of its superior origin, all the churches must agree, that is, all the faithful in the whole world, and it is in her that the faithful everywhere have maintained the apostolic tradition (Against Heresies 3:3:2 [inter A.D. 180-190]).
Clement of Alexandria
[T]he blessed Peter, the chosen, the preeminent, the first among the disciples, for whom alone with himself the Savior paid the tribute [Matt. 17:27], quickly grasped and understood their meaning. And what does he say? “Behold, we have left all and have followed you” [Matt. 19:2 7, Mark 10:28] (Who is the Rich Man That is Saved? 21:3-5 [A.D. 200]).
Tertullian
[T]he Lord said to Peter, “On this rock I will build my Church, I have given you the keys of the kingdom of heaven [and] whatever you shall have bound or loosed on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven” [Matt. 16:18-19]. … Upon you, he says, I will build my Church; and I will give to you the keys, not to the Church; and whatever you shall have bound or you shall have loose
and, not what they shall have bound or they shall have loosed (Modesty 21:9-10 [A.D. 220]).
Letter of Clement to James
Be it known to you, my lord, that Simon [Peter], who, for the sake of the true faith, and the most sure foundation of his doctrine, was set apart to be the foundation of the Church, and for this end was by Jesus himself, with his truthful mouth, named Peter, the first-fruits of our Lord, the first of the apostles; to whom first the Father revealed the Son; whom the Christ, with good reason, blessed; the called, and elect (Letter of Clement to James 2 [A.D, 221]).
Cyprian
With a false bishop appointed for themselves by heretics, they dare even to set sail and carry letters from schismatics and blasphemers to the Chair of Peter and to the principal church [at Rome], in which sacerdotal unity has its source" (Epistle to Cornelius [Bishop of Rome] 59:14
God Bless you!
