Justice is the
guardian of our civil constitution.

When a dispute arises in the Church regarding the sense of Scripture the
subject is referred to the Pope for final adjudication. The Sovereign
Pontiff, before deciding the case, gathers around him his venerable
colleagues, the Cardinals of the Church; or he calls a council of his
associate judges of faith, the Bishops of Christendom; or he has recourse
to other lights which the Holy Ghost may suggest to him. Then, after
mature and prayerful deliberation, he pronounces judgment and his sentence
is final, irrevocable and infallible.

If the Catholic Church were not fortified by this Divinely-established
supreme tribunal, she would be broken up, like the sects around her, into
a thousand fragments and religious anarchy would soon follow. But by means
of this infallible court her marvellous unity is preserved throughout the
world. This doctrine is the keystone in the arch of Catholic faith, and,
far from arousing opposition, it ought to command the unqualified
admiration of every reflecting mind.

These explanations being premised, let us now briefly consider the grounds
of the doctrine itself.

The following passages of the Gospel, spoken at different times, were
addressed exclusively to Peter: "Thou art Peter; and on this rock I will
build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."(176)
"I, the Supreme Architect of the universe," says our Savior, "will
establish a Church which is to last till the end of time. I will lay the
foundation of this Church so deep and strong on the rock of truth that the
winds and storms of error shall not prevail against it. Thou, O Peter,
shalt be the foundation of this Church. It shall never fall, because thou
shalt never be shaken; and thou shalt never be shaken, because thou shalt
rest on Me, the rock of truth." The Church, of which Peter is the
foundation, is declared to be impregnable--that is, proof against error.
How can you suppose an immovable edifice built on a tottering foundation?
For it is not the building that sustains the foundation, but it is the
foundation that supports the building.

"And I will give to thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven."(177) Thou
shalt hold the keys of truth with which to open to the faithful the
treasures of heavenly science. "Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall
be bound also in Heaven."(178) The judgment which thou shalt pronounce on
earth I will ratify in heaven. Su