These extraordinary historical times and the touching farewells of our Holy Father, as reassuring as some would like them to be, can still shake the hearts of many faithful today.
We turn to St. Francis de Sales for another short segment on his profound theology of the Papacy, to strengthen our faith and keep it resolute.
St. Francis de Sales says in the Catholic Controversy, Part 2, Article 6, Chapter 13, entitled:
IN HOW GREAT ESTEEM THE AUTHORITY OF THE POPE OUGHT TO BE HELD,
” It is usual that the head should speak for the whole body ; and what the head says is considered to be said by all the rest.
So when S. Peter was placed as foundation of the Church, and the Church was certified that the gates of hell should not prevail against it, — was it not enough to say that S. Peter, as foundation-stone of the ecclesiastical government and administration, could not be crushed and broken by infidelity or error, which is the principal gate of hell ?
In truth, it is necessary that we should follow him simply, not guide him ; otherwise the sheep would be shepherds. And indeed the Church cannot always be united in General Council, and during the first three centuries none were held. In the difficulties then which daily arise, to whom could one better address oneself, from whom could one take a safer law, a surer rule, than from the general head, and from the vicar of Our Lord ?
Now all this has not only been true of S. Peter, but also of his successors; for the cause remaining the effect remains likewise. The Church has always need of an infallible confirmer, to whom she can appeal ; of a foundation which the gates of hell, and principally error, cannot overthrow ; and has always need that her pastor should be unable to lead her children into error. The successors, then, of S. Peter all have these same privileges, which do not follow the person but the dignity and public charge.”