Rock is Peter; papal succession and primacy affirmed
The Maronite Catholic Church, in communion with the Roman Catholic Church, affirms the traditional Catholic interpretation of Matthew 16:18 that 'the rock' refers to Peter (Cephas in Aramaic) as the foundation of the church and the rock upon which Christ builds his church. The Council of Trent and Vatican I affirmed this interpretation as part of Catholic dogma: Peter is the visible head of the church, and papal primacy and infallibility (in defined dogmatic matters) flow from Christ's words to Peter.
In Maronite theology, while the church maintains its Syriac liturgical and spiritual identity, it affirms full communion with the Pope and recognizes papal primacy as established by Christ. The Maronite Synod of 1736 reaffirmed this doctrine. Peter's successors, the popes, inherit his authority to lead and guide the universal church.
Key Distinctions
- Rock referent:
- Peter role:
- popes are successors of Peter inheriting his primacy
- Papal primacy:
- papal infallibility in faith and morals when speaking ex cathedra
Scripture References
Sources
- Council of Trent, Session 5
- Vatican I, Pastor Aeternus (1870)
- Maronite Synod (1736)
- Catholic Catechism, sections 882-892