It is an awe-inspiring edifice!  Words fail to capture the richness of the art which graces Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, The Eternal City.   
    High on the façade behind the main altar, we see a striking, stained glass window illustrating the Holy Spirit.  Depicted as a Dove, the Spirit showers down His rays of Catholic Truth.  A few feet below, affixed to the wall, is a glorious gold chair.  It is the Chair of Peter!  Peter, the Rock upon whom Our Lord built His Church! 
    Each year on February 22nd, we Catholics celebrate the liturgy of The Chair of Peter.  This ancient Mass formulary serves as an annual reminder to us of the full and universal authority of the Successor of Peter. 
    The Gospel relates Our Lord’s Promise of the Papacy. "Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.  And I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you shall declare bound on earth shall be bound also in heaven. Whatever you declare loosed on earth shall be loosed also in heaven" (Matthew 16: 18-19).   
    Reflecting on this scriptural text, Pope John Paul II stresses the scope of papal authority. "This does not mean only the power to formulate points of doctrine or general norms of action according to Jesus. It is the power of `binding and loosing,’ that is, of doing whatever is necessary for the life and development of the Church.  The opposing terms `binding-loosing’ serve to show the totality of the power."     Moreover, Pope John Paul emphasized that the Roman Pontiff’s power, “obliges shepherds and faithful of every rite and dignity, both individually and collectively, to hierarchal subordination and true obedience, not only in matters of faith and morals, but also in those pertaining to the discipline and government of the Church throughout the world."
    When the Bishop of Rome teaches Christ’s Faithful, he does so with the authority of Jesus Christ and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Every member of the Church, bishops, priests, deacons, religious and laity must be united with the faith and moral teachings of the Roman Pontiff.
    The Second Vatican Council also taught that Catholics must render, "a religious submission of mind and will to the authentic Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff.”  This assent “of mind and will” must be given, not only to the Pope’s Extra-Ordinary or ex cathedra Teachings, but also to his Ordinary Teaching Authority (see Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, N. 25).
    How about the Teaching Authority of the Bishops?  Their Magisterium is also an undeniable part of the Sacred Deposit of Faith. Again, Vatican II is unambiguous: "Bishops by divine institution have succeeded to the place of the Apostles as shepherds of the Church.  He who hears them hears Christ, and he who rejects them, rejects Christ and Him who sent Christ. In the bishops therefore, for whom priests are the assistants, Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Supreme High Priest, is present in the midst of all who believe."
    It is evident therefore that all Catholics must adhere to the teachings of the Pope and the Bishops as they proclaim and defend the Sacred Deposit of Faith, entrusted by Our Lord to His Church.   
     
    Moreover, Vatican II reaffirmed the supremacy of the Papal Magisterium more firmly than any of the previous Ecumenical Council. "The college or body of bishops has no authority unless it is understood together with the Roman Pontiff, the Successor of Peter as its head.  The Pope's power of primacy over all, both pastors and faithful, remains whole and intact - - - The order of bishops, which succeeds to the College of Apostles and gives this body continued existence, is also the subject of supreme and full power over the universal Church, provided we understand this body together with its head the Roman Pontiff and never apart from this head."
    Individually and as a body, bishops must teach, Cum Petro et Sub Petro - - - With Peter and Under Peter! (See Vatican II Document, Ad Gentes, N.38 & Christus Dominus, N. 2 & 3).
    At the Offertory of the Mass of the Chair of Peter, we pray: “Lord accept the prayers and gifts of your Church.  With Saint Peter as our shepherd, keep us true to the faith he taught and bring us to your eternal kingdom.” 
    My friends, the Teaching Authority of the Church is not intended to impede man’s free will.  Not at all!  Rather, the Church’s Magisterium is Our Savior’s gift of Truth to His followers.  It is the guarantee of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, that the Roman Catholic Church will never lead His flock into doctrinal or moral error. 
    May Mary, the Mother of the Church, be our model in sustaining the, “obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5) to which the Holy Spirit calls us!