Church Fathers and the Rock Archbishop Kenrick, who was one of America's
extraordinary bishops, was opposed to the doctrine of
papal infallibilty and at the First Vatican Council
in 1869 he voted against it. He wanted to deliver
a speech against the proposed doctrine at the Council
but instead he ceased to attend the Council meetings.
He published his speech in Naples the following year.
It is important because he lists the five different
patristic interpretations of Matthew 16:18.
Let's look at how the Church Fathers line up over this verse:
1...."That St. Peter is the Rock" is taught
by seventeen (17) Fathers
2....That the whole Apostolic College is the Rock,
represented by Peter as its chief,
is taught by eight (8.) Church Fathers
3....That St. Peter's faith is the Rock,
is taught by forty-four (44) Church Fathers
4....That Christ is the Rock,
is taught by sixteen Fathers (16)
5....That the rock is the whole body of the faithful.
Archbp. Kendrick gives no figure.
Archbishop Kendrick summarises
"If we are bound to follow the greater number
of Fathers in this matter, then we must hold
for certain that the word "Petra" means not Peter
professing the Faith, but the faith professed by Peter."
This is an important point by Kendrick since one of the
RC Councils (I need to check which one) laid down the
principle that a preponderance of patristic consensus
is needed for the promulgation of any dogma.
You can look this up and check that I have it
accurately in Friedrich, Docum ad illust. Conc. Vat. 1, pp. 185-246
As to who Archbishop Kenrick was.
Please see the Catholic Encyclopedia
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08618a.htm "