Bible Encyclopedias
Regalia Petri

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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(the royalties of Peter) are regarded by Roman Catholics as belonging to the pope in his capacity of sovereign monarch of the universal Church. This claim to royal prerogative is founded on canon law, and has been asserted by the popes with more or less stringency since the 7th century. Among these claims,are the following: "To be superior to the whole Church, and to its representative, a general council; to call general councils at his pleasure, all bishops being obliged to attend his summons; to preside in general synods, so as to propose matter for discussion; to promote, obstruct, or overrule the debates; to confirm or invalidate their decisions; to define points of doctrine; to decide controversies authoritatively, so that none may contest or dissent from his judgment; to enact, establish, abrogate, suspend, or dispense with ecclesiastical laws and canons; to relax or do away with ecclesiastical censures by indulgences, pardons, etc.; to dispense with the obligations of promises, vows, oaths, legal obligations, etc.; to be the fountain of all pastoral jurisdiction and dignity; to constitute, confirm, judge, censure, suspend, depose, remove, restore, and reconcile bishops; to exempt colleges and monasteries from the jurisdiction of their bishops and ordinary, superiors; to judge all persons in spiritual causes by calling them to his presence, delegating judges, and reserving to himself a final, irrevocable judgment; to receive appeals from all ecclesiastical judicatories, and reverse or confirm their sentences; to be accountable to no one for his acts; to erect, transfer, and abolish episcopal sees; to exact oaths of obedience from the clergy; to found religious orders; to summon and commission soldiers by crusade to fight against infidels or persecute heretics."