[Mike Fieschko]

Siricius' Decretal was obviously not the final word on the matter, as Gregory VII had to reaffirm it more forcefully 700 years later by invalidating the marriages of ordained priests.

You are right to point out that over time, we humans become lax and disobedient. We need to persevere.

[Malcolm]

Regarding Mt. 16:18, the Amplified Bible says: "I tell you that you are Peter [Petros, masculine, a large piece of rock], and on this rock [petra, feminine, a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church. . . ." Peter is "a large piece of rock," but the church is built on petra which means "a huge rock like Gibraltar"! Peter is also masculine gender and not feminine gender as petra is. The misuse of this verse has led people to wrongly believe that the church was built on St. Peter, who was supposed to have been "the visible head of the church" and the first Pope. Most importantly, such a belief about Peter from Mt. 16:18 has led to a wrong idea of how one finds salvation.

Thank G-d for the resources of the Internet to "rebut" these people, and that with authority......