"It is not obvious that the rock Jesus was speaking of was himself. In fact Jesus refers to Peter..."
But even if Jesus's statement read that Peter is the rock, it is very subjective whether or not the Catholic church is that church or has broken from what true Christianity is. Christ's Church is still alive...but whether that Church is the Catholic branch is the big question to me. With everything that lead up to the reformation and that which goes on to this day, I see much of what I believe is heresy. Can a heretical church be Christ's church? I would not think so.
Christ derides man's focus on man's rules and traditions of the Pharasee's over the commands of God. I see very little difference between the big social, man made organization that the Pharasee's created and what the Catholic church is now. But I am still learning and could be wrong....but that is my take on it now.