[CynicalBear]

>> And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18<<

Now pray tell what does that have to do with the RCC?

[impimp1]

Peter was made Christ’s Vicar on Earth (AKA Pope) when Jesus said what He said in Matthew 16:18. That is the siginificance to the RCC.

Jesus also gave Peter the keys to Heaven, something He did not give the other Apostles. This is important because the use of the word keys (and being a key-holder) represents an office, at least it refers to an office when keys are discussed in the Old Testament. If the gates of hell shall not prevail against Peter’s office then, voila, we have Papal succession right down to Benedict 16.

[Natural Law]

"Now pray tell what does that have to do with the RCC?"

The "RCC" or more properly the Catholic Church, has maintained an unbroken Apostolic Succession from Pope Peter I through Benedict XVI. The Church didn't leave you, you left it.