Matthew 16:19
In Chapter 18, Emily of New Moon, Emily goes to coax Catholic Priest “Father Cassidy” to stop Lofty John from cutting down his bush:
“I’m afraid I can hardly invoke the power av the keys to prevent Lofty John from disposing as he wishes av his own lawful property, you know, elf.”
Emily didn’t understand the allusion to the keys but she did understand that Father Cassidy was declining to bring the lever of the Church to bear on Lofty John. There was no hope, then. She could not keep the tears of disappointment out of her eyes.
Matthew 16:19
King James Bible
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Christ’s words to St. Peter gives him supreme authority in the church, an authority which is now carried on by the Pope. For more about this phrase, see Catholic Encyclopedia.
Source
Catholic Encyclopedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08631b.htm
