Mt 16:18-19 ... Jesus gives Peter primacy: rock, keys, binding and loosing. Is 22:22; Rev 1:18 ... keys as symbol of authority. Jn 21:17 ... feed my sheep Mt 10:1-4; Mk 3:16-19; Lk 6:14-16; Acts 1:13; Lk 9:32 ... Peter always mentioned first, as foremost apostle. Mt 18:21; Mk 8:29; Lk 12:41; Jn 6:68-69 ... Peter speaks for the apostles. Acts 2:14-40 ... Pentecost: Peter who first preached. Acts 3:6-7 ... Peter worked first healing. Acts 10:46-48 ... Gentiles to be baptized revealed to Peter. Jn 1:42 ... Simon is Cephas (Aramaic: Kepha for rock). Lk 22:31-32 ... Simon ... strengthen your brethren. Lk 10:1-2, 16; Jn 13:20; 2 Cor 5:20; Gal 4:14; Acts 5:1-5 ... vicars (substitutes) of Christ. Mk 6:20; Lk 1:70,2:23; Rom 12:1; Act 3:21, 1 Cor 7:14; Eph 3:5; Col 1:22 ... humans can be holy (call no one holy).

As for the sex scandals, they are horrific, and sicken all of us, including Catholics. There is no excuses, and the Church needs to be purged of these vile people. Just like the vile people who serve as teachers, in other faiths, public service, etc.