What is Apostolic Succession?
Apostolic succession is the Catholic doctrine that the authority and mission given by Jesus to His apostles have been passed down through an unbroken line of bishops from the time of the apostles to the present day. This succession ensures that the Catholic Church maintains the same authority, teaching, and sacramental power that Jesus gave to His apostles. The pope, as the Bishop of Rome and successor of Saint Peter, is the visible head of this apostolic line.
This doctrine is fundamental to Catholic understanding of the Church's authority and authenticity. It provides a historical and spiritual link between the Church today and the Church of the apostles, ensuring that the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church are the same as those established by Jesus and His apostles. Without apostolic succession, the Church would lose its connection to its divine foundation.
The Biblical Foundation
The concept of apostolic succession is rooted in several biblical passages. In Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven and the power to bind and loose, establishing him as the foundation of the Church. In John 20:21-23, Jesus breathes on the apostles and gives them the power to forgive sins, a power that has been passed down through the bishops.
The New Testament also shows the apostles appointing successors. In Acts 1:15-26, the apostles choose Matthias to replace Judas, showing that the apostolic office was meant to continue. Saint Paul, in his letters to Timothy and Titus, gives instructions for appointing bishops and presbyters, indicating that the apostolic ministry was to be passed on to others.
Historical Development
The practice of apostolic succession developed in the early Church as the apostles began to appoint bishops to lead the local churches they had established. These bishops were given the same authority and responsibilities that the apostles had, including the power to teach, govern, and sanctify. The early Church Fathers, such as Saint Ignatius of Antioch and Saint Irenaeus, wrote extensively about the importance of apostolic succession.
Saint Irenaeus, in particular, emphasized that the true Church could be identified by its connection to the apostles through the bishops. He wrote that the Church in Rome, founded by Peter and Paul, was the preeminent example of apostolic succession. This understanding developed into the doctrine of papal primacy, which recognizes the Bishop of Rome as the successor of Peter and the visible head of the Church.
The Role of Bishops
Bishops are the primary successors of the apostles in the Catholic Church. They receive their authority through the sacrament of Holy Orders, which is conferred by other bishops in an unbroken line going back to the apostles. Bishops have three main responsibilities that correspond to the threefold mission of Christ:
- Teaching (Prophetic): Bishops are responsible for preserving and teaching the authentic faith handed down from the apostles.
- Governing (Kingly): Bishops have authority to govern their dioceses and make decisions for the good of the Church.
- Sanctifying (Priestly): Bishops have the power to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Holy Orders.
Bishops work in communion with the pope and with each other, ensuring the unity and universality of the Church.
The Papacy and Petrine Ministry
The pope, as the Bishop of Rome and successor of Saint Peter, holds a special place in apostolic succession. Jesus gave Peter a unique role among the apostles, calling him the 'rock' on which He would build His Church and giving him the keys to the kingdom of heaven. This Petrine ministry has been passed down through the popes, who serve as the visible head of the Church and the guarantor of its unity.
The pope's authority includes the power to teach infallibly on matters of faith and morals when he speaks ex cathedra (from the chair of Peter). This infallibility is not a personal quality but a gift of the Holy Spirit that ensures the Church will not err in essential matters of faith. The pope also has the authority to govern the universal Church and to make decisions that bind all Catholics.
Preserving Authentic Teaching
One of the most important functions of apostolic succession is preserving the authentic teaching of Jesus and the apostles. The bishops, in communion with the pope, are responsible for ensuring that the Church's teaching remains faithful to the Gospel and the apostolic tradition. This includes both the written tradition (Scripture) and the oral tradition that was passed down from the apostles.
The bishops exercise this teaching authority through various means, including pastoral letters, participation in ecumenical councils, and collaboration with the pope in defining doctrine. When the bishops teach in communion with the pope, their teaching carries the authority of the Church and is binding on the faithful.
Sacramental Authority
Apostolic succession is also essential for the validity of the sacraments. The power to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Holy Orders, comes from the apostles and has been passed down through the bishops. Only bishops and priests who have been validly ordained in the apostolic succession can celebrate these sacraments.
This ensures that the sacraments celebrated in the Catholic Church are the same sacraments that Jesus instituted and that the apostles celebrated. It also means that Catholics can be confident that the grace they receive through the sacraments is authentic and effective.
Unity and Communion
Apostolic succession helps to maintain the unity of the Catholic Church. All bishops are united in communion with the pope, and all Catholics are united in communion with their bishops. This hierarchical structure ensures that the Church remains one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, as professed in the Nicene Creed.
This unity is not just organizational but spiritual, as all members of the Church are united in the same faith, the same sacraments, and the same governance. Apostolic succession provides the visible sign of this unity and helps to prevent division and schism.
Ecumenical Implications
The doctrine of apostolic succession has important implications for ecumenical relations with other Christian churches. Many Protestant churches do not maintain apostolic succession, which has been a significant obstacle to Christian unity. However, some churches, such as the Orthodox and Anglican churches, do maintain a form of apostolic succession.
The Catholic Church recognizes that the Holy Spirit works in other Christian communities and that they may have valid sacraments even if they do not have full apostolic succession. However, the Church believes that full unity requires agreement on the importance of apostolic succession and the role of the pope.
Conclusion: A Living Tradition
Apostolic succession is not just a historical fact but a living reality that continues to shape the Catholic Church today. It ensures that the Church remains connected to its apostolic foundation and that its authority and teaching are authentic and reliable. Through apostolic succession, the Church continues to fulfill the mission that Jesus gave to His apostles: to make disciples of all nations and to teach them everything He commanded.
As Catholics, we can be confident that our Church is the same Church that Jesus founded and that the apostles led. This gives us assurance that our faith is true and that our sacraments are effective. May we always value and respect the gift of apostolic succession and the authority it provides to our Church.