Primer of our Apostolic Succession
Apostolic Succession: A Historical and Theological Perspective
Apostolic Succession is a fundamental concept in the Catholic faith, which includes various branches of Christianity, including the Celtic Christian faith. It represents both a historical and spiritual link to the earliest days of Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
In summary, Apostolic Succession is both a historical and theological cornerstone of the Catholic faith. It links contemporary Church leaders to the early Apostles and, ultimately, to the teachings of Jesus Christ. This concept fosters historical continuity and spiritual unity within the Catholic tradition, including the Celtic Christian faith.
1. From the Apostolic See of Saint Peter at Rome through the Igréja Católica Apostólica Brasileira
2. From the Apostolic See of Saint Peter at Rome through the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht (Oud Katholicke Kerk van Nederland)
3. From the Apostolic See of Saint Peter at Rome through the Order of Corporate Reunion
4. From the Apostolic See of Saint Peter at Rome through the Armenian Catholic Church
5. From the Apostolic See of Saint Taddeus at Edessa through the Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate
6. From the Apostolic See of Saint Peter at Antioch through the Malankara (Malabar) Orthodox Church of India
7. From the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow through the Syrian Orthodox Mission to North America
8. From Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Poland and Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church through the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
9. From the See of Saint Augustine at Canterbury (Church of England) through the Episcopal Church of the United States ( Our Celtic Line of Apostolic Succession comes through this line)
10. From the See of Saint Augustine at Canterbury through the Episcopal Church of the United States and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente ( Our Celtic Line of Apostolic Succession comes through this line)
Apostolic Succession: A Historical and Theological Perspective
Apostolic Succession is a fundamental concept in the Catholic faith, which includes various branches of Christianity, including the Celtic Christian faith. It represents both a historical and spiritual link to the earliest days of Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
- Historical Significance: Apostolic Succession traces the consecration of bishops through an unbroken tactile line, connecting each bishop to the twelve Apostles and, by extension, to Jesus Christ Himself. This concept has profound historical significance for the Catholic tradition, including Celtic Christianity.
- Historical Lineage: Apostolic Succession is a tangible connection to the early Christian Church. When a bishop is ordained through the laying on of hands, this practice continues a tradition that has persisted for centuries, creating a historical record of church leadership. It is through this historical lineage that the modern Church can trace its roots back to the time of the Apostles.
- Early Church Fathers: The importance of Apostolic Succession can be seen in the writings of early Church Fathers, like Tertullian, who challenged heretical groups to produce records of their own bishops and their succession. This challenge underscores the historical reliability and authority of Apostolic Succession.
- Union of Churches: Apostolic Succession serves as a unifying factor among various branches of the Catholic faith, both in the East and the West. It bridges theological and doctrinal differences, emphasizing a common spiritual heritage rooted in Christ's teachings. This union fosters ecumenism and encourages a sense of unity within the Body of Christ.
- Theological Significance: Apostolic Succession is not merely a historical record; it also carries profound theological significance for the Catholic faith, including Celtic Christianity.
- Sacramental Validity: It ensures the validity of the sacraments celebrated within the Church. Bishops, who are consecrated through Apostolic Succession, possess the authority to perform sacraments, such as ordination, confirmation, and the Eucharist. This guarantees that these sacraments maintain their spiritual efficacy.
- Continuity with Christ: Apostolic Succession reflects the belief that Christ entrusted His teachings and authority to the Apostles, who, in turn, passed this spiritual authority down through the laying on of hands. Consequently, bishops, as successors to the Apostles, serve as a bridge between the Church and the teachings of Christ.
- Spiritual Unity: Beyond theological and doctrinal differences, Apostolic Succession unites the faithful in a shared spiritual lineage. It emphasizes the oneness of the Church and encourages believers to consider themselves part of a broader spiritual family.
- Heritage Preservation: Through Apostolic Succession, the Celtic Christian faith, a branch of the broader Catholic tradition, preserves its unique heritage while maintaining its connection to the worldwide Catholic Church. The consecration of bishops within the Apostolic Free Celtic Church, can trace several lines of succession through Bishops Albert Chambers (PECUSA), William Montemery Brown (PECUSA), Arnold Matthews (Old Catholic), Carlos Duarte Costa (Roman Catholic), Pierre Martin Ngô Đình Thục (Roman Catholic), Emmanuel Milingo (Roman Catholic), René Vilatte (Syria-Jacobite), Aftimios Offiesh (Russian Orthodox), Theophan Noli (Albanian Orthodox), Sergii (Russian Orthodox), Fedtschenkov (Russian Orthodox), Klimovicz (Russian Orthodox). ensures the continuation of sacramental Celtic Christian traditions.
In summary, Apostolic Succession is both a historical and theological cornerstone of the Catholic faith. It links contemporary Church leaders to the early Apostles and, ultimately, to the teachings of Jesus Christ. This concept fosters historical continuity and spiritual unity within the Catholic tradition, including the Celtic Christian faith.
1. From the Apostolic See of Saint Peter at Rome through the Igréja Católica Apostólica Brasileira
2. From the Apostolic See of Saint Peter at Rome through the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht (Oud Katholicke Kerk van Nederland)
3. From the Apostolic See of Saint Peter at Rome through the Order of Corporate Reunion
4. From the Apostolic See of Saint Peter at Rome through the Armenian Catholic Church
5. From the Apostolic See of Saint Taddeus at Edessa through the Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate
6. From the Apostolic See of Saint Peter at Antioch through the Malankara (Malabar) Orthodox Church of India
7. From the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow through the Syrian Orthodox Mission to North America
8. From Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Poland and Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church through the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
9. From the See of Saint Augustine at Canterbury (Church of England) through the Episcopal Church of the United States ( Our Celtic Line of Apostolic Succession comes through this line)
10. From the See of Saint Augustine at Canterbury through the Episcopal Church of the United States and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente ( Our Celtic Line of Apostolic Succession comes through this line)