I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.                                                I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, was Crucified,  and Resurrected.                                                                                                                                            I believe in the Holy Spirit.                                                                                                                     I believe in the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.                                                                                                                                                     I believe in the resurrection of the body.                                                                                             I believe in life everlasting,    Amen.

CC 7 …. P. Which apostolic roles were transmitted  to the successors ?
There are two aspects to be distinguished in the Mission of the Twelve: one is a)    Personal (hence not transmittable).                                                                         

The Apostles were the qualified eye-witnesses of the Resurrection of the Lord and the original source of His Revelation to mankind.
b)    the other aspect is Functional.                                            This could, and had to be transmitted to their successors in order to guarantee the life of the Church throughout the subsequent ages: the Mission:

1.    of proclaiming the Gospel;                                                                                    2.    of guiding the community;                                                                             3.    of sanctifying the faithful through the Sacraments.

Bishops and Presbyters
In the task of the Apostles, to ensure the transmission of their Ministry to future ages, there appeared from the beginning, bishops and presbyters (elders / priests).

What function did they fulfill in the Church ?
1.    The Bishops (in Greek “episkopein”), were in charge of tending the flock of God (1Pt. 5: 1 – 3); of presiding over the assemblies (Tim. 3:55; 17); of  proclaiming with full authority the Word of God (1Tim. 5:17).
2.    The Presbyters were the “elders”, called to administer the gifts received from Antioch (Acts 15:6,  21 – 28).

In the Churches, founded by Paul, the Presbyters presided as shepherds over the communities (Acts, 20: 28);
They administered (1Tim. 3: 1 – 7),
They taught (Acts 20: 28 – 32).
They also celebrated Liturgical Rites: the anointing of the sick (Jms. 5:14).  From most ancient documents we know that Presbyters presided “at the celebration of the “ Eucharistic Sacrifice”. (Clement of Rome - 1st Century…”Letter to the Corinthians”, 44,4).        /CC8


Extracts by kind permission of  HG Mons. Sylvester Magro ofm, Apostolic Nuncio of Benghazi.