THE ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, APOSTOLIC CHURCH

 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.

 CC20 …. What is the conclusion arrived at by Irenaeus ?

At this point, Irenaeus puts down the names of the Successors of Peter in the government of the Church of Rome. From this unbroken line of Succession, he concludes:

“These, being our proofs, there is no need to go elsewhere in search of the Truth, which is so easily found in this Church….THE CHURCH.   In her, like in a drawer, the Apostles have deposited the whole Truth, so that whoever wanted…and still wants, could draw from it the waters of Life (Rev. 22:17)  This is the entrance to Life.  All others, are thieves and robbers. “(Jn. 10: 1, 8-9)

“It is therefore important to avoid them (…the heretics), and to love with supreme intensity that which the Church teaches, and so to learn the Tradition of the Truth.” (Adversus Haereses,  Bk.III, n.4,1.)

What is the value of the testimony of Irenaeus ?

Like that of Clement of Rome, the witness of Saint Irenaeus regarding the Apostolic Succession, is invaluable.  Irenaeus demonstrates that the uninterrupted Succession of the Bishops from St.Peter onwards, is the only guarantee of the authentic transmission of the Word of God, in the true Church founded by Christ. *  Outside this unbroken line of Succession, beginning from the Apostles, there can not be the true Church, neither can one find the TRUTH. **

*If you do not want to be tossed by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness and deceitful wiles (Eph, 4,14), why not do like Irenaeus ? Consult any good, reliable, Encyclopaedia and ascertain yourself of the uninterrupted line of the Apostolic Succession from St.Peter to the present day Pope …. Pope Benedict XVI…2012. (Search for the word, “Popes”).

**An identical procedure would have to be followed if one would like to identify and ascertain himself of his lineage.  He would examine the ‘Family Tree’ at the Public Registry.  That would be the most valid and unequivocal testimony of one’s belonging or not, to a given line or family.      /CC 21

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