THE ONE, TRUE, 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.

CC17 ….WITNESSES AND TESTIMONIALS

The Apostolic Succession….or the unbroken line of those who succeeded the Apostles, is a fact ascertained by the Holy Bible, as it has been clearly demonstrated in the previous writings.  This Apostolic Succession, however, is also attested to, by numerous other witnesses outside the Bible.

THE EARLY  WITNESSES

Having indicated that there exist ‘Early Witnesses’ we have to mention some.

St.Clement of Rome (+101)

Clement was a disciple of the Apostles. He was in fact the third successor of St.Peter, in Rome, after Linus and Anacletus (years 92 – 101 aC,   aC stands for after Christ). May I refer you to the Litany of Saints we still recite which goes like this: Saints Peter, Linus, Cletus, Clement, Cornelius…

Among other Writings, Clement left us a Letter witnessing to the Apostolic succession in the Church. He wrote thus:   “The Apostles were sent to preach the Good News of the Lord Jesus; Jesus Christ was sent by God. Christ therefore came from God, and the Apostles came from Christ.  So, both Missions proceeded according to the Will of God.

“Having obtained, received, their mandate from Christ” ….the Apostles began to preach. Later they appointed some of their followers as Bishops and Deacons, There was nothing unusual in this.  In fact, Scripture speaks of them when it says: “I shall establish their Bishops in justice and their deacons in faith.”***

*** Taken from a Letter by Clement to the Corinthians, no.42.

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