What is Apostolic Succession?
The Importance of Apostolic Succession
A core Catholic teaching is the unbroken transmission of spiritual authority from Christ to the apostles to successive bishops.
- Traced to Jesus appointing apostles to lead the early Church.
- Authority and truths entrusted orally and openly from generation to generation.
- Guaranteed by the Holy Spirit guiding bishops as successors of the apostles.
- Provides an infallible charism of truth through history.
- Essential for preserving and passing on the original Gospel message.
- Continues from the apostles to all bishops throughout time.
Apostolic succession connects today’s bishops directly back to Jesus. This ensures our faith remains rooted in the teachings of Christ himself. Understanding this lineage shows how God preserves His Church.
Glimpses of Bishops Past
A selection of images of Bishop André Marie’s Predecessors (see the real human faces connected one to another only by the Grace of the Holy Spirit!)
