What is Apostolic Succession and why is it important?
Apostolic Succession in the broadest and most basic sense refers to the passing along the Faith and Fellowship of the Apostles in the life of the Church in history. This succession is carried on through a variety of means. The Scripture of the Old and New Testaments, the historic Creeds, the Gospel Sacraments, and the lineage of Bishops, Priests and Deacons all assist the Church to pass on the Apostolic Faith and Life. Sometimes people refer to Bishops as being in Apostolic Succession. This means being in an unbroken line of consecration from the time of the early undivided Church. This speaks of continuity in ministerial order…But it is important to keep in mind that it means only those who are truly faithful in apostolic succession…who are believing and teaching the Faith of the Apostles…and who are reaching out to the lost in the mission given to the Church through the Apostles.
