What do you think? It seems that all the early Church fathers taught this. For example, St. Ignatius of Antioch (a student of the apostle, John, who also traveled some with Sts. Peter and Paul and was appointed Bishop of Antioch by St. Peter, himself);
"See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery (priests)as ye would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate a love-feast; but whatsoever he shall approve of, that is also pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid."
2006-07-15
07:30:30
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12 answers
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asked by
Shaun T
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Religion & Spirituality