Catholic Apologetics Resource Database
St. Cyprian, Letter
1 to the Lapsed
Succession of Bishops
Our Lord, whose commands we ought to fear and observe, says in the Gospel, by way of assigning the episcopal dignity and settling the plan of His Church...[quotes Matthew 16:18f]...From that time the ordination of bishops and the plan of the Church flows on through the changes of times and successions; for the Church is founded upon the bishops, and every act of the Church is controlled by these same rulers. Since this has indeed been established by divine law, I marvel at the rash boldness of certain persons who have desired to write to me as if they were writing their letters in the name of the Church, 'since the Church is established upon the bishop and upon the clergy and upon all who stand firm in the faith.' (Letter to the Lapsed 1, 33 (27), 250 A.D.)
(St. Cyprian - 148 words - 04.08.25)