apostolic unbroken link
Hello, and thank you for all the research and time you put into answering our questions!
I have heard the argument by non-Catholics that we do not have an unbroken link to the Apostles. Of course I know this to be untrue for evidence shows otherwise.
I remember reading a while ago that one of our Church Fathers, whom we have quotes from, was personally known, and, I think taught as well, by St. John of the Bible/Gospel. I can't recall the name. Do you happen to know the name of the person that was? I wish I would have kept it on hand, for THAT was "proof" for our non-Catholic "friends" of our unbroken link straight from the Apostles (not just from Peter our 1st Pope).
Thank you, and God bless you,
QUESTION from Claire on November 16, 2003
from Claire
ANSWER by Staff on November 22, 2003
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Dear Claire: You may be thinking of St. Ignatius of Antioch. He personally knew St. John and was taught by St. John. St. Ignatius mentions in his letters that the local churches were to remain loyal to the Bishop of Rome, of whom he called the "President" of the Church. As for Apostolic Succession, even secular sources will list the names of every single pope since St. Peter. This is a well-known and undisputable fact of history. Only a very ignorant and biased person could suggest that we do not have Apostolic Succession all the way back to Peter. Since ALL evidence within the Church, outside of the Church, and with most credible Protestant historians all admit to the succession of the Catholic Church, the burden of prove is one the people who suggest otherwise. As I like to say to my ignorant friends, "Nice theory, prove it!"
God Bless, |