(Q073b. What ecclesiastical institution is there through which the succession of the apostolic ministry is preserved?)
The ecclesiastical Hierarchy, the sacred order of bishops, presbyters, and deacons. This Hierarchy originates from Jesus Christ himself and from the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost; and from that time it has been continued, in unbroken succession, through the laying on of hands in the Mystery of Holy Orders.
It is Christ who “gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some shepherds and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for a work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:11–12; see Q277). The earliest witnesses attest this divinely willed order:
Our Apostles knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that there would be strife over the office of bishop; accordingly… they appointed the men already mentioned, and then gave instructions that, when these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry. (St Clement of Rome, To the Corinthians, 42–44).
St Ignatius describes the bishop presiding “after the likeness of God,” with the presbyters “after the likeness of the council of the Apostles,” and the deacons entrusted with “the diaconate of Jesus Christ” (St Ignatius of Antioch, To the Magnesians, 6.1; see Q008, Q170). It is this same Hierarchy which, gathered in synods and councils according to the canons (Nicaea I, canon 4; Apostolic Canon 37; see Q070, Q071), has defined and guarded the Symbol of Faith so that the Creed we confess is handed to us by the very ministry the Apostles established. The Hierarchy will be considered in detail under the Ninth Article, on the Church.
