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Apostolic Succession figures large in both the Anglican and Roman Catholic perspectives regarding the validity of the Anglican Priesthood.
The Anglicans point to a demonstrable, unbroken physical succession of ordination.
The Roman Catholic perspective I have seen expressed in a number of ways. This is one:
“Apostolic succession alone is not sufficient to transmit Orders. Like all Sacraments, Holy Orders also requires valid subject, form, matter, and intent. The Anglican Church originally possessed valid Orders, but lost them due to a theological shift which invalidated their intent (and probably form). By the time this was corrected by the Oxford movement, the Anglicans had no valid Bishops left. Anglicans had (and still have) valid succession, but invalid Orders.”
I have seen specifically mentioned that that invalidation is caused directly by the incorrect understanding/administration of the Eucharist.
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And that brings up an interesting point.
The apostolic practice regarding the commemoration of Jesus’ death is well know and proven. The “Quartodecimans” (“14th Day-ers”) commemorated Jesus’ death exactly how and exactly when He commanded – on the evening of the 14th day of Nisan (Abib), annually. The Apostles did not speak against that practice, because it was a command of their Master, and they naturally were observing it as well. It was only after pagan influence grew in the visible church thereafter, that things changed, and the faithful observers were actively persecuted out of existence.
So the Roman Catholic Church fails its own test. It has an understanding and administration of what it calls “the Eucharist” that is different from Jesus’ instituted memorial that the original faithful believers (including the apostles – most had received the command first hand) practised in obedience.
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So either the Anglican claim of practical apostolic succession is valid, or the Roman Catholic Church stands condemned by its own proposition.
Which is it?
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