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Apostolic Succession (OSV Encyc. 1997)
"All authority on heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them... [and] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age" (Mt 28:18-20). Only Jesus Christ has the power to redeem us from our sins and to open to us the gates of Heaven. He communicates his power to his apostles, and promises that he will be with them always, ensuring that through them and their ministry each human person can find the means of salvation.
But since Jesus knew that the apostles to whom he was then speaking would die, in what way did he intend to be "with them", and therefore to be "with each age", also "with us"? Through their successors, down to the end of time. The authority, the teaching mission, and the promise of his presence that he gave to the first apostles, he keeps communicating to their legitimate successors in each age. It is therefore through the successors of the Apostles, in the Church, that we are united to Christ and can find his saving truth and power and grace.
The Pope is the successor of St. Peter, whom Jesus appointed head of the his apostles; and the bishops are the successors of the rest of the apostles. Together, living the unity our Lord willed, they form the Apostolic College: "Just as, in accordance with the Lord's decree, St. Peter and the rest of the apostles constitute a unique apostolic college, so in like fashion the Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, and the bishops, the successors of the apostles, are related with and united to one another" (LG 22).
The powers of the ministerial priesthood can only be conferred by ordination at the hands of a bishop. A bishop can only be legitimately ordained and exercise his power after nomination or confirmation by the Pope, the Supreme Pontiff (c. 377, ? 1; cc. 331-332). It is only through this hierarchical, apostolic succession that the fullness of the powers and presence of Jesus are present, and can be reached by each individual down to the end of time.