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Luke 14:27
Apostolic Succession
The term "apostolic succession" refers to the doctrine in Catholic and Orthodox churches that holds that
certain spiritual powers, whom the Lord Jesus Christ first entrusted to the twelve apostles, is passed on in an unbroken line of succession
from the apostles to the bishops who were their successors to the bishops who were their successors down through time, and from these
bishops to the priests who assist them in their pastoral duties. The validity of apostolic succession is a key factor in determining
the sacerdotal powers of the Church.
The principal line of apostolic succession of the Society of the Cross comes from the Roman Catholic
Church, through the Dutch Old Catholic Church and the Old Catholic Church in England. The validity of this line of succession is widely
recognized, the earliest recorded member being Roman Catholic bishop Scipione Rebiba. More than 91 percent of all Roman Catholic bishops
world-wide trace their own lineage to Bishop Rebiba (Bransom, 1990). The founder of the Society, Bishop Robert Conley, S.C., is in
this direct line of succession.
To view Bishop Conley’s line of apostolic succession which is fully annotated please click on the link below (file is in PDF).
Special Note on Apostolic Succession: Within the document “The Apostolic Tradition
of Hippolytus of Rome” is found the following. “If a confessor has been placed in chains for the Name of the Lord, hands are not laid
upon him for the office of deacon or elder. He has the honor of the office of an elder through his confession. If he is instituted
as a bishop, then hands will be laid upon him.” Quoted from, “The Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus of Rome”.... http://www.bombaxo.com/hippolytus.html.
Here we see that such a confessor through his confession was considered an elder/presbyter/priest. Such did not have to have hands
laid upon them to receive that ministerial office if a confessor, unless they were to be instituted as a bishop. Under such a tradition
our brothers in Christ who have suffered greatly in some countries for the Name of the Lord are actually already elders/presbyters/priests
as these words all speak of the same ministerial office. Thus, they may not have “traditional” apostolic succession; but they are
never-the-less the equals of those who do possess such; and may, by this tradition, act within such offices validly
The Society of
the Cross believes in and holds to apostolic succession, and I must reiterate that the Society of the Cross does hold to and believe
in and does validly have apostolic succession and we believe such is necessary for having a true and valid bishopric. Though as the
Hippolytean tradition shows the laying on of hands with prayer within the Eucharistic service is not always required for the office
of elders or deacons. This is the tradition we follow as we seek to return to a more primitive and pristine form of the faith.
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34 - 35