Hi to all,
This is about the papacy. It was written year 2000 in a group name Journey to Catholicism responding to SinnerJohn who was Greek Orthodox. That was before CCA. When that group close, I found the necessity with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to formed CCA, a place for evangelization and apologetics, all welcome no matter the faith or lack of faith. The group was in msn networks group. Another group named Catholicism was taken over by a person who did not allow any attack to the Catholic Church. Apologetics involved to allow attacks to the Church so we can share with love the Truth who is right. All is for the greater glory of God and the salvation of all souls.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130-202)
Adversus haereses (inter A.D. 180/199)
Book III
Chapter 3
A refutation of the heretics, from the fact that, in the various churches, a perpetual succession of bishops was kept up
2. Since, however, it would be very tedious, in such a volume as this, to reckon up the successions of all the Churches, we do put to confusion all those who, in whatever manner, whether by an evil self-pleasing, by vainglory, or by blindness and perverse opinion, assemble in unauthorized meetings; [we do this, I say,] by indicating that tradition derived from the apostles, of the very great, the very ancient, and universally known Church founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul; as also [by pointing out] the faith preached to men, which comes down to our time by means of the successions of the bishops. For it is a matter of necessity that every Church should agree with this Church, on account of its preeminent authority -- that is, the faithful everywhere -- inasmuch as the Apostolic Tradition has been preserved continuously by those who are everywhere. [Ad hanc enim eoclesiam propter potentiorem principalitatem necesse est omnem convenire ecclesiam, hoc est eos qui sunt undique fideles, in qua semper ab his qui sunt undique, conservata est ea quâ est ab apostolis traditio].
3. The blessed apostles, then, having founded and built up the Church, committed into the hands of Linus the office of the episcopate. Of this Linus, Paul makes mention in the Epistles to Timothy. To him succeeded Anacletus; and after him, in the third place from the apostles, Clement was allotted the bishopric. This man, as he had seen the blessed apostles, and had been conversant with them, might be said to have the preaching of the apostles still echoing [in his ears], and their traditions before his eyes. Nor was he alone [in this], for there were many still remaining who had received instructions from the apostles. In the time of this Clement, no small dissension having occurred among the brethren at Corinth, the Church in Rome despatched a most powerful letter to the Corinthians, exhorting them to peace, renewing their faith, and declaring the tradition which it had lately received from the apostles, proclaiming the one God, omnipotent, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Creator of man, who brought on the deluge, and called Abraham, who led the people from the land of Egypt, spake with Moses, set forth the law, sent the prophets, and who has prepared fire for the devil and his angels. From this document, whosoever chooses to do so, may learn that He, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, was preached by the Churches, and may also understand the apostolical tradition of the Church, since this Epistle is of older date than these men who are now propagating falsehood, and who conjure into existence another god beyond the Creator and the Maker of all existing things. To this Clement there succeeded Evaristus. Alexander followed Evaristus; then, sixth from the apostles, Sixtus was appointed; after him, Telephorus, who was gloriously martyred; then Hyginus; after him, Pius; then after him, Anicetus. Sorer having succeeded Anicetus, Eleutherius does now, in the twelfth place from the apostles, hold the inheritance of the episcopate. In this order, and by this succession, the ecclesiastical tradition from the apostles, and the preaching of the truth, have come down to us. And this is most abundant proof that there is one and the same vivifying faith, which has been preserved in the Church from the apostles until now, and handed down in truth.
Did you have a chance to come across with this document? Thanks to God, I could find it after somebody mentioned of the existence. This is additional proof about the Papacy. It is very clear. It showed St Peter succession in the same way we have it. It is solid. If you do not see it, you are fundamentalist; in which only Bible matter no History. I know you believe in Traditions. If you do not see all that have been explained and proof, you believe in the Orthodox, in the same way that some Protestants believe Bible only. They do not care what the Early Fathers of the Church said due to ignorance or intentionally. They do not care to know the truth and realize that their position is wrong. Their views are better than the truth, sin of pride, sin of the devil. We will enter to Heaven only if we are truly humble.
Conclusion
We are the Church that Jesus founded and we are fully ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, and APOSTOLIC. Apostles, no Jesus Himself, founded Orthodox. If you know the Catholic Church is the Church that Jesus founded and you refuse to belong, you reject Jesus. Because we are truly, the Body of Christ. Jesus gives the Pope and papal succession is part of it. Jesus said I will be with you always, to the end of times.
God bless all,
Doc