Vatican II In A Year Day 63: LG 20: Priests and Deacons
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Mar 4, 2025 A close reading of Lumen Gentium paragraph 20 exploring how bishops, priests, and deacons continue apostolic ministry. Short reflections on the need for structural continuity in tradition. Historical context from Irenaeus and examples of unwritten traditions like Marian teaching.
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Bishops Preserve Apostolic Continuity
- Bishops preserve apostolic continuity to ensure the same Gospel across time and places.
- Fr. Matthew cites St. Irenaeus and early succession practices to show this transmission dates within a century of the apostles.
Structure Prevents Doctrinal Fragmentation
- A stable hierarchical structure prevents doctrinal fragmentation like the many Protestant denominations.
- Fr. Matthew contrasts 30,000 Protestant splits with Catholic unity maintained by episcopal transmission and common creedal doctrine.
St Irenaeus Shows Early Succession Is Near Apostolic Times
- Fr. Matthew highlights St. Irenaeus living around 130–200 to show closeness to the apostles historically.
- He compares that span to modern generational distance, making early succession feel much like living memory.