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Vatican II ABOUT FACE! - Chiesa viva

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172<br />

fore all men the doctrine concerning Bishops,<br />

the successors of the Apostles, who together<br />

with the successor of Peter, the Vicar of Christ,<br />

the visible Head of the whole Church, govern the<br />

house of the living God.»<br />

Now, saying that “with the Successor of Peter, the Bishops<br />

govern the house of the living God” is more than a<br />

misunderstanding, because it can lead us into an error, in<br />

a serious way, for not having emphasized the subordination of<br />

the Bishops to the Pope, which would contradict the First<br />

<strong>Vatican</strong> Council.<br />

At N° 19 we read: “Jesus formed the Twelve after the<br />

manner of a college or a established group, over which He<br />

placed Peter chosen from among them.” And further<br />

ahead:<br />

«And the apostles (…) gather together the universal<br />

Church, which the Lord established on<br />

the Apostles and built upon blessed Peter, their<br />

chief, Christ Jesus Himself being the supreme<br />

cornerstone.»<br />

As we can see, it does not refer to the text: “You are Peter<br />

and on this rock I will build My Church”, so that the<br />

phrases “put Peter at its head,” and “their chief,” or<br />

“head,” have the meaning of a simple “primacy of honor.”<br />

At N° 20, the misunderstanding remains; in fact, it says:<br />

«And just as the office granted individually to<br />

Peter (…) so also the Apostles’ office of nurturing<br />

the Church is permanent, and is to be exercised<br />

without interruption by the sacred order<br />

of Bishops. Therefore, the Sacred Council<br />

teaches that bishops by divine institution have<br />

succeeded to the place of the apostles, as shepherds<br />

of the Church …»

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