|
In the Heart of the Church |


"That divine mission, entrusted by
Christ to the apostles, will last until the end of the world, since the Gospel
they are to teach is for all time the source of all life for the
Church...Bishops by divine institution have succeeded to the place of the
apostles...and he who hears them, hears Christ, and
he who rejects them, rejects Christ...In the bishops,
therefore...Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Supreme
High Priest, is present in the midst of those who believe...He is not absent from the gathering of His high
priests, but above all through their excellent service He is preaching the word
of God to all nations, and constantly administering the sacraments of faith to
those who believe...and finally by their wisdom and prudence He
directs and guides the People of the New Testament in their pilgrimage toward
eternal happiness. These pastors, chosen to shepherd the Lord's flock of the
elect, are servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God."
(Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, LUMEN GENTIUM, 20-21)
This page is the work of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and
Mary
Copyright © 2006 SCTJM
|