Apostolic Succession

Apostolic Succession

A visible sign of sacramental continuity in the life of the Church

Apostolic succession is one of the ways the Church understands and preserves continuity with the apostolic ministry handed down from the earliest generations of Christianity. In catholic life, it refers to the consecration of bishops through the laying on of hands in an unbroken line reaching back to the apostles and, ultimately, to Jesus Christ.

For Old Catholic Churches International, apostolic succession matters both spiritually and historically. It is not treated as an ornament or as a mere claim of prestige, but as part of the Church’s public witness concerning sacramental integrity, episcopal order, and continuity within the wider catholic tradition.

This page offers a clear introduction to that teaching and provides access to the public succession records presently made available by OCCI.

What apostolic succession means

In the OCCI understanding, a valid bishop is one consecrated by the laying on of hands in an unbroken tactile line extending back to the apostles. This succession is treated as a sign of ecclesial continuity and as part of the visible order of the Church.

That claim is not simply about genealogy. It concerns the Church’s sacramental life, its confidence in episcopal ministry, and the continuity of catholic worship and governance across time. Apostolic succession therefore carries theological, liturgical, and pastoral significance.

It is for this reason that OCCI presents succession records publicly and connects them to its broader sacramental and ecclesial witness.

Why it matters in OCCI

Old Catholic Churches International presents itself as a catholic, apostolic, sacramental communion. Within that identity, apostolic succession serves as one visible sign that the Church’s ministry is not self-invented or detached from the wider historic life of the Church.

OCCI also emphasizes that succession matters in ecumenical terms. It is not merely an internal credential, but part of the Church’s effort to locate itself within the broader body of Christ and to demonstrate continuity with historic catholic sources of sacramental life.

In short, apostolic succession supports the Church’s public claim to sacramental seriousness, episcopal order, and catholic continuity.

Ecclesial continuity and historical sources

OCCI’s Apostolic Succession materials state that its original records reside with the historic Churches of the East and with the Roman Catholic Church, since its descent from those churches occurs in the modern period. For that reason, the public presentation focuses especially on the latter stages of succession, with earlier stages being documented elsewhere in standard references.

The page also identifies the principal succession of OCCI as coming through the Apostolic Episcopal Church and notes the ecumenical significance of the union of different strands of succession transmitted through historic churches.

That combination of spiritual meaning, historical continuity, and public documentation is what gives this page its place within the larger life of the communion.

Public succession records

OCCI’s current Apostolic Succession page publicly provides succession records for several bishops. These records are offered as documentation of the Church’s apostolic continuity and as part of its public witness concerning sacramental and episcopal legitimacy.

Apostolic succession and the wider communion

Apostolic succession should not be read in isolation from the wider life of the Church. In OCCI it belongs within a broader communion of dioceses, bishops, clergy, parishes, religious communities, and ministries serving the gospel in many settings.

That wider communion gives practical shape to what apostolic succession serves: sacramental life, ecclesial order, pastoral ministry, and the Church’s continued witness in the world.

A final word

Apostolic succession remains an important part of how OCCI understands its place within the visible and sacramental life of the Church. It is presented not as a boast, but as a matter of ecclesial seriousness, public accountability, and catholic continuity.

We hope this page helps clarify both the meaning of apostolic succession and the public records OCCI provides in support of that witness.