VATICAN COUNCIL LAYS CONDITIONS
FOR ORTHODOX OR PROTESTANT UNION WITH PAPACY
SEALS THEM WITH ANATHEMAS
UNEDITED
UNEDITED
Source: Decrees of Vatican Council of Faith and the Church (Central Office CHAIR OF UNITY APOSTOLATE, Graymoore, Garrison, NY. Pamphlet No. 11-24, 1958)
“If anyone says that blessed Peter
the apostle was not appointed by Christ the lord as prince of all the apostles and visible head of the whole church militant; or that it was a primacy of honor only and not one of true and proper jurisdiction that he directly and immediately received from our lord Jesus Christ himself: let him be anathema.
the apostle was not appointed by Christ the lord as prince of all the apostles and visible head of the whole church militant; or that it was a primacy of honor only and not one of true and proper jurisdiction that he directly and immediately received from our lord Jesus Christ himself: let him be anathema.
Therefore whoever succeeds to the chair of Peter obtains by the institution of Christ himself, the primacy of Peter over the whole church. So what the truth has ordained stands firm, and blessed Peter perseveres in the rock-like strength he was granted, and does not abandon that guidance of the church which he once received .
For this reason it has always been necessary for every church--that is to say the faithful throughout the world--to be in agreement with the Roman church because of its more effective leadership.