Introduction

In his opening statement, Barry Bickmore touched on some of the common beliefs the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has with the Catholic Church. It is good to remind ourselves that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, striving to do God's will in our lives. Seeking to find the common ground between our two faiths is an admirable thing to do and I commend Barry for his efforts. I am especially pleased that we can agree on the need for a valid succession of priesthood ordinations that can be traced back to Jesus Christ Himself. Without valid priesthood authority derived from the foundation of Jesus Christ, there can be no true church (1 Corinthians 3:10-13). However, as I pointed out in my opening statement, there can only be one truth concerning the LDS theory of the total apostasy of the early Christian Church. The question we must answer here is: "Did Jesus Christ leave His entire flock without any earthly shepherds for almost 1,800 years of total apostasy or did He keep His promise to be with His Church until the end of time through apostolic succession?"

The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church can support her claims to apostolic succession of the priesthood through the evidence of Holy Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the teaching authority of the successor to Peter and the validly ordained bishops in communion with him. Holy Scripture clearly tells us that Christ left a Church that would continue to teach the Gospel until the end of time. History shows that the Catholic Church has been in existence for almost 2,000 years, teaching the same Gospel as was taught by Jesus Christ to His Apostles and entrusted by them to the whole Church in the "Sacred deposit" of the faith (depositum fidei). On the other hand, the LDS church can only trace her earthly authority as far back as the early 1800's when a series of private revelations from resurrected beings, angels, and messengers from heaven restored the "lost" priesthood to the earth through Joseph Smith and his followers.

Which is the Catholic Church?

To begin with, I would like to address Barry's incorrect interpretation that the Catholic Church includes the Orthodox, Anglican, and Monophysite churches. I submit that these churches have all cut themselves off from the Catholic Church through their refusal to accept the primacy and authority of the successor to Peter. How can we tell which is the Catholic Church and which churches, such as the Orthodox, Anglicans, Monophysites, Protestants, and others, have separated themselves from the Mystical Body of Christ? To help answer this question, the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325 issued a creed composed by the Council Fathers in response to the Arian heresy. It is commonly called the Nicene Creed and it presents the chief doctrines of the Catholic Faith. The Nicene Creed identifies four marks (qualities or characteristics) which help to identify the true Church of Jesus Christ. The Nicene Creed states, "We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church". Thus we have the four identifying marks or characteristics that we can expect to find in the true Church.

The Church is One (CCC 866)

The true Church of Jesus Christ must have a unity in belief, in worship, and in government or leadership. Unity in belief and worship means that the Church of today must hold to the same teachings and traditions that were given to the Twelve Apostles by Christ and subsequently passed on to their successors. The true Church must adhere to the same beliefs today as were practiced by the early Christians. The Bible tells us that there should be one flock (Jews and Gentiles) and one shepherd (John 10:16). Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11 and John 10:14). He entrusted His flock on earth (the Church) to Peter and his successors (John 21:15-17). Jesus knew that there would be contention among His followers so He prayed for unity of His Church "that they may be one" (John 17:11 and John 17:22-23). The unity that Christ prayed for is to be for ALL: ALL nations, concerning ALL doctrines of faith and morals, and for ALL ages to come. 1 The unity of the Catholic Church is to be found under one visible head of government and leadership, the Apostolic College with Peter and his successors as its head. (see also CCC 813)

The Church is Holy (CCC 867)

The true Church of Jesus Christ must have holiness. Holiness in its founder, holiness in its principles, holiness in its members, and holiness in its miracles. The Bible tells us that Jesus prayed for the holiness of His Church, to "Sanctify them" (John 17:17), "consecrated in truth" (John 17:19). Jesus Christ desires that the Church consist of His own sheep who have been purified for Him as an acceptable people (Titus 2:14). However, we must expect that there will be unworthy members in His Church as well. To demonstrate this, Jesus gave us some parables to help in our understanding. In the parable of the sower of seed, Jesus shows us the good and bad dispositions with which various men hear the word of God (Matthew 13:3-8). In the parable of the weeds and the wheat, He said that we must allow both the weeds and the wheat to grow together in the field until it is time for the harvest (Matthew 13:24-30). In another parable, he likened the kingdom of heaven to a net full of good fish and bad fish which will be separated by the angels at the close of the age (Matthew 13:47-50). Jesus also tells the story of the king who saw one of his guests without a wedding garment. When asked how he got there, the man was speechless and the king had him cast into the outer darkness (Matthew 22:11-14). All of these parables point to the fact that there will be both holy and unholy people together in the Church until the final judgment when the unholy members will be cast out (Matthew 7:16-17). Indeed, scandalous crimes have been committed by some members of the Catholic Church. Sometimes these mistakes have involved not only the laity, but also priests, bishops, and on occasion even a pope. These scandals do not prove that the Catholic Church is false, only that the Church contains sinners as well as saints. Paul's words concerning the Jews also applies to Christians. (Romans 3:3-4) (see also 2 Timothy 2:13)

The Church is Catholic (CCC 868)

The word "catholic", with a small "c", means general or universal, from the Greek word katholikos. "Catholic" comes from the Greek. "Universal" comes from the Latin. They both mean "all". The word "catholic" first occurs in Christian use in the letter of St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans around A.D. 110: "Wheresoever the bishop shall appear, there let the people be, even as where Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church". The Catholic Church consists of a universality in time and in place. There are two elements to the word "universal": 1) all AND one, and, 2) all IN one. The Catholic Church has consistently been the "universal" Church for the past 2,000 years. The Bible tells us that the gospel will continue to be preached throughout the whole world until the end of time (Matthew 24:14), to the whole creation throughout all the world (Mark 16:15), and by the power of the Holy Spirit to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). The Catholic Church (with a capital "C") is catholic (with a small "c") or universal because it consists of "ALL of Christ's teachings to ALL men at ALL times in ALL places." 2 (see also CCC 830-831)

The Church is Apostolic (CCC 869)

The true Church must always teach the identical doctrines that were originally delivered to it by Peter and the Apostles. Her ministers must derive their powers from the Apostles by an uninterrupted chain of succession and their teachings must be the same as those of Christ's Apostles. "Consequently, no church can claim to be the true one whose doctrines differ from those of the Apostles, or whose ministers are unable to trace, by an unbroken chain, their authority to an Apostolic source; just as our Minister to England can exercise no authority in that country unless he is duly commissioned by our Government and represents its views." 3 We read in the Bible that Peter is the rock upon which Christ will build His Church (Matthew 16:18). Christ knew that Peter would not live until the end of time, so the promise to protect His Church against the powers of death must have been intended to include Peter's successors as well. Jesus commissioned His disciples to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations. He promised that He would be with them always, to the close of the age (Matthew 28:18-20). Again, since He knew that the disciples would not live until the close of the age, this promise must also apply to their successors. The Church was "built upon the foundation of the Apostles" (Ephesians 2:19-22). "Any church claiming to be Christ's own must be able to trace its lineage in unbroken continuity back to the apostles." 4 (see also CCC 857)

Mr. Bickmore is in error when he suggests that the Orthodox, Anglican, and Monophysites fall under the umbrella of the Catholic Church. These churches have all cut themselves off from the Catholic Church primarily through their refusal to accept the primacy and authority of the successor to Peter. The following is a brief summary of these three groups and some of the reasons why they cannot be considered in full Communion with the Catholic Church.

Orthodox

Orthodox (Eastern Christians) have a valid sacramental and hierarchical system but are not in full Communion with the Catholic Church (they do not accept the authority of the Pope as the successor of Peter). The Orthodox Church separated from the Catholic Church almost 1,000 years ago in the "Great Schism" of A.D. 1054. Catholic Christians long for the day when we can be reconciled with our Orthodox brothers and sisters and once again have unity between us according to the mind of Christ.

Anglican

The Anglican (Episcopal) churches came about as a result of the King of England, Henry VIII, severing the English ties with the Catholic Church at Rome, primarily because the Pope refused to grant him a divorce with the right to re-marry. The Catholic Church considers Anglican Holy Orders to be invalid. This is based on a papal pronouncement issued by Pope Leo XIII entitled Apostolicae Curae dated September 13, 1896. The New Advent online Catholic Encyclopedia entry for Apostolic Succession also has a good explanation of why the Anglican claim of continuity through the pre-Reformation Church of England to the Catholic Church is not valid.

Monophysites

The Monophysites deny that Jesus Christ has two natures, divine and human. Monophysism is a Christological heresy from the fifth-century. It was condemned at the Second Council of Constantinople in A.D. 553.

There is, in fact, a "common ground" between the Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We both agree that:

• A valid chain of priesthood authority through ordinations is necessary.
The Catholic Church teaches and believes that this chain of priesthood authority, through "apostolic succession", has remained unbroken for the past 2,000 years.
• Peter was singled out by Christ to be first in authority among the apostles.
The Catholic Church teaches and believes that this primacy of authority has been passed on to each subsequent successor to the "Chair of Peter", the Bishop of the Church at Rome.
• Appointments were always made with the assurance of the Holy Ghost.
The Catholic Church teaches and believes that the Holy Spirit has continued to guide the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ for the past 2,000 years (John 16:13).
• Either the Catholic position or the Latter-day Saint position must be correct and therefore the other position must be incorrect.
There cannot be two truths in opposition to each other. The Catholic Church teaches and believes that through "apostolic succession" the Church of Jesus Christ has remained continuously on the earth since it was founded by Our Lord in A.D. 33. The marvelous spread of the Catholic Church (the kingdom of heaven on earth) for the past 2,000 years can be likened to a grain of mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32).

• TOTAL apostasy of the early Christian Church.
Historical and Scriptural evidence does not indicate that the apostasy consisted of a complete removal of Christ's Church from the earth. The New Testament Scriptures repeatedly describe an apostasy "FROM" the Church, not an apostasy "OF" the Church. The Old Testament also documents numerous instances of members of God's chosen people falling away from the Laws and Commandments given to them, only to be once again reconciled with God. At no time did God completely abandon His chosen people. In fact, at one point in the Old Testament the Prophet Eli'jah thought that he was the last believer left on the earth. He was convinced that the people had completely turned their backs to God, thus making the apostasy of the children of Israel complete and total. However, God revealed that there were still 7,000 believers left who were entirely unknown to Eli'jah (1 Kings 19:14-18). Likewise, at no time has God totally abandoned His people of the "New Covenant" by taking the keys to the kingdom of heaven away from them through a loss of priesthood authority on earth. Only God can judge the internal disposition of hearts. It is not for us to decide who is a true believer and who is not. We have the promise of Christ to remain with His Church until the end of time. We must have faith that God has given us His Word and that He has steadfastly protected His Church from total apostasy as He has promised. We must look to that same Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, for the fullness of the truth.
• Apostolic succession does not imply an actual succession of "apostles".
Jesus Christ chose the Twelve to be His apostles. There were other disciples, but only Twelve were counted as the apostles (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16; Acts 1:13). The word "apostle" comes from the Greek apostolos, which means one sent off or commissioned. To be an apostle, the requirements were: 1) to have accompanied the Lord Jesus, from the baptism of John until the day when He was crucified; and 2) to be a witness of His resurrection from the dead (Acts 1:20-22). The Twelve appointed others to be their disciples and they gave them the priesthood authority to lead the Church. However, when the criteria for being an "apostle" could no longer be met, no others were appointed to that position. In the early Church, the apostles are called bishops but the bishops are never called apostles.

The Early Church Fathers understood the importance of the Church as the repository for the truth as taught by the apostles. St. Irenaeus speaks of the tradition of truth handed down from the apostles to their successors and that everything which pertains to the truth can be found in the Church.

"When, therefore, we have such proofs, it is not necessary to seek among others the truth which is easily obtained from the Church. For the Apostles, like a rich man in a bank, deposited with her most copiously everything which pertains to the truth; and everyone whosoever wishes draws from her the drink of life. For she is the entrance to life, while all the rest are thieves and robbers. That is why it is surely necessary to avoid them, while cherishing with the utmost diligence the things pertaining to the Church, and to lay hold of the tradition of truth. What then? If there should be a dispute over some kind of question, ought we not have recourse to the most ancient Churches in which the Apostles were familiar, and draw from them what is clear and certain in regard to that question? What if the Apostles had not in fact left writings to us? Would it not be necessary to follow the order of tradition, which was handed down to those to whom they entrusted the Churches?"
St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies (inter A.D. 180/199), Jurgens5, para 213
• Catholic bishops cut themselves off from Christ's Church during the Middle Ages.
Some Catholic bishops have cut themselves off from the Church, not just during the Middle Ages, but at various times throughout the history of the Church as well. Even in modern times there have been bishops excommunicated from the Catholic Church for their refusal to submit to the teaching authority of the Magisterium and the Bishop of Rome. However, at no point in history have ALL the bishops throughout the entire world cut themselves off from the Church at the same time. St. Augustine of Hippo wrote an epitome of the proceedings of a conference of Catholic and Donatist bishops held at Carthage in A.D. 411. His comments were applicable then; in the Middle Ages; and even still today. He wrote:
"Catholics refute their calumny about two churches, proving again and again more clearly what they declare, that is, that being now a Church mixed with evil members, it does not on that account call itself a Church foreign to the kingdom of God, where there will not be this mixture containing evil members; but the same Church, one and holy, is now in one condition and then it will be in another. Now it is mixed and has evil members, then it will not have such. Now it is mortal because it is made up of mortal men; then it will be immortal, because there will be nothing corporeal in it, nothing that can die."
St. Augustine of Hippo, Brief on the conference with the Donatists, (A.D. 411), Jurgens, para 1714.
At this point it might be good to explain some terms which are sometimes confusing or misused. When the Catholic Church claims that she has the authority to infallibly define a teaching as revealed by God (in Sacred Scripture or Sacred Tradition) and therefore binding on the faithful, it does not mean that the pope or any of the bishops in communion with him are themselves infallible or impeccable. The Catholic Church has the authority to speak in Christ's name. Jesus entrusted His teachings to the Apostles and to their successors (1 Timothy 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6) who were chosen by means of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:2). The Holy Spirit continues to guide the Church (John 16:13) and helps her to guard the deposit of sound doctrine (2 Timothy 1:13). Infallibility is the assurance of freedom from error when solemnly proclaiming the truths of God to the Universal Church in matters of faith and morals (Matthew 28:20). Impeccability implies the impossibility of sinning. Jesus is impeccable because of His divinity. The Catholic Church teaches that Mary was impeccable because she was conceived without the stain of original sin. We also believe the saints in Heaven cannot sin because they experience the beatific vision. However, everyone else, including popes and bishops, are capable of sinning. Indefectibility means that the Church will last until the end of time (Matthew 16:18)
• "Latter-day Saints, in general, do not consider Catholicism to be "anti-Christ", without truth...."
This is an interesting comment from Mr. Bickmore, considering that fact that in the Book of Mormon, 1 and 2 Nephi, one can find no less than sixteen references to the "abominable church" of the devil. This "great and abominable church" has allegedly taken away many plain and precious parts from the gospel and the book (the Bible) (1 Nephi 13:25-29). One can only conclude that these are direct references to the Catholic Church. Additionally, the vision received by Joseph Smith as described in the Pearl of Great Price is a condemnation of all religious sects of the time (Joseph Smith - History, 1:18-19, First Vision). Again, one can only conclude that the Catholic Church is also declared an abomination in the site of God, according to Joseph Smith.
• "...this rebellion and loss of authority was accompanied by some rejection of various revealed truths..."
I would like to respectfully ask Barry to list exactly what these various revealed truths are that have been rejected by the Catholic Church. Once these truths have been identified, it is incumbent upon Mr. Bickmore to show where they are taught in the Bible or Sacred Tradition and not taught in the Catholic Church now. In the absence of any historical proof of these allegedly revealed truths being taught by Jesus Christ to His apostles/disciples and being accepted/practiced in the early Christian church, these claims are without basis in fact.
• Continuing public revelation and prophecy after Christ.
God's Spirit has spoken to us through the prophets from the beginning until "the fullness of time" (Galatians 4:4). Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the prophets preserved the revealed Word of God in Sacred Scripture. The Jewish tradition of the Old Testament is separated into three distinct categories: 1) The Law; 2) The Prophets; and 3) The Writings. The Catholic Church also considers those who wrote the books of the New Testament to be "prophets" (inspired by the Holy Spirit). (CCC 702)

John the Baptist is the precursor to Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that he is "more than a prophet" (Luke 7:26). In him, the Holy Spirit concludes His speaking through the prophets (CCC 717-720). Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the prophecies. In Him, God has said everything there is to be revealed. He is the Messiah; the apostle and high priest; the prophet; and the king that Israel had been waiting for (CCC 436). There will be no new public revelation expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ (CCC 65-67). God has revealed Himself fully by sending His own Son, in Whom He has established His covenant for ever. The Son is His Father's definitive Word; so there will be no further Revelation after Him (CCC 73).

The early Church Fathers also taught that after the death of the Apostles it was not possible for the body of revelation to be augmented or diminished. There is an ancient writing called the "Didache" (the Teaching) which scholars believe was composed sometime in the latter half of the first century. It states that:

"You shall not abandon the commandments of the Lord; but you shall keep what you have received, adding nothing to it nor taking anything away." (see also Deuteronomy 4:2, Deuteronomy 12:32 and Revelation 22:18-19) (Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, [ca. A.D. 140], Jurgens, para 2)

Tertullian wrote around A.D. 200 that, "After Jesus Christ, there is no need of further search; nor, after the Gospel, is there any further inquiry. Inasmuch as we believe, we desire nothing further to believe. For beyond what we already have, we believe there is nothing further that we ought to believe. (Tertullian, The Demurrer Against the Heretics [ca. A.D. 200], Jurgens, para 288)

A careful reading of the Early Church Fathers shows that they consistently teach Catholic doctrines throughout their writings. St. Clement talks about the authority as Bishop of Rome and head of the Church. He also describes the Mass as a sacrifice. St. Gregory I writes that there was a progressive revelation until the death of the Apostles. St. Irenaeus indicates that it has not been possible for the body of revelation either to be augmented or diminished since the death of the Apostles. He also speaks about how the Church was handed down from the Apostles to the bishops through succession and that the Church contains the complete tradition of the Scriptures. He tells us they have been guarded against falsification by the Church and her bishops. Tertullian also tells us not to expect any further revelation other than that which has been received through the Church founded by the Apostles. He says that the truths Christ revealed to the Apostles can only be proven through the same Church founded by the Apostles. St. Athanasius writes that the Catholic Church does not invent new doctrine but rather she infallibly defines the doctrine taught by the Apostles. St. John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of obedience and faith in following the teachings brought to us from the Apostles. St. Vincent of Lerins has some interesting things to say about those who claim they have knowledge of revealed truths other than that which was entrusted to the Church by the Apostles. He also talks about the importance of guarding "what has been committed" against the ingenuity of private revelation put forth by individuals. St. Cyprian of Carthage writes about how the true Church of Christ can be recognized by certain notes such as "One and Catholic". St. Augustine of Hippo also identifies the four marks of the Catholic Church and states emphatically that she cannot be beaten by the gates of hell. In another letter, St. Augustine of Hippo writes about the unity, holiness, authority, and the succession of priests from the Apostle Peter, which can only be found in the Catholic Church. St. Ignatius of Antioch6 tells the early Christians that they are subject to the bishop as to Jesus Christ; that they are to maintain union with their bishop because they have obtained their ministry through apostolic succession directly from the Lord; and that nothing should be done without the bishop. These and many other writings from the Early Church Fathers overwhelmingly show that there was a unity of belief and organization in the ancient Church. We have no indication of extraordinary concern for a total apostasy of the Church in any of their writings. Quite to the contrary, we see the Church growing and spreading throughout the world, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ just as she has received it directly from the Apostles. This same Gospel has been protected and preserved for the past 2,000 years by the successors to the Apostles, the bishops of the Catholic Church.

Conclusion

It is interesting to note that the Apostles are generally listed ahead of the prophets in the New Testament because of their importance above the prophets (1 Corinthians 12:28-29, Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 3:5, Ephesians 4:11, and Revelations 18:20). Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the prophesies. The final public revelations from God are made known to us through the Apostles, who gave us their writings (the Bible) and their oral teachings (Sacred Traditions), protected and passed down to us through the Church. The bishops of the Catholic Church are nothing less than the legitimate successors of the Apostles. As such, they alone have the authority to teach in His name.

In Sacred Scripture (Matthew 7:24-27), we are told that Jesus is like the wise man who built his house (the Church) on a rock (Peter) (Matthew 16:18). In Matthew 18:15-18, Jesus tells us to take disputes involving religious matters to the Church. To understand Christianity one must look first to its founder Jesus Christ. He must have known that the Church would remain true and continue in its existence until the end of time. The Catholic Church has consistently demonstrated strength, stability, and permanence in teaching the truth for the past 2,000 years. If there was a break in the Church on earth through a total apostasy, when exactly did it happen? When did the Church of Jesus Christ cease to exist and when did the Catholic Church come into existence?

I would like to conclude with some interesting comments I read in a recent article in This Rock Magazine, published by Catholic Answers, Inc.. The article was taken from the introduction to a book entitled "The Continuity of the Catholic Church", written by Duane G. Hunt, who was appointed as the Catholic bishop of Salt Lake City in 1937. 7  Bishop Hunt wrote that, "Christianity is both visible and invisible, both physical and spiritual, both body and soul". We know through the writings of the Early Church Fathers, as well as non-Christian historians, that the Catholic Church has been physically visible for the past 2,000 years. We also know through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that He will be with His Church spiritually until the end of time. Bishop Hunt went on to say that "continuity is the measure of validity". Only the Catholic Church can claim 2,000 years of continued existence on the earth with authority derived through apostolic succession directly from the Apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. According to Hunt, "every doctrine of the Catholic Church has been denied by some group of persons at some stage in the Church's long history". Despite all of this, she continues to proclaim the fullness of Christianity. She is the Church of the living God, the "pillar and bulwark" (foundation) of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).
 

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