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18. Was the threefold office, which was common to all the Apostles, to continue at all times?

Yes; according to the appointment of Christ, it was to pass over from the Apostles to their Successors, and to continue in them, without interruption, to the end of the world.

19. How do we know this appointment of Christ?

From the words which He spoke when He conferred the office upon them: 'And behold, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world' (Matt, xxviii. 20); which evidently cannot be understood to have been said to the Apostles alone, since they, of course, were not to live to the end of the world.

20. Who are the Successors of the Apostles?

The Bishops who are rightly consecrated, and are in communion with the Head of the Church, the Pope — i.e., the Bishops of the Catholic Church.

21. Why can no one be a Successor of the Apostles who is not in communion with the Head of the Church?

1. Because he who is separated from the Head cannot