From Apostles To Bishops

Examines the origins and development of the episcopacy in the early church with an eye toward its implications for current ecumenical issues relating to the episcopacy and apostolic succession.

Examines the origins and development of the episcopacy in the early church with an eye toward its implications for current ecumenical issues relating to the episcopacy and apostolic succession.

Here's the newest revised and expanded edition of Bishop Karl Pruter's standard guide to the independent Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox Bishops located in North America. These episcopi vagantes owe allegiance to no major church body, but, in the best tradition of the early apostles, have either established small independent parishes to serve the faithful, or wander from place to place preaching the Christian gospel. The Directory is arranged alphabetically by surname or religious name, with complete addresses. All scholars of the independent Catholic and Orthodox churches will welcome Bishop Karl's newest edition to the growing literature on autocephaly.

"With the whole Christian world looking on, we Catholics have entered a sometimes acrimonious debate with ourselves as to what should be expected of those who are in the special ministry of the Church, i.e., the priesthood--What manner of life should our priests live and what work should they do? Also under review is the role of the bishop, said traditionally to possess the fullness of the priesthood. We are asking whether the authority structure on all levels should be more collegial or democratic and what such a change would mean in light of the traditional theology of the episcopate. Ecumenically we are pondering our relationships to other churches in which there is no episcopate in apostolic succession." --from the Preface