Vox Patrum, 2010, Vol. 55

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Kilka uwag na temat początków urzędu biskupiego w ujęciu historycznym
(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2010) Bielak, Włodzimierz
Pursuant to the contemporary teaching of the Catholic Church bishops are deemed the successors of Apostles – and the only continuation in their offices. This thesis, posed by the dogmatic theology, should not be questioned. From the perspective of history, however, the issue is not that straightforward. The oldest monumental Christian scripts would rather suggest the separation of bishops from the presbyters. The following facts evidence this process: 1. Presbyters have been commonly present since the beginnings of the Church in all church fellowships – as opposed to bishops. Even the old Church of Corinth was long marked by the absence of a bishop’s office. 2. Originally, the terms presbyteroi i episcopoi were used interchangeably, even as long as until 3rd century. 3. There was a collegial management board of the then Churches. 4. The scripts of St. Hieronim still nurture the idea of bishops’ and presbyters’ oneness. 5. The above article shall stress the need to apply historical data in order to clarify the origins of the bishop’s office.