"The real teaching is by bishops, received from the uninterrupted Apostles’ chain. There is no higher Christianity for intellectuals". In this tradition, "it is necessary to take into consideration the teaching of the Church of Rome in a special way. The Church of Rome is prevailing and very old, and it has got a ‘higher apostolic degree’, for it originates from the ‘columns’ of the Apostolic College, Peter and Paul: all Churches must harmonize with the Church of Rome". Today, Benedict XVI said that during the traditional Wednesday hearing, in which over twenty thousand believers took part. Talking about Ireneo of Lyon, "the champion of the fight against heresy", the Pope tackled "the question of the ‘faith rule’ and its transmission". "Ireneo said the Pope denies the expectations of heretics from the foundations, and in particular, of the gnostics", advocates of dualism. "They do not own the truth, because they are not of apostolic origin; secondly, the place of truth and salvation are not a privilege or monopoly of the few, but everybody can reach them through the preaching of the Apostles’ successors, and above all, of the Bishop of Rome". (To be continued)
