I (admittedly as a Proddie) see these as inseparable for y'all.
It probably won't shock you to find out that I see them as very separable indeed.
I (admittedly as a Proddie) see these as inseparable for y'all.
Any priesthood which has maintained a passing on by laying on of hands from any of the Apostles, carries on what we consider a valid priesthood. Like the Orthodox or some Anglicans.
Peter, with the keys, is the symbol of unity among all the apostles, and all the Christians. The question of how much authority Peter actually has and how it is exercised is the source of our schisms today. But that does not stop the Orthodox from being Apostolic.
Perhaps it can be best explained by looking at a modern day example. You have some groups who have broken with the Catholic church over Vatican II. These bishops, though no longer in league with the Pope, nonetheless can perform sacraments validly. And they can even create new priests by the laying on of hands validly. They do not do so licitly, that is according to Roman law, but they do so validly.
SD