[Blogger]

I wasn't aware that the apostles were still alive to lay hands on Benedict XVI. Methuselah ain't got nothing on Paul!

[kosta50]

I wasn't aware that the apostles were still alive to lay hands on Benedict XVI

That's really naïve in my opinion, Blogger. It's the succession of apostolic authority passed on in unbroken lineage, the way we have a succession of presidents whose authoirty is based on the system established by the fathers of the country. It's about authoirty. In the Church it comes from the apostles. Outside of the Church, there is none. Private opinions do not qualify as apostolic authoirty any more than somone electing himself to be the "president," or a self-styled, Bible-wielding "pope.".

[annalex]

the apostles were still alive to lay hands

The phenomenon you marvel about is called apostolic succession; however, the apostles and all the saints are alive, yes:

6 [God] will render to every man according to his works. 7 To them indeed, who according to patience in good work, seek glory and honour and incorruption, eternal life

(Romans 2)

This reference to salvific character of works just cropped up inadvertently. Surely St. Paul changed his mind by the time he got around to 3:28.