What does "Apostle" mean? "One who is sent". The priests are apostles in that definition of the word. They have been sent by the original 12 (and Paul) to continue the work of Christ's Church on earth. Christ did not establish a Church that would last only until the original Apostles that He walked the earth with died. He gave the Church the power to heal men of sin - and He intended for the Church to continue this ministry until the end of time.
Regards
If the priests were the same as the original apostles, they would have the signs of the apsotles.
They don't.
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Priests are obviously not apostles.
Acts 5:12 ¶And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
Is Father Michael Edwin Wempe an apostle?
Wempe, 66, was sentenced to jail last week for sexually abusing a young boy in his congregation.
Wempe has admitted to sexually abusing 13 boys during his 36-year career in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.