Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 137 - Part IV.

YOUCAT Question n. 137 - Part IV. Why is the Church called apostolic?

(Youcat answer - repeated) The Church is called apostolic because she was founded by the apostles, holds fast to their Tradition, and is governed by their successors.         

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 877a) Likewise, it belongs to the sacramental nature of ecclesial ministry that it have a collegial character. In fact, from the beginning of his ministry, the Lord Jesus instituted the Twelve as "the seeds of the new Israel and the beginning of the sacred hierarchy" (AG 5). Chosen together, they were also sent out together, and their fraternal unity would be at the service of the fraternal communion of all the faithful: they would reflect and witness to the communion of the divine persons (Cf. Jn 17:21-23).     

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Jesus called the Apostles to be his closest collaborators. They were his eyewitnesses. After his Resurrection, he appeared to them repeatedly. He bestowed on them the Holy Spirit and sent them as his authoritative messengers to all the world. They assured unity in the early Church. They conferred their mission and authority upon their successors, the bishops, through the laying on of hands. This process is called Apostolic Succession.      

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 877b) For this reason every bishop exercises his ministry from within the episcopal college, in communion with the bishop of Rome, the successor of St. Peter and head of the college. So also priests exercise their ministry from within the presbyterium of the diocese, under the direction of their bishop.     

(The next question is: How is the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church structured?)