Vatican I and Perpetual Successors: Does the Church Always Need a Pope?

Novus ordo apologists often accuse sedevacantists of heresy for allegedly denying the perpetual succession of Saint Peter. More ink has been wasted refuting this allegation than the matter deserves. Here, I'll limit myself to explaining the difference between perpetual successors and perpetual successors in the primacy and their implications concerning the necessity of a reigning pope at all times and the possibility of a prolonged vacancy.

PERPETUAL SUCCESSORS	PERPETUAL SUCCESSORS IN THE PRIMACY
If anyone then says that it is not from the institution of Christ the Lord Himself, or by divine right that the blessed Peter has perpetual successors in the primacy over the universal Church, or that the Roman Pontiff is not the successor of blessed Peter in the same primacy, let him be anathema.	If anyone then says that it is not from the institution of Christ the Lord Himself, or by divine right that the blessed Peter has perpetual successors in the primacy over the universal Church, or that the Roman Pontiff is not the successor of blessed Peter in the same primacy, let him be anathema.
It implies that there will always be a pope at every point in time.	Explains that the primacy perdures equally in all successors of Saint Peter.

PERPETUAL SUCCESSORS

Our opponents often misread this passage of Pastor Aeternus, omitting the particle 'in the primacy', which is crucial to the correct interpretation of the text. A little error at the beginning leads to a great one in the end. As they start with an incorrect assumption, what follows is a fallacious argument with no substance.

Here is how they misread the Vatican Council:

If anyone then says that it is not from the institution of Christ the Lord Himself, or by divine right that the blessed Peter has perpetual successors in the primacy over the universal Church, or that the Roman Pontiff is not the successor of blessed Peter in the same primacy, let him be anathema. (D. 1825)

If they were right, this passage could imply that there will always be a pope at all times, which would necessarily rule out the possibility of a prolonged vacancy.

PERPETUAL SUCCESSORS IN THE PRIMACY

The perpetuity of successors in the primacy explains that the primacy endures equally in all successors of Saint Peter. It does not address the possibility of a long-term interregnum. Therefore, it does not preclude the possibility of a prolonged vacancy.

'The principle of organic unity was the principality of St. Peter. The apostolic office was committed to him in all its fulness. It was committed to him, not as a mere individual, and for a time, but as the first of a line of successors in a permanent, perpetual, world-wide supremacy over the spiritual kingdom of Christ. He was as it were multiplied in his associate Apostles. After the death of St. Peter, his successors in the Apostolic See of Rome inherited his primacy, and the other bishops, who succeeded to the ordinary powers of the other Apostles after their death, became his assessors and colleagues in the government of the Church, subordinate princes under the one Sovereign Pontiff. Patriarchates and other minor provinces were not autonomous or voluntary confederations of suffragan bishops. They were parts and provinces of one kingdom. Metropolitans were superior to other bishops, not by any divine right, but as representatives of the Roman Pontiff, and by virtue of an appointment emanating from St. Peter and the other Apostles.' (The American Catholic Quarterly Review, vol. 21, 1896, p. 477)

Thesis.—St. Peter’s primacy of universal jurisdiction over the Church is perpetuated in his successors according to divine institution 

This doctrine is a dogma of faith, defined by the Vatican Council in the following words:

 If any one should deny that it is by the institution of Christ the Lord, or by divine right, that blessed Peter should have a perpetual line of successors in the primacy over the universal Church... let him be anathema.

It is here maintained that the primacy of universal jurisdiction conferred upon St. Peter was not a personal privilege, such as the power of working miracles, or freedom from sin, but a permanent institution, necessary for the very existence of the Church. Therefore, the primacy with all its powers and privileges is transmitted to the successors of St. Peter, who form an unbroken line of supreme pastors to rule the Church in its continued existence as the one, holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church founded by Christ. (Berry, The Church of Christ, St. Louis: B. Herder Book Co., 1927, pp. 342-343)

 IN SHORT: 

	Does it require a pope at all times?	Does it rule out a prolonged vacancy?
PERPETUAL SUCCESSORS	YES	YES
PERPETUAL SUCCESSORS IN THE PRIMACY	NO	NO

REFERENCES

The American Catholic Quarterly Review, vol. 21 (Philadelphia: Charles A. Hardy, 1896), p. 477. 

 Berry, E. Sylvester, The Church of Christ: An Apologetic and Dogmatic Treatise (St. Louis: B. Herder Book Co., 1927), pp. 342-343.

"The 'Perpetual Successors' Objection," Novus Ordo Watch, June 25, 2017, https://novusordowatch.org

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