College of Levantine Churches: Difference between revisions

The College of Levantine Churches preaches two {{wp|sacraments}} - {{wp|baptism}} and the {{wp|Eucharist}} - teaching that these were directly established by {{wp|Jesus Christ}} in the {{wp|gospels}}.  

Although commonly thought of as a sacrament, the College primarily teaches that it is likely not a sacrament due to its anti-{{wp|Sacerdotalism|sacerdotalist}} understanding of the Christian faithful, teaching that holy orders is a conveyance of a sacred trust to bishops and clerics while arguing that Christ alone is the mediator of the Christian faithful. Despite this, the College teaches that holy orders nonetheless has a "sacramental character" confering the status of {{Wp|Apostolic succession|successor of the Apostles}}. The sacramental character of the act is confirmed, according to Collegiate teaching, by Christ's historical call of the twelve apostles. {{wp|Ordination of women}} is prohibited within the College of Levantine Churches. Historically, resolutions on the issue are proposed and defeated in each year's session of the Congress of Bishops.