Sublime

For the Roman pontiff has, by virtue of his office as vicar of Christ and shepherd of the whole church, full, supreme and universal power over the church, a power he is always able to exercise freely. However, the order of bishops, which succeeds the college of apostles in teaching authority and pastoral government, and indeed in which the

This church, set up and organised in this world as a society, subsists in the catholic church, governed by the successor of Peter and the bishops in communion with him,13 although outside its structure many elements of sanctification and of truth are to be found which, as proper gifts to the church of Christ, impel towards catholic unity.