35. THE QUESTION WAS:
According to Augustine, why was a Donatist bishop not a true bishop of the
Church?
THE ANSWER IS ..A .A Donatist bishop was not a direct successor of an apostle and therefore was not a true representative of the Church
Here is the Augustine quote : "If the very order of episcopal
succession is to be considered, how much more surely, truly, and safely do we
number them [the bishops of Rome] from Peter himself, to whom, as to one
representing the whole Church, the Lord said, Upon this rock I will build my
Church, and the gates of hell shall not conquer it. Peter was succeeded by
Linus, Linus by Clement. ... In this order of succession a Donatist bishop is
not to be found" (Letters 53:1:2 [A.D. 412]).
For more Early Church comments
on the succession of bishops from apostles, see: http://www.catholic.com/library/Apostolic_Succession.asp
http://www.catholic.com/library/Peter_Successors.asp
http://www.catholic.com/library/Origins_of_Peter_as_Pope.asp
http://www.catholic.com/library/Authority_of_the_Pope_Part_1.asp
http://www.catholic.com/library/fathers_know_best.asp
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