“And if it IS correct - then the Roman Catholic church isn’t a real church, as it split from the Eastern Orthodox and thus no longer has Apostolic succession.”
“Because these Churches, although separated, have true sacraments and above all – because of the apostolic succession – the priesthood and the Eucharist, by means of which they remain linked to us by very close bonds”[13], they merit the title of “particular or local Churches”[14], and are called sister Churches of the particular Catholic Churches.[15]”
That is from the 2007 release. It was in reference to the “oriental Churches.” If the Orthodox Churches don’t think Catholics retain apostolic succession, why do they call the Pope the Bishop of Rome?
In any case the Western Church thinks the Eastern Church has apostolic succession, or they wouldn’t call them the “Church.” They have a line of bishops and true Sacraments.
Freegards
“Because these Churches, although separated, have true sacraments and above all – because of the apostolic succession – the priesthood and the Eucharist, by means of which they remain linked to us by very close bonds”[13], they merit the title of “particular or local Churches”[14], and are called sister Churches of the particular Catholic Churches.[15]”
>>The Orthodox largely adhere to St. Cyprian of Carthage’s view that those who leave the Orthodox Catholic Church of Christ are devoid of God’s grace and that their prayers are worthless for their salvation.
Roman Catholics, however, follow St. Augustine’s teaching that God confers grace in the sacraments, so not even schism invalidates a properly conferred sacrament.