“Since he would not always be with the Church visibly, Christ gave this power to other men so the Church, which is the continuation of his presence throughout time (Matt. 28:20), would be able to offer forgiveness to future generations. He gave his power to the apostles, and it was a power that could be passed on to their successors and agents, since the apostles wouldn’t always be on earth either, but people would still be sinning.”
The letter to the Hebrews makes it CLEAR that any earthly priesthood is FINIS. Not needed since the Priest Forever entered into heaven itself and now sits FOREVER interceding. Rome had no business rebuilding what God tore down and replaced (the Levitical priesthood, not the pretend one Rome fashioned).
It's the letter to the *Hebrews*, remember. It's talking about the Jewish Levitical priesthood.