What does the doctrine of ‘apostolic succession’ mean to you?

The doctrine of the Apostolic Succession teaches that the Pope is the successor of St Peter (Pope Benedict is the 265th Pope) and that the bishops in communion with the Pope are successors of the Apostles. Christ reminded His followers of His abiding presence in the Church (cfr Mt 28,20): this presence is evident most visibily in the Pope and bishops of the Church. Through the laying-on of hands, the Holy Spirit is conferred in a particular way on a new bishop. This process takes place at every episcopal ordination; the “apostolic succession” is thus assured and Christians are guaranteed that the presence of Christ is among them. We must indeed remember that, “The bishops have by divine institution taken the place of the apostles as pastors of the Church, in such wise that whoever listens to them is listening to Christ and whoever despises them despises Christ and him who sent Christ” (Lumen Gentium, 20,2).