"Paul was a unique case in every sense of the word..."

A snippet from Alberto Ferreiro's article St. Paul and Apostolic Succession. Published in Inside The Vatican magazine, October 2011.

"Paul was a unique case in every sense of the word: he did not need, nor did he seek out, the laying on of hands or anointing of oil to make his calling valid.

"God used him to reveal that the Gentiles too were included in the salvific work of Christ.

"Paul sought out Peter and the apostles to gain their acceptance in order to assure the Galatians and Corinthians of his calling.

"This resulted in his receiving the right hand of fellowship.

"Paul then had the weight of the authority of the Apostles to preach, found churches, and appoint other overseers, and this became an ecclesial paradigm in the ensuing centuries to our day ..."