My main concern is universal jurisidiction. I regularly check the Catechism online when I have a question.
Jon
Hey Jon. Of course there are hundreds of autonomous churches in the world today, making universal jurisdiction, in terms of one Church, impossible. Universal jurisdiction, logically, should only apply to those belonging to the one Catholic Church. Moreover, it shouldn’t encompass the Eastern Orthodox churches either. Ultimately, universal jurisdiction should only apply to the those belonging to the Catholic (universal) Church.
Therefore, I completely agree with you!
When Irenaeus says “every church” clearly he is talking about only the particular Catholic Churches in communion with the church of Rome. What I mean is: if Protestant Churches, as we know them today, had existed then, universal jurisdiction would not have encompassed them, just as it does not today, for the simple fact that they would not be considered part of the Catholic Church.
According to Irenaeus (140-202 AD) and others, the Church of Rome was the source of authority:
"We point to the tradition of that very great and very ancient and
universally known Church, which was established at
Rome…for with this Church, because of its
superior authority,
every church must agree." (Against Heresies 3, 3:2).