All of you, follow the bishop as Jesus Christ follows the Father, and the presbytery as the apostles. Respect the deacons as the commandment of God. Let no one do anything pertaining to the Church apart from the bishop. Let that Eucharist be considered valid which is under the bishop or the one to whom he gives permission.
Wherever the bishop appears, there let the multitude be, just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic Church. It is not permitted apart from the bishop either to baptize or to hold a love feast; but whatever he approves, this is also pleasing to God, so that everything you do may be secure and valid.