Irenaeus was born in 125 AD virtually a hundred years after the events of Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension.
So, if he contradicted the scriptures that were written before his birth, he was a false prophet. That is how it works in pure Christianity.
The Catholic Church of which Irenaeus was a founder followed his lead of departing from scripture and denying Holy Spirit teaching continued its heretical path away from Spirit and Truth which Christ said is the only way in which a person can truly worship God.
➛ Jesus is the Truth,
➛ His Word is the Truth and
➛ His Holy Spirit is the Spirit Of Truth.
The Holy Spirit is the revealer of the Truth which was written and Who lived, died, rose again and ascended to heaven.
By denying Holy Spirit revelation knowledge the Catholics were left to their flawed, limited, rational minds - which is enmity with God.
Accordingly the error got deeper and broader.
Christianty was never intended to be organized by man.
➛ Christ is the head of the church and
➛ His Word is the authority of the church and
➛ His Holy Spirit is
→ the unifier,
→ the teacher and
→ the power of the church.