P1. The Creed: L11 - The Catholic Church

Question 1

What is the Church?

Answer 1

The Church is the congregation of all baptized persons united in the same true faith, the same sacrifice, and the same sacraments, under the authority of the Sovereign Pontiff and the bishops in communion with him.

Question 2

Who founded the Church?

Answer 2

Jesus Christ founded the Church.

Question 3

Why did Jesus Christ found the Church?

Answer 3

Jesus Christ founded the Church to bring all men to eternal salvation.

Question 4

How is the Church enables do lead men to salvation?

Answer 4

The Church is enabled to lead men to salvation by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Who gives It life.

Question 5

When was the dwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Church first visibly manifested?

Answer 5

The dwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Church was first visibly manifested on Pentecost Sunday, when He came down upon the apostles in the form of tongues of fire.

Question 6

How long will the Holy Spirit dwell in the Church?

Answer 6

The Holy Spirit will dwell in the Church until the end of time.

Question 7

Who sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in the Church?

Answer 7

God the Father and God the Son sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in the Church.

Question 8

What does the indwelling of the Holy Spirit enable the Church to do?

Answer 8

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables the Church to teach, to sanctify, and to rule the faithful in the name of Christ.

Question 9

What is meant by teaching, sanctifying, and ruling in the name of Christ?

Answer 9

By teaching, sanctifying, and ruling in the name of Christ is meant that the Church always does the will of its Divine Founder, who remains forever its invisible Head.

Question 10

To whom did Christ give the power to teach, to sanctify, and to rule the members of His Church?

Answer 10

Christ gave the power to teach, to sanctify. and to rule the members of His Church to the apostles, the first bishops of the Church.

Question 11

Did Christ intend that this power should be exercised by the apostles alone?

Answer 11

No, Christ intended that this power should be exercised also by their successors, the bishops of the Church.

Question 12

Did Christ give special power in His Church to any one of the apostles?

Answer 12

Christ gave special power in His Church to Saint Peter by making him the head of the apostles and the chief teacher and ruler of the entire Church.

Question 13

Did Christ intend that the special power of chief teacher and ruler of the entire Church should be exercised by Saint Peter alone?

Answer 13

Christ did not intend that the special power of chief teacher and ruler of the entire Church should be exercised by Saint Peter alone, but intended that this power should be passed down to his successor, the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, who is the Vicar of Christ on earth and the visible head of the Church.

Question 14

Who assist the bishops in the care of souls?

Answer 14

The priests, especially parish priests, assist the bishops in the care of souls.

Question 15

Who are the laity of the Church?

Answer 15

The laity of the Church are all its members who do not belong to the clerical or to the religious state.

Question 16

How can the laity help the Church in her care of souls?

Answer 16

The laity can help the Church in her care of souls by leading lives that will reflect credit on the Church, and by co-operating with their bishops and priests especially through Catholic Action.

Question 17

What is Catholic Action?

Answer 17

Catholic Action is the active participation of the laity in the apostolate of the Church under the guidance of the hierarchy.

Question 18

In what ways can the laity participate actively in the apostolate of the Church?

Answer 18

The laity can participate actively in the apostolate of the Church when they arouse the interest of non-Catholics in the Catholic faith; promote high standards in the press, motion pictures, radio, and television; participate in the work of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; take part in the activities of Catholic societies and organizations; represent, under proper direction, the Church’s position in speaking and writing; and go as lay missionaries to foreign lands.