P1. The Creed: L12 - The Marks and Attributes of the Church

Question 1

Which is the one true Church established by Christ?

Answer 1

The one true Church established by Christ is the Catholic Church.

Question 2

How do we know that the Catholic Church is the one true Church established by Christ?

Answer 2

We know that the Catholic Church is the one true Church established by Christ because it alone has the marks of the true Church.

Question 3

What do we mean by the marks of the Church?

Answer 3

By the marks of the Church we mean certain clear signs by which all men can recognize it as the true Church founded by Jesus Christ.

Question 4

What are the chief marks of the Church?

Answer 4

The chief marks of the Church are four: It is one, holy, catholic or universal, and apostolic.

Question 5

Why is the Catholic Church one?

Answer 5

The Catholic Church is one because all its members, according to the will of Christ, profess the same faith, have the same sacrifice and sacraments, and are united under one and the same visible head, the Pope.

Question 6

Why is the Catholic Church holy?

Answer 6

The Catholic Church is holy because it was founded by Jesus Christ, who is all-holy, and because it teaches according to the will of Christ, holy doctrines, and provides the means of leading a holy life, thereby giving holy members to every age.

Question 7

Why is the Catholic Church catholic or universal?

Answer 7

The Catholic Church is catholic or universal because, destined to last for all time, it never fails to fulfill the divine commandment to teach all nations all the truths revealed by God.

Question 8

Why is the Catholic Church apostolic?

Answer 8

The Catholic Church is apostolic because it was founded by Christ on the apostles and, according to His divine will, has always been governed by their lawful successors.

Question 9

How do we know that no other church but the Catholic Church is the true Church of Christ?

Answer 9

We know that no other church but the Catholic Church is the true Church of Christ because no other church has these four marks.

Question 10

What are the chief attributes of the Catholic Church?

Answer 10

The chief attributes of the Catholic Church are authority, infallibility, and indefectibility. They are called attributes because they are qualities of perfecting the nature of the Church.

Question 11

What is meant by the authority of the Catholic Church?

Answer 11

By the authority of the Catholic Church is meant that the Pope and the bishops, as the lawful successors of the apostles, have power from Christ Himself to teach, to sanctify, and to govern the faithful in spiritual matters.

Question 12

What is meant by the infallibility of the Catholic Church?

Answer 12

By the infallibility of the Catholic Church is meant that the Church, by the special assistance of the Holy Spirit, cannot err when it teaches or believes a doctrine of faith or morals.

Question 13

When does the Chruch teach infallibly?

Answer 13

The Church teaches infallibly when it defines, through the Pope alone, as the teacher of all Christians, or through the Pope and the bishops, a doctrine of faith or morals to be held by all the faithful.

Question 14

What is meant by the indefectibility of the Catholic Church?

Answer 14

By the indefectibility of the Catholic Church is meant that the Church, as Christ founded it, will last until the end of time.

Question 15

Are all obliged to belong to the Catholic Church in order to be saved?

Answer 15

All are obliged to belong to the Catholic Church in order to be saved.

Question 16

What do we mean when we say, “Outside the Church there is no salvation?”

Answer 16

When we say, “Outside the Church there is no salvation,” we mean that Christ made the Catholic Church a necessary means of salvation and commanded all to enter it, so that a person must be connected with the Church in some way to be saved.

Question 17

How can persons who are not members of the Catholic Church be saved?

Answer 17

Persons who are not members of the Catholic Church can be saved if, through no fault of their own they do not know that the Catholic Church is the true Church, but they love God and try to do His will, for in this way they are connected with the Church by desire.

Question 18

Why is the Catholic Church called the Mystical Body of Christ?

Answer 18

The Catholic Church is called the Mystical Body of Christ because its members are united by supernatural bonds with one another and with Christ, their Head, thus resembling the members and head of the living human body.

Question 19

What conditions are necessary in order that a person be a member of the Mystical Body in the full sense?

Answer 19

In order that a person be a member of the Mystical Body in the full sense, it is necessary that he be baptized, that he profess the Catholic faith, and that he neither separate himself from the Mystical Body nor be excluded by lawful authority.

Question 20

How does a baptized person separate himself from the full incorporation in the Mystical Body?

Answer 20

A baptized person separates himself from full incorporation in the Mystical Body by open and deliberate heresy, apostasy, or schism.

Question 21

How does a baptized person separate himself from full incorporation in the Mystical Body by heresy?

Answer 21

A baptized person separates himself from full incorporation in the Mystical Body by heresy when he openly rejects or doubts some doctrine propesed by the Catholic Church as a truth of divine-Catholic faith, though still professing himself a Christian.

Question 22

When does a baptized person separate himself from full incorporation in the Mystical Body by apostasy?

Answer 22

A baptized person separates himself from full incorporation in the Mystical Body by apostasy when he openly rejects the entire Christian faith.

Question 23

When does a baptized person separate himself from full incorporation in the Mystical Body by schism?

Answer 23

A baptized person separates himself from the full incorporation in the Mystical Body by schism when he openly refuses obedience to the lawful authorities of the Church, particularly to the Pope.

Question 24

When is a baptized person separated from full incorporation in the Mystical Body by lawful authority?

Answer 24

A baptized person is separated from full incorporation in the Mystical Body by lawful authority when he incurs on of the more severe forms of excommunication.