The Church as the Body of Christ

Question 1

what are Orthodox Churches?

Answer 1

Churches which are in the Union with the Patriarch of Constantinople

Question 2

what is the Patriarch?

Answer 2

the highest ranking bishop in Orthodox Christianity

Question 3

what does the Church as the Body of Christ mean?

Answer 3

• all Christians carry on Christ’s work on Earth
• Christians are united with each other and Christ through baptism, making them members of His body
• all Catholics receive the Body of Christ in the Mass, which joins them with all Christians

Question 4

why is the Church as the Body of Christ important?

Answer 4

• this is how the Church is described in the New Testament and the Catechism
• it means that the Church is carrying on the work of Christ in the world
• it shows how Christians can perform different tasks and still be a unity

Question 5

what are Catholic Christians understanding of these ideas?

Answer 5

accept the authority of the Pope and believe its the Pope’s role to pass on the teachings of Christ by guiding the Church

Question 6

what are Orthodox Christians understanding of these ideas?

Answer 6

reject the authority of the Pope and believe authority comes from councils of bishops or patriarchs acting together

Question 7

what are Protestant Christians understanding of these ideas?

Answer 7

the Bible is the sole authority, the Pope has no authority to decide on beliefs and Churches should be ruled democratically

Question 8

what is the Ecumenical Movement?

Answer 8

movement working for co-operation between Churches and eventual Church unity

Question 9

what does the Ecumenical Movement believe?

Answer 9

• the teachings of St Paul mean Christians should unite as the Body of Christ
• Protestants and Orthodox have come together in the World Council of Churches

Question 10

what is a Source of wisdom for the Church as the Body of Christ?

Answer 10

The Catechism says that the Church is the Body of Christ and in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist