The Holy Catholic Church

Chapter 8

The ChurchThe Church was a gift from Christ to

ensure that we would never be separated from the way of truth in our lives.

The Church is a WHO, not a WHAT…The assembly of people who have been

called and gathered by God to be His holy people, who, fed by the Body of Christ, become the Body of Christ to the world

The human family of GodWE ARE THE CHURCH

The word CHURCHTakes on different meanings in

different contextsSometimes we use it to speak of all

Catholics“catholic” means universal, so the

universal church refers to all the Baptized who profess fidelity to Christ and the Catholic Church.

The local church refers to the faithful of a particular diocese

The church may also refer to a particular parish: IC church, St. Michael’s church, etc.

The Faith of the ChurchThe Eight essential articles of Catholic Faith

There is one supreme, eternal, infinite GodThe good will be rewarded (those who die in a

state of grace go to Heaven)The Trinity: Three Persons in One GodJesus Christ became man (and died for our

Redemption)The doctrinal statements (found in the

Apostle’s Creed)The Commandments (of God and the Church)Sacred Tradition AND Sacred ScriptureAll that the Church teaches (faith and morals)

The Work of the TrinityThe Church was planned by the Father

God planned to gather mankind to himself from the beginning

The Church was founded by ChristJesus fulfilled the Father’s plan in His ministryJesus founded a community and gave them

the authority to teach and heal in his name

The Church is revealed by the Holy SpiritPentecost as the beginning of the Church’s

ministry in the world.

The Church Fathers-aka- the Fathers of the Church, were

important Christian writers who clarified Church teaching in the first 8 centuries.

They have doctrinal authority, and their unanimous agreement on an issue represents the Church’s interpretation of Revelation

Sts. Athanasius, Augustine, Jerome, Pope Clement I, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Gregory of Nazianzen, John Chrysostom, Pope Gregory the Great, Maximus the Confessor, and John of Damscus.

Doctors of the ChurchA collection of thirty-three men and

women whose teachings have been especially important in understanding Christian Doctrine

Men include Sts. Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, Leo the Great, Ambrose, Gregory the Great, John of the Cross.

Three women: Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, Therese of Lisieux

The Magisterium The Church’s teaching authority

Parallels the hierarchy of the Church as established by ChristPeter and ApostlesPope and Bishops

The Church nurtures the faithful as “Mother and Teacher”

The Magisterium isguided by the Holy Spirit and teaches infallibly in matters of faith and morals

The Magisterium The Church has taught the same truths

without change since its founding by Christ.

Comprised of the bishops of the Church united with the Pope.

Apostolic succession: refers to the fact that the Pope and bishops today are in a direct line of succession from the Apostles themselves

The PopeSuccessor of St. Peter (the rock on

which Christ built His Church)

This office would later become known as the papacy

Primacy of Peter refers to the authority of the Pope as successor of St. Peter

The PopeThe Vicar of Christ: a title of the Pope

which refers to the Latin vicarious - “in the person of”; the Pope acts “in the person of Christ”

Pope’s authority over the Church is full, supreme, and universal

Pope clarifies matters of faith and morals

Pope helps to preserve the unity of the Church

Infallibility Means “free from error”

The Magisterium is considered infallible in matters of faith and morals

Papal Infallibility is made possible through the Holy Spirit to keep Church members free from error.

Church teaching develops as modern challenges require new application, but is never reversed or nullified.

InfallibilityThe Pope is considered “infallible”

when he speaks “ex cathedra” (from the chair of St. Peter)–Dogma from First Vatican Council,1870

When the Magisterium, the bishops of the world, united with the Pope, agree on particular matters of faith and morals, the resulting teaching is infallible.

Electing the PopeA papal election is called a “conclave”

Held 15-20 days after the death of a Pope

Cardinals of the World unite in Rome to begin deliberations in the Sistine Chapel

They take an oath to uphold the procedures, to maintain secrecy, to disregard outside influences, and to defend the liberty of the Holy See.

Electing the PopeTwo ballots may be cast each day

2/3 of electors must agree

After each vote, ballots are burnedIf no pope has been elected, smoke will

be blackWhen a new pope is elected, smoke will

be white

The candidate must accept his office as Pope before the announcement is made

Electing the PopeThe first duty of the Pope is to select a new

name

He is given papal vestments, is given the Fisherman’s Ring, and addresses the crowd in St. Peter’s square

A cardinal will announce: “I announce to you great joy: We have a Pope!” (Habemus Papam)

The new Pope gives his first Papal Blessing (Urbi et Orbi: to Rome and the World)

The bishops, shepherds of the local ChurchThe source of unity among local

churches.

Their duties include: teaching the faith, celebrating the Eucharist, and guiding the Church as pastors. They are assigned to a particular diocese and direct administration there.

Who is our local bishop?

The bishopsPeriodically, the Pope will convene an

assembly of all the bishops of the Church… these are called Ecumenical Councils.

There have been 21 in Church history

Vatican II was the most recent (1962-65)

Church as MysteryThe mystery of communion between

God and his people

Despite being made up of sinful people, the Church is holy through the Blessed Trinity

The structure of the Church is founded in a community of love and founded on the New Commandment of Love

Church as MysteryThe Sacrament of Salvation

Calls mankind to conversion and repentance

The Holy Spirit dispenses grace and sanctifies the People of God through the Church and her sacraments

CommunionA sign of communion with God AND

unity among believers The means by which this communion is

maintained

Church as MysteryThe People of God

The “New Israel”God’s chosen people, bought with

Christ’s blood

The Mystical Body of ChristChrist promised to remain with his

ChurchChrist is head, each member unites to

Him, and plays a unique role in the plan of salvation

Church as MysteryThe Bride of Christ

Christ is the lover, the Church is the belovedAll of us are bound in a communion of loveThus the Church receives feminine pronouns

The Family of GodJesus used filial imagery throughout scripture

Priests, Prophets, and KingsBy Baptism, we share in Jesus role as priest

(sacrificing in our personal lives), prophet (witness to others), and king(service to those in need)

Church as MysteryThe Kingdom of God

KoG was established in this world (by Jesus)The presence and action of God within the

Church

Pilgrim ChurchWe are on a journey toward Heaven; the

Church is on a journey through time

Our MotherGives birth to new sons and daughters of

God

Church as MysterySheepfold or Flock

Jesus as Good Shepherd; lays down His life for sheep

Provides for his flock through ministry of the Church

Fertile Land, Branches of the VineLand cultivated by GodJesus is the vine, we are called to bear good fruit

Temple or BuildingHouse built on solid groundJesus as cornerstone/foundation, we are the living

stones

Can non-Catholics be saved?“All salvation comes from Christ the head

through the Church which is his body”

Those who are saved are necessarily members of the Church

Non-Catholic Christians as separated brethren are accepted by their Baptism.

Those who will never know Christ, through no fault of their own, are entrusted to God’s mercy

The Church is obliged to evangelize, bringing people into the Body of Christ.

The 5 PreceptsAttend Mass (Sundays and HDO’s)

Confess grave sins (at least 1/year)

Receive Communion during Easter (Ash Wednesday to Trinity Sunday)

Fast and abstain (on appointed days)

Contribute to the Support of the Church ($, time, talents, works of charity)

The 4 MarksUnity, Holiness, Catholicity, and Apostolicity

OneOneness of Church’s teaching/ministryOne Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One Body,

life through One Holy Spirit, strives to overcome divisions

HolyHoliness flows from Christ’s death on the

crossChrist instituted the sacraments to maintain

and pass on his holiness

The 4 MarksCatholic

Universality of the ChurchAll people, without exception, are called by God

and his Church. The Church Christ founded lives on in the

Catholic Church with the fullness of faith

ApostolicBuilt on the foundation of the ApostlesOffices of the Apostles maintained in Pope and

bishopsIdentified by their submission to the authority

of St. Peter’s successor, the Pope.