Belief in the Holy Catholic Church

The numbers in parenthese that follow the questions refer to related paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Belief in the Holy Catholic Church

1. What do we call the Church founded by Jesus?
2. What is the Catholic Church?
3. Why did Jesus start his Church?
4. What special role does the Holy Spirit have in the life of the Church?
5. What is the Catholic faith?
6. Are all faiths equally true?
7. Is the Church both visible and spiritual?
8. Who are the People of God?
9. Why is the Church called Christ's Mystical Body?
10. What are the four characteristics by which we identify the true Church in our world today?
11. How is the Catholic Church one?
12. How is the Catholic Church holy?
13. How is the Catholic Church catholic or universal?
14. How is the Catholic Church apostolic?
15. Is the Catholic Church necessary for salvation?

1. What do we call the Church founded by Jesus?
We call the Church founded by Jesus the Catholic Church.

2. What is the Catholic Church?
The Catholic Church is the true Church founded by Jesus Christ, whose members are joined by bonds of spiritual communion: loyalty to the Pope and bishops joined with him, oneness in the truths to be believed and the moral code to be followed, oneness in worship. The Church is a mystery, the sacrament of salvation and the People of God journeying together toward eternal life. (771-776)

3. Why did Jesus start his Church?
Jesus started his Church to continue his mission of bringing all people to eternal salvation. (763)

St. Peter told the first Christians: You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people set apart by God to proclaim his saving deeds, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Pt 2:9).

4. What special role does the Holy Spirit have in the life of the Church?
The Holy Spirit's special role in the Church is to keep the members faithful to Jesus' teachings until the end of time. The Holy Spirit also helps the Church to constantly become holier. As the soul of the Church, the Holy Spirit inspires fearless preaching of the Gospel. (737, 767-768, 788, 797)

...The household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Tm 3:15).

5. What is the Catholic faith?
The Catholic faith comprises the teachings of the Catholic Church, that which we believe-that which is universally believed.

6. Are all faiths equally true?
While all faiths reflect the truth and goodness of God, only one can be the true faith. The fullness of Jesus' revelation-the truths to be believed, the way of life, the gifts of grace-subsists (is totally present) in the Catholic Church. (816, 830)

He has put all things under his feet and has given him as head over all things to the Church, which is his body, the fullness of the One who fills all things in their totality (Eph 1:22-23).

7. Is the Church both visible and spiritual?
The Church is both human and divine, a visible society which can be known through its structures, and a divine reality sustained by God. (771)

8. Who are the People of God?
Vatican II favored the biblical term "People of God" to designate the followers of Jesus Christ. These are all the baptized members of the Church. Catholics are fully incorporated into Christ's Church through grace, the sacraments, profession of the faith, and union with the Church's bishops united to the Pope. However, Catholics who live in a state of serious sin have only an imperfect communion with the Church. Other baptized Christians, although not fully united to the Catholic Church, have a certain communion with it through the grace of Baptism. (781-786, 836-838)

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people set apart by God to proclaim his saving deeds (1 Pt 2:9).

9. Why is the Church called Christ's Mystical Body?
The term "Mystical Body" refers to the real union of the Church's members (living and deceased) with Jesus, who is the Head, and with one another through the grace-giving activity of the Holy Spirit. (787-795)

For just as we have many members in one body...in the same way we, many as we are, are one body in Christ, and each one of us is a part of the other (Rom 12:4-5). (See also 1 Cor 12:27; Jn 15:4-5)

10. What are the four characteristics by which we identify the true Church in our world today?
The true Church founded by Christ is one, holy, catholic (or universal) and apostolic. Only the Roman Catholic Church has these four characteristics or marks. (811-812)

11. How is the Catholic Church one?
Rooted in the mystery of the Trinity, the Church's unity consists especially in the bond of charity. It becomes visible in profession of the same faith, common worship, and union with the Church's pastors. (813-822)

There is one Body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all, through all, and in all (Eph 4:4-5).

12. How is the Catholic Church holy?
Christ gave his life to make the Church holy and sent the Spirit to breathe holiness into it. Since all the Church's members are called to holiness, Christ gave the Church the means to help them toward this goal, especially the sacraments. (823-829)

In him the whole building is joined together and grows into a holy Temple in the Lord, and in him you are being built together into God's dwelling place in the Spirit (Eph 2:21-22).

13. How is the Catholic Church catholic or universal?
The Catholic Church is catholic or universal in two senses: first, because it contains the fullness of Christ in the means for salvation: doctrine, sacraments and apostolic ministry; and second, because it is meant for all people of all places. (830-835)

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you and, behold, I will be with you all the days until the end of the age (Mt 28:19-20).

14. How is the Catholic Church apostolic?
The Church is apostolic because it is founded on the apostles, whose teaching the Church faithfully hands on. In this it is guided by its pastors, the bishops, w ho have succeeded to the pastoral office of the apostles. (857-865)

You were built upon a foundation of apostles and prophets, and Christ Jesus was its cornerstone (Eph 2:20).

15. Is the Catholic Church necessary for salvation?
The Catholic Church is necessary for salvation because Christ wills to give us the grace of salvation through his Church. In some way this grace reaches even those who are not members of the Church. If through no fault of their own they do not know our Savior Jesus Christ and his Church, they can be saved if they seek God sincerely and try to live good lives. (846-848)

In Christ we have free and confident access to God through our faith in him (Eph 3:6).