Basic Catholic Q and A's

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

1. What is the pope's role in the church?
2. What is the primacy of the pope?
3. What does the title "Prince of the Apostles" mean?
4. Why is it important to follow the Pope?
5. What is the Catholic Church's gift of infallibility? 
6. What does the term "ex cathedra" mean?
7. What is a Vatican City?
8. What is an encyclical?
9. What is the college of bishops?
10. Who is a cardinal?
11. What is the role of bishops in the Church?
12. Who are the hierarchy?
13. What is the magisterium?
14. What form does the magisterium take?
15. What is an ecumenical council?
16. Who is an archbishop?
17. What is an archdiocese or diocese?
18. What is a parish?
19. Who is the pastor?
20. Who is the vicar general?
21. What is a chancery office of an archdiocese or diocese?
22. What is canon law?
23. What is an imprimatur?
24. Who are the laity?
25. What is the laity's role in the Church?
26. How do the laity participate in Christ's priestly office?
27. How do the laity participate in Christ's office of teaching?

1. What is the Pope's role in the Church?
The Pope is the Vicar of Christ and the chief teacher and leader of God's people; he holds the place of Jesus in the Church. The Catholic Church will always have a Pope because this is what Jesus wanted. (880, 882)And now I tell you, that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church (Mt 16:18). (See also Jn 21:17)

2. What is the primacy of the pope?
The primacy of the Pope means the "first place" that the Pope holds in the Church in teaching, governing and guiding Catholics in what they believe and in how they live. (881) And he chose twelve of them, whom he also called apostles-Simon, whom he also named Peter... (Lk 6:13-14).

3. What does the title "Prince of the Apostles" mean?
The title "Prince of the Apostles" was given to St. Peter, the first Pope. It means that he is the first among the apostles, the leader of the group. (883)The Lord has really risen and has been seen by Simon (Lk 24:34).

4. Why is it important to follow the Pope?
The Holy Spirit guides the Pope in teaching what to believe and do in order to be saved. In following him, we are assured of being on the right path. (798)

5. What is the Catholic Church's gift of infallibility?
The gift of infallibility is freedom from error when teaching a truth of faith or right living. It comes from the Holy Spirit and is given to the Pope when he teaches officially as head of the Church. It also pertains to the bishops united with him either in general council or when they express the teachings of the Church. (891-892)Blessed are you, Simon bar Jonah, for it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven (Mt 16:17).

6. What does the term "ex cathedra" mean?
The Latin term "ex cathedra" means "from the chair" of St. Peter. It refers to the Pope's infallible statements regarding what Catholics must believe and live. (891, footnote 418)

7. What is Vatican City?
Vatican City is the city (which is also an independent nation) where the Pope lives. It consists of 108.7 acres situated within Rome, Italy. It contains the Pope's residence, St. Peter's Basilica, and the headquarters of various Church officials.

8. What is an encyclical?
An encyclical is a letter written by the Pope, often directed to the bishops, but intended for the whole Church and sometimes for all people.

9. What is the college of bishops?
The college of bishops refers to all the bishops throughout the world united with the Pope. They form one body called the hierarchy or apostolic college, which continues the apostolic college of St. Peter and the other apostles. (880)

When day came he called his disciples to him and he chose twelve of them, whom he also called apostles... (Lk 6:13).

10. Who is a cardinal?
A cardinal is a high ranking Church official appointed by the Pope to the college of cardinals (all the cardinals as a united body). Cardinals act as the Pope's advisors and can vote in a papal election. Today the cardinalate is conferred only on members of the clergy, generally bishops.

11. What is the role of bishops in the Church?
As authentic teachers of the faith handed down from the apostles, the bishops' primary task is to preach the Gospel. They also lead their people to holiness through the ministry of the sacraments. As pastors, bishops exercise the pastoral office of leadership and authority as servants of the flock. These three roles correspond to Christ's mission as prophet, priest and king. (888-896)

12. Who are the hierarchy?
The hierarchy are the Church's authorities-especially the Pope and bishops, but also priests and deacons. Christ has entrusted them with the office of teaching, sanctifying and governing the Church in his name and by his power. (873)

Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (Mt 4:19).

13. What is the magisterium?
The magisterium is the living teaching office of the Church, whose authority is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ. The Pope and the bishops teaching in communion with him authentically interpret the Word of God, whether written or handed down, guarding and explaining it faithfully under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (2032-2034)

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 28:18-20).

14. What form does the magisterium take?
It takes two forms:

• the extraordinary magisterium, which consists of dogmatic definitions. These do not add anything to divine revelation, but give it a new clarity. We adhere to these teachings with the obedience of faith. 
• the ordinary magisterium, which consists of the daily teachings of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him. We respond to these teachings with religious assent.

15. What is an ecumenical council?
An ecumenical or universal council is a meeting of the bishops of the whole world, called together by the Pope to discuss and explain Church teaching and to set forth guidelines for the People of God. An ecumenical council's conclusions must be approved by the Pope. (884)

16. Who is an archbishop?
An archbishop is usually the bishop of a large diocese (archdiocese), who oversees neighboring dioceses.

17. What is an archdiocese or diocese?
An archdiocese or diocese is a territory made up of parishes placed by the Pope under the care of a Church leader called a bishop or archbishop.

18. What is a parish?
A parish is a community of Christians who worship together in the same church and are led by the same priest, usually called a pastor, and his assistants. (2179)

19. Who is the pastor?
The pastor is the priest in charge of a parish, its spiritual leader or shepherd.

20. Who is the vicar general?
The vicar general is an auxiliary bishop or priest appointed to help in the government of a diocese. He shares in the bishop's jurisdiction.

21. What is a chancery office of an archdiocese or diocese?
A chancery office is the headquarters of a diocese or archdiocese, where Church transactions are carried out and recorded.

22. What is canon law?
Canon law is the official compilation of Church law, which is found in the Code of Canon Law. Based on Gratian's Decree of 1140, canon law was promulgated in 1917 by Pope Benedict XV. In 1983 Pope John Paul II promulgated the new Code of Canon Law.

23. What is an imprimatur?
An imprimatur is the bishop's permission to print a book about faith or morals. Canon law specifies the types of books that require an imprimatur.

24. Who are the laity?
The laity are all the faithful except those in Holy Orders or who are members of a religious congregation. The laity share in the priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ. (897-898)

Like living stones let yourselves be built up into a spiritual house (1 Pt 2:5)

25. What is the laity's role in the Church?
The laity exercise an indispensable role in the Church. They bring Christian witness into the social, political and economic realms where they live and work. (898-912)

26. How do the laity participate in Christ's priestly office?
Through their lives, daily work, prayers and all other activities, the laity offer spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. In a special way, parents share in the Church's mission through the Christian upbringing of their children. (901-903)

27. How do the laity participate in Christ's office of teaching?
The laity have a vital part to play in the Church's evangelizing mission. They do this through Christian witness, telling others about Jesus Christ, teaching, and using the communications media, according to their various circumstances. (904-907)

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