Faith and Reason

“…We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic

Church…”

1. Definition: EkklesiaTo call out of the world A convocation or assembly

What is the Church?

2. Founded by ChristChrist’s central message was to proclaim

the Kingdom of GodChrist endows the Church with his

Authority

What is the Church?

Ecclesial Community

Founder Date Place

Orthodox Churches Michael Caerularius 1054 Constantinople

Lutheranism Martin Luther 1520 Germany

Anglicanism King Henry VIII 1534 England

Mennonites Menno Simons 1550 Switzerland

Presbyterianism John Calvin and Knox 1560 Switzerland and Scotland

Baptists John Smyth 1606 Amsterdam

Society of Friends George Fox 1624 England

Methodism John Wesley 1744 England

Mormonism Joseph Smith 1830 Fayette, NJ

Adventist William Miller 1840 Boston, Mass

Christian Scientists Mary Baker Eddy 1879 Boston, Mass

DenominationsChurch Maps

3. Mystical Body of ChristChrist and the Church are one 1 Corinthians 12: Parts of one bodyChurch TriumphantChurch MilitantChurch Suffering

What is the Church?

4. Church has the fullness of Truth Only one religion has the fullness of

truthAll religions have some truth

What is the Church?

5. Church is necessary for Salvation No Salvation apart from Jesus, or outside

Christ’s Body, the Church There is only one Savior, Jesus

What is the Church?

6. Qualities of the ChurchMother-she guides her childrenVisible-it must be seen (witness)Spiritual-there is an unseen aspectAuthority-which has been endowed by

ChristIndefectibility-last until the end of time

One, Holy, Catholic, ApostolicThey are how we identify Christ’s

ChurchEssential Qualities of the Catholic

Church

Marks of the Church

Unity is the essence of the Church

1.Profession of faith: Creed

2.Worship and sacraments

3.Authority through Apostolic succession

4.United under one founder

The True Church is One

Members are set apart for God and the perfection of charity

1.The Church is sanctified by Christ, her founder

2.The Church’s purpose is to sanctify her members by means of the sacraments

3.The Church is holy in:FounderDoctrineMembers

The True Church is Holy

1. Catholic = Universal

2. The Church is for all people (for all times and in all places)

3. Sufficient: everything needed for salvation

The True Church is Catholic

1. Christ founded the Church by forming the Apostles and passing down his authority through them

One apostle, Peter, was given special authority. (Matthew 16:13-20)“You are Peter and on this rock I will build

my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mt 16:18)

He serves as spokesperson for the Apostles

He was given the Power of the KeysHe was given the power to bind and loose

The True Church is Apostolic

2. Church stands on the foundation of the apostles

Apostolic succession: All bishops can trace their ordination back to an apostle

What happens if we’re not Apostolic?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NMWs

5Ngz9o

The True Church is Apostolic

Pope Francis

1. Infallibility: Cannot err in matters of faith and morals (Luke 22:31-34)

a) PapalHe must speak on a matter of faith and moralsHe must speak in his official capacity as Peter’s

successor He must clearly indicate that he is making a

solemn, definitive and final pronouncement on the doctrine at issue

He must declare his intention to bind all members of the Catholic Church to accept the new teaching

Magisterium, the Teaching Church

b) Collegial: bishops teaching in union with the Pope

c) Conciliar: official Church councils called with approval of the Pope

d) Sensus Fidei: The members of the Church cannot be deceived as a whole

Magisterium, the Teaching Church

2. Some things to remember about Petrine Infallibility

The Pope is not impeccable, that is, without sin

The Pope can be wrong on issues besides faith and morals

The Pope has a specific charism as the Holy Father

Charisms: Graces given for others

Magisterium, the Teaching Church

3. Church continues the mission of the apostles – to teach, serve, and sanctify

Evangelization: bringing the Gospel to others

Inculturation: part of evangelization that examines the whole culture, identifies and raises up what is compatible with the Gospel, removing only that which is incompatible with the Catholic faith.

New Evangelization: efforts to help make inactive Catholics more active in their faith. (Round 2)

Magisterium, the Teaching Church

The Catholic Church either: was and still is the true Church

ORnever was the true Church. Then where was

the true Church for 1600 years?

ORonce was the true Church and went into error.

Then Christ lied when he promised that: “The jaws of death shall not prevail against it” (Mt

16:18)

Why am I Catholic?

Is the Catholic Church the True Church?