The Convert's Catechism of Catholic Doctrine

The Church A Divine Society, Her Attributes, Her Marks, The True Church Today

What is the Church?: The Church is a divine society composed of all who profess to pay God the debt of Religion as prescribed by divine Authority.
Of whom is the Church composed?: The Church is composed of all who profess the faith of Christ, partake of the same Sacraments, and are governed by their lawful pastors under one visible head.
Has the Church a divine and a human element?: A. The Church has a divine and a human element.
Why is the Church divine?: A. The Church is divine:

1) Because she is the mystical body of Christ;

2) Because she has Christ for her Founder and spiritual Head;

3) Because she has the Holy Ghost for her Soul or Principle of undying life;

4) Because she is instituted to lead mankind to God.

He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. - Colossians 1:18

...no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 3:11

...living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ,... - Ephesians 4:15
Why is the Church visible and human?: The Church is visible and human because she is composed of visible human beings.
Which are the inherent Attributes of a divine Church?: The inherent Attributes of a divine Church are four:

1) Authority,

2) Infallibility,

3) Indefectibility and

4) Necessity
What do these Attributes mean?: These Attributes mean that the true Church must

1) be authorized to act in the name of God;

2) Be preserved by Him from error;

3) Last to the end of time;

4) Be the gate to heaven for all of good will.
When did Jesus Christ give His divine Authority to His Church?: Jesus Christ gave His divine Authority to His Church when He said: "As the Father hath sent Me, so I send you." - John 20:21
Why must a divine Church be infallible in teaching Faith and Morals?: A divine Church must be infallible in teaching Faith and Morals, because she is intended by God to lead all of good will to heaven with divine certainty.
How is the Church of Christ made infallible?: The Church which Jesus Christ established is made infallible by the power of the Holy Ghost.

The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name - he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you. - John 14:26

"....teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." - Matthew 28:20
Why is the Church of Christ indefectible?: The Church of Christ is indefectible:

1) Because He sent the Holy Ghost to abide with her to the end of time;

2) Because He promised to remain with her to the consummation of the world.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always.... - John 14:16
Why is the Church of Christ necessary to mankind?: The Church of Christ is necessary to mankind, because:

l) No one can go to the Father except through Christ;

2) This is the only church instituted by Christ for the salvation of mankind.
Are all, therefore, bound to belong to the Church which Christ established?: All are bound to belong to the Church, which Christ established, to share in His merits and thus attain life everlasting.

There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved. - Acts 4:12
Can those who know the Church of Christ be saved outside of her fold?: Those who know the Church of Christ cannot be saved outside of her fold.

If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. - Matthew 18:17
How can those be saved who do not know the Church of Christ?: Those who do not know the Church of Christ can be saved by belonging to her in spirit.
How can a sincere non-Catholic belong to the Church in spirit?: A sincere non-Catholic can belong to the Church in spirit by having an efficacious desire of doing all that God has ordained for his salvation; that is, by Faith, Prayer, Perfect Sorrow for his sins, and a Sincere Effort to do the will of God as he understands it.
Are there any Marks by which the Church of Christ can he recognized?: There are four Marks by which the Church of Christ may be recognized. It must be One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic.
How must the Church of Christ be One?: The Church of Christ must be One in Faith, One in worship, One in obedience, and One in the means of grace throughout the world.
How is the Church of Christ Holy?: The Church of Christ is Holy, because:

1) Her Founder, Jesus Christ, is holy;

2) She teaches a holy doctrine;

3) She invites all to live a holy life;

4) She has aided countless souls to attain great holiness.
How is the Church of Christ Catholic or Universal?: The Church of Christ is Catholic or Universal, because:

1) She teaches all the doctrine of Jesus Christ;

2) She teaches all nations;

3) She subsists in all ages;

4) She was established by Jesus Christ to bring salvation to all of good will.
Why is the Church of Christ Apostolic?: The Church of Christ is Apostolic, because:

1) She was founded by Jesus Christ on His Apostles;

2) She is governed by their Lawful Successors;

3) She can never cease to teach their doctrine.
What Church of the present day can prove her claim to be the divine Church founded by Jesus Christ?: The only Church of the present day which can prove her claim to be the divine Church established by Jesus Christ is the Catholic Church.
Which is the Catholic Church?: The Catholic Church is the Church governed by the Pope, the Bishop of Rome.
Why is the Catholic Church called Roman?: The Catholic Church is called Roman because the Pope, her Head, resides in Rome.
Why is the Catholic Church the true Church of Jesus Christ?: A. The Catholic Church is the true Church of Jesus Christ because:

1) She alone has Apostolic Succession;

2) She alone possesses the Attributes and Marks of the true Church;

3) She alone exercises that Authority, which is necessary for the Church of God.
How did the other churches, sects and denominations originate?: All the other churches, sects and denominations are of Purely Human origin.