Chapter X — On the ninth article

§ 1. On the Church in general

1. What does the ninth article — "the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints" — teach us?

The ninth article of the Creed teaches us that Jesus Christ founded on earth a visible society called the Catholic Church, and that all the persons who form part of this Church are in communion with one another.

2. Why, after the article that treats of the Holy Spirit, is the Catholic Church spoken of at once?

After the article that treats of the Holy Spirit, the Catholic Church is spoken of at once to indicate that all the holiness of the Church derives from the Holy Spirit, who is the author of every holiness.

3. What does this word Church mean?

The word Church means a convocation or gathering of many persons.

4. Who has convoked or called us to the Church of Jesus Christ?

We have been called to the Church of Jesus Christ by a special grace of God, that by the light of faith and the observance of the divine law we may render Him due worship and attain to eternal life.

5. Where are the members of the Church to be found?

The members of the Church are found partly in heaven, and form the Church triumphant; partly in purgatory, and form the Church suffering; partly on earth, and form the Church militant.

6. Do these different parts of the Church constitute one single Church?

Yes, these different parts of the Church constitute one single Church and one single body, because they have the same head, who is Jesus Christ; the same spirit which animates and unites them; and the same end, which is eternal happiness, already enjoyed by some and awaited by others.

7. To which part of the Church does this ninth article principally refer?

This ninth article of the Creed principally refers to the Church militant, which is the Church in which we are at present.

§ 2. On the Church in particular

8. What is the Catholic Church?

The Catholic Church is the society or congregation of all the baptized who, living on earth, profess the same faith and law of Christ, partake of the same sacraments, and obey their lawful Pastors, principally the Roman Pontiff.

9. State distinctly what is necessary to be a member of the Church.

To be a member of the Church it is necessary to be baptized, to believe and profess the doctrine of Jesus Christ, to partake of the same sacraments, and to acknowledge the Pope and the other lawful Pastors of the Church.

10. Who are the lawful Pastors of the Church?

The lawful Pastors of the Church are the Roman Pontiff, that is, the Pope, who is the universal Pastor, and the Bishops. Furthermore, in dependence on the Bishops and the Pope, the other priests, and especially the parish priests, have a share in the office of pastors.

11. Why do you say that the Roman Pontiff is the universal Pastor of the Church?

Because Jesus Christ said to Saint Peter, the first Pope: "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven." And He said to him further: "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep."

12. Do not, then, the many societies of baptized men who do not acknowledge the Roman Pontiff as their head belong to the Church of Jesus Christ?

No, all those who do not acknowledge the Roman Pontiff as their head do not belong to the Church of Jesus Christ.

13. How can the Church of Jesus Christ be distinguished from the many societies or sects founded by men, which call themselves Christian?

The true Church of Jesus Christ can be easily distinguished from the many societies or sects founded by men, which call themselves Christian, by four marks. She is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.

14. Why is the Church called One?

The true Church is called One because her children, of every time and place, are united with one another in the same faith, the same worship, the same law, and the participation of the same sacraments, under one and the same visible head, the Roman Pontiff.

15. Could there not be several Churches?

No, there cannot be several Churches, because, as there is one only God, one only Faith, and one only Baptism, so there is, and can be, but one only true Church.

16. But are not the faithful united together of a nation or of a diocese also called Churches?

The faithful united together of a nation or of a diocese are also called Churches, but they are always portions of the universal Church, and form together with her one single Church.

17. Why is the true Church called Holy?

The true Church is called Holy because her invisible head, who is Jesus Christ, is holy; many of her members are holy; her faith, her law, and her sacraments are holy; and outside of her there is not, nor can there be, true holiness.

18. Why is the Church called Catholic?

The true Church is called Catholic, which means universal, because she embraces the faithful of all times, of all places, of every age and condition, and all the men of the world are called to form part of her.

19. Why is the Church further called Apostolic?

The true Church is further called Apostolic because she goes back without interruption to the Apostles; because she believes and teaches all that the Apostles believed and taught; and because she is guided and governed by their lawful successors.

20. And why is the true Church also called Roman?

The true Church is also called Roman because the four marks of unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity are found only in the Church that acknowledges as her head the Bishop of Rome, the successor of Saint Peter.

21. How is the Church of Jesus Christ constituted?

The Church of Jesus Christ is constituted as a true and perfect society; and in her, as in a moral person, we may distinguish the soul and the body.

22. In what does the soul of the Church consist?

The soul of the Church consists in that which she has of inward and spiritual, namely, faith, hope, charity, the gifts of grace and of the Holy Spirit, and all the heavenly treasures that have come to her through the merits of Christ the Redeemer and of the Saints.

23. In what does the body of the Church consist?

The body of the Church consists in that which she has of visible and external, whether in the association of those who are gathered together, or in worship and the ministry of teaching, or in her external order and government.

24. Is it enough for salvation merely to be a member of the Catholic Church in any way?

No, it is not enough for salvation merely to be a member of the Catholic Church in any way, but one must be a living member of her.

25. Who are the living members of the Church?

The living members of the Church are all and only the just, those, that is, who are actually in the grace of God.

26. And who are the dead members?

The dead members of the Church are the faithful who are in mortal sin.

27. Can anyone be saved outside the Catholic, Apostolic, Roman Church?

No, outside the Catholic, Apostolic, Roman Church no one can be saved, just as no one could be saved from the flood outside the Ark of Noah, which was a figure of this Church.

28. How then were the ancient Patriarchs, the Prophets, and all the other just men of the Old Testament saved?

All the just of the Old Testament were saved by virtue of the faith they had in Christ to come, by means of which they already belonged spiritually to this Church.

29. But could one who, through no fault of his own, finds himself outside the Church, be saved?

One who, finding himself, through no fault of his own — that is, in good faith — outside the Church, had received Baptism, or had at least the implicit desire of it; and who, moreover, sincerely sought the truth and did the will of God as best he could; although separated from the body of the Church, would be united to her soul, and therefore on the way of salvation.

30. And one who, being a member of the Catholic Church, did not put her teachings into practice, would he be saved?

One who, being a member of the Catholic Church, did not put her teachings into practice would be a dead member of her, and therefore would not be saved; because for the salvation of an adult there is required not only baptism and faith, but also works conformed to the faith.

31. Are we obliged to believe all the truths that the Church teaches us?

Yes, we are obliged to believe all the truths that the Church teaches us, and Jesus Christ declares that he who does not believe is already condemned.

32. Are we likewise obliged to do all that the Church commands?

Yes, we are obliged to do all that the Church commands, because Jesus Christ said to the Pastors of the Church: "He who hears you hears Me, and he who despises you despises Me."

33. Can the Church err in the things which she proposes to us to believe?

No, in the things she proposes to us to believe, the Church cannot err, because, according to the promise of Jesus Christ, she is perpetually assisted by the Holy Spirit.

34. Is the Catholic Church, then, infallible?

Yes, the Catholic Church is infallible, and therefore those who refuse her definitions lose the faith and become heretics.

35. Can the Catholic Church be destroyed or perish?

No; the Catholic Church can be persecuted, but cannot be destroyed nor perish. She will last to the end of the world, because to the end of the world Jesus Christ will be with her, as He has promised.

36. Why is the Catholic Church so much persecuted?

The Catholic Church is so much persecuted because her divine Founder was also so persecuted, and because she rebukes vices, combats the passions, and condemns all injustices and all errors.

37. Are there other duties of Catholics toward the Church?

Every Catholic must have for the Church a boundless love, esteem himself infinitely honored and happy to belong to her, and labor for her glory and increase by all the means in his power.

§ 3. On the teaching Church and the learning Church

38. Is there any distinction among the members who compose the Church?

Among the members who compose the Church there is a very notable distinction, because there are those who command and those who obey, those who teach and those who are taught.

39. What is that part of the Church called which teaches?

The part of the Church which teaches is called the teaching Church.

40. What is the part of the Church called which is taught?

The part of the Church which is taught is called the learning Church.

41. Who established this distinction in the Church?

This distinction in the Church was established by Jesus Christ Himself.

42. Are the teaching Church and the learning Church, then, two distinct Churches?

The teaching Church and the learning Church are two distinct parts of one and the same Church, just as in the human body the head is distinct from the other members and yet forms together with them one single body.

43. Of whom is the teaching Church composed?

The teaching Church is composed of all the Bishops with the Roman Pontiff at their head, whether they be dispersed or gathered together in a Council.

44. And of whom is the learning Church composed?

The learning Church is composed of all the faithful.

45. Which persons, then, have in the Church the authority to teach?

The authority to teach in the Church belongs to the Pope and the Bishops, and, in dependence on them, to the other sacred ministers.

46. Are we obliged to listen to the teaching Church?

Yes, without doubt, we are all obliged to listen to the teaching Church under pain of eternal condemnation, because Jesus Christ said to the Pastors of the Church, in the person of the Apostles: "He who hears you hears Me, and he who despises you despises Me."

47. Besides the authority to teach, does the Church have any other power?

Yes, besides the authority to teach, the Church has especially the power to administer holy things, to make laws, and to require their observance.

48. Does the power which the members of the ecclesiastical hierarchy have come from the people?

The power which the members of the ecclesiastical hierarchy have does not come from the people, and it would be heresy to say so, but comes solely from God.

49. To whom belongs the exercise of these powers?

The exercise of these powers belongs solely to the hierarchical body, that is, to the Pope and the Bishops subordinate to him.

§ 4. On the Pope and the Bishops

50. Who is the Pope?

The Pope, whom we also call the Supreme Pontiff, or also the Roman Pontiff, is the successor of Saint Peter in the See of Rome, the Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth, and the visible head of the Church.

51. Why is the Roman Pontiff the successor of Saint Peter?

The Roman Pontiff is the successor of Saint Peter, because Saint Peter united in his own person the dignity of Bishop of Rome and of head of the Church; he established by divine disposition his see at Rome and there he died; therefore he who is elected Bishop of Rome is also the heir of all his authority.

52. Why is the Roman Pontiff the Vicar of Jesus Christ?

The Roman Pontiff is the Vicar of Jesus Christ because he represents Him on earth and takes His place in the government of the Church.

53. Why is the Roman Pontiff the visible head of the Church?

The Roman Pontiff is the visible head of the Church because he rules her visibly with the very authority of Jesus Christ, who is her invisible head.

54. What, then, is the dignity of the Pope?

The dignity of the Pope is the greatest of all earthly dignities, and gives him supreme and immediate power over each and all the Pastors and the faithful.

55. Can the Pope err in teaching the Church?

The Pope cannot err, that is, he is infallible, in the definitions that concern faith and morals.

56. For what reason is the Pope infallible?

The Pope is infallible by reason of the promise of Jesus Christ and the continual assistance of the Holy Spirit.

57. When is the Pope infallible?

The Pope is infallible only when, in his capacity as Pastor and Teacher of all Christians, by virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church.

58. What sin would one commit who did not believe the solemn definitions of the Pope?

One who did not believe the solemn definitions of the Pope, or even merely doubted them, would sin against the faith, and if he persisted obstinately in this unbelief, he would no longer be a Catholic, but a heretic.

59. For what end has God granted the Pope the gift of infallibility?

God has granted the Pope the gift of infallibility so that we may all be certain and assured of the truth that the Church teaches.

60. When was it defined that the Pope is infallible?

That the Pope is infallible was defined by the Church in the Vatican Council, and if anyone should presume to contradict this definition, he would be a heretic and excommunicated.

61. In defining that the Pope is infallible, did the Church perhaps establish a new truth of faith?

No, the Church, in defining that the Pope is infallible, did not establish a new truth of faith, but only, in order to oppose new errors, defined that the infallibility of the Pope, already contained in Sacred Scripture and in Tradition, is a truth revealed by God, and therefore to be believed as a dogma or article of faith.

62. How must every Catholic behave toward the Pope?

Every Catholic must acknowledge the Pope as Father, Pastor, and universal Teacher, and remain united to him in mind and heart.

63. After the Pope, who are by divine institution the most venerable persons in the Church?

After the Pope, by divine institution the most venerable persons of the Church are the Bishops.

64. Who are the Bishops?

The Bishops are the pastors of the faithful, placed by the Holy Spirit to govern the Church of God in the sees entrusted to them, in dependence on the Roman Pontiff.

65. What is the Bishop in his own diocese?

The Bishop in his own diocese is the lawful Pastor, the Father, the Teacher, the superior of all the faithful, clergy and laity, who belong to that same diocese.

66. Why is the Bishop called the lawful Pastor?

The Bishop is called the lawful Pastor because the jurisdiction, that is, the power he has to govern the faithful of his own diocese, was conferred on him according to the norms and laws of the Church.

67. Whose successors are the Pope and the Bishops?

The Pope is the successor of Saint Peter, the prince of the Apostles, and the Bishops are the successors of the Apostles, in what regards the ordinary government of the Church.

68. Must the faithful remain united to their own Bishop?

Yes, every member of the faithful, clergy and laity, must remain united in mind and heart to his own Bishop in grace and communion with the Apostolic See.

69. How must the faithful behave toward their Bishop?

Every member of the faithful, clergy and laity, must reverence, love, and honor his Bishop, and render him obedience in all that concerns the care of souls and the spiritual government of the diocese.

70. By whom is the Bishop assisted in the care of souls?

The Bishop in the care of souls is assisted by the priests, and principally by the parish priests.

71. Who is the Parish Priest?

The Parish Priest is a priest deputed to preside over and direct, in dependence on the Bishop, a portion of the diocese that is called a parish.

72. What duties do the faithful have toward their parish priest?

The faithful must remain united to their parish priest, listen to him docilely, and show him respect and submission in all that concerns the care of the parish.

§ 5. On the communion of saints

73. What does the ninth article of the Creed teach us by the words: the communion of saints?

By the words "the communion of saints," the ninth article of the Creed teaches us that in the Church, by reason of the intimate union that exists among all her members, the spiritual goods, both internal and external, which belong to her, are common.

74. What are the common internal goods in the Church?

The common internal goods in the Church are: the grace received in the sacraments, faith, hope, charity, the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, the superabundant merits of the Virgin and of the Saints, and the fruit of all the good works that are done in this Church.

75. What are the common external goods in the Church?

The common external goods in the Church are: the sacraments, the sacrifice of the Holy Mass, the public prayers, the religious functions, and all the other exterior practices that unite the faithful together.

76. Do all the children of the Church share in this communion of goods?

In the communion of internal goods share the Christians who are in the grace of God; those, however, who are in mortal sin do not partake of these goods.

77. Why do those who are in mortal sin not share in these goods?

Because the grace of God is what unites the faithful with God and with one another; and therefore those who are in mortal sin, being without the grace of God, are excluded from the communion of spiritual goods.

78. Have the Christians who are in mortal sin, then, no benefit at all from the internal and spiritual goods of the Church?

Christians who are in mortal sin have still some benefit from the internal and spiritual goods of the Church of which they are deprived, inasmuch as they preserve the character of the Christian, which is indelible, and are helped by the prayers and good works of the faithful to obtain the grace of conversion to God.

79. Can those who are in mortal sin share in the external goods of the Church?

Those who are in mortal sin can share in the external goods of the Church, unless they are separated from the Church by excommunication.

80. Why are the members of this communion, taken together, called saints?

The members of this communion are called saints because all are called to holiness and were sanctified through Baptism, and many of them have already attained to perfect holiness.

81. Does the communion of saints extend also to heaven and to purgatory?

Yes, the communion of saints extends also to heaven and to purgatory, because charity unites the three Churches — triumphant, suffering, and militant; and the Saints pray to God for us and for the souls in purgatory, and we give honor and glory to the Saints and can relieve the souls in purgatory by applying in their suffrage Masses, alms, indulgences, and other good works.

§ 6. On those who are outside the Church

82. Who are those who do not belong to the communion of saints?

Those who do not belong to the communion of saints in the other life are the damned, and in this life those who are outside the true Church.

83. Who are those who are outside the true Church?

Outside the true Church are the infidels, the Jews, the heretics, the apostates, the schismatics, and the excommunicated.

84. Who are the infidels?

The infidels are those who have not Baptism and do not believe in Jesus Christ; whether because they believe in and adore false divinities, as the idolaters; or because, although admitting the one true God, they do not believe in Christ the Messiah, neither as having come in the person of Jesus Christ nor as still to come, such as the Mohammedans and others like them.

85. Who are the Jews?

The Jews are those who profess the law of Moses; they have not received baptism and do not believe in Jesus Christ.

86. Who are the heretics?

The heretics are the baptized who pertinaciously refuse to believe some truth revealed by God and taught as of faith by the Catholic Church; for example, the Arians, the Nestorians, and the various sects of the Protestants.

87. Who are the apostates?

The apostates are those who abjure, that is, renounce by an external act the Catholic faith which they previously professed.

88. Who are the schismatics?

The schismatics are the Christians who, not explicitly denying any dogma, voluntarily separate themselves from the Church of Jesus Christ, that is, from the lawful pastors.

89. Who are the excommunicated?

The excommunicated are those who, for very grave failings, are struck with excommunication by the Pope or the Bishop, and therefore, as unworthy, are separated from the body of the Church, which awaits and desires their conversion.

90. Is excommunication to be feared?

Excommunication is to be feared greatly, because it is the gravest and most terrible punishment that the Church can inflict on her rebellious and obstinate children.

91. Of what goods are the excommunicated deprived?

The excommunicated are deprived of the public prayers, the sacraments, the indulgences, and ecclesiastical burial.

92. Can we in any way help the excommunicated?

We can in some way help the excommunicated and all the others who are outside the true Church, by salutary advice, by prayers, and by good works, beseeching God in His mercy to grant them the grace of conversion to the faith and of entering into the communion of the Saints.