TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC CATECHISM
Lesson 11
THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH
"I believe in the Holy Catholic Church..."
Part One:
On The Church and Her Hierarchical Form of Government
"Fear not, little flock, for it hath
pleased your Father to give you a Kingdom."
(Luke 12:32)
What did the Apostles do after they had received the Holy Ghost on Pentecost?
After the Apostles received the Holy Ghost on Pentecost Sunday they went forth into the whole world preaching and baptizing, and gathered all those who believed and were baptized into congregations.
What arose from those congregations of believers?
There arose in many places communities of Christians, whose rulers were the Apostles. (See the Acts of the Apostles 2:41-42, 4:32)
The Acts of the Apostles in its entirety, and all of their Epistles bear witness that they ruled the early Christian communities not only by preaching and Baptizing, but also by making regulations and laws, judging, and punishing or excluding from the community of the faithful those that were unworthy (1 Cor. 5:5, 1 Tim. 1:20), and received them again when they repented. (2 Cor. 2:10)
"Now the multitude of the believers were of one heart and one soul, and not one of them said that anything he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.... Nor was there anyone among them in want. For those who owned lands or houses would sell them and bring the price of what they sold and lay it at the feet of the Apostles, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need." (Acts 4:32)
What did the Apostles do when the communities of Christians increased?
As the communities increased the Apostles chose elders from amongst them, consecrated them Bishops and appointed them everywhere as rulers of the new Christian communities, with the commission that they should likewise ordain and appoint others as the needs of the Church required.
"And when they had ordained to them Priests (or Elders, i.e., Bishops) in every Church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in Whom they believed." (Acts 14:22) "For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldst ordain Presbyters in every city, as I also appointed thee." (Titus 1:5)
Were all these various communities united with one another?
Yes, they were all closely united with one another; they professed the same Faith, partook of the same Sacraments, and formed all together one great Christian community under one common Head, St. Peter.
What did they call this great community of Christians under one visible Head?
This great Christian community was called the Catholic, i.e., Universal Church, or in one word, the Church.
What, then, is the Church, even at the present time?
Even at the present time the Church is the same congregation (or community) of all the faithful, who, being Baptized, 1. profess the same doctrineCthe Faith of Christ; 2. Partake of the same Sacraments; and 3. Are governed by their lawful pastors under one visible Head.
Was the Church thus organized by the Apostles?
No, she was thus organized by Jesus Christ, her Founder; the Apostles were only the instruments by which He accomplished His Will.
How did Jesus Christ thus organize His Church?
He thus organized His Church by conferring His own power upon the Apostles and sending them forth everywhere, 1. To preach; 2. To baptize; and 3. To govern those who were baptized under the supremacy of St. Peter.
The Great Commission given by Our Lord to His Apostles: "And Jesus drew near and spoke to them saying, 'All power in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world.'" (Matt. 28:18-20) And previous even to that He said to them: "As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained." (John 20:21-23)
"Amen I say unto you, whatsoever you bind on earth, shall be bound also in Heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose on earth, shall be loosed also in Heaven." (Matt. 18:18)
"He that heareth you, heareth Me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth Me." (Luke 10:16)
What three-fold office, together with His power, did Christ thus confer upon His Apostles?
By means of this commission the Apostles were empowered to exercise Christ's three-fold office of Priest, Prophet (Teacher), and King (Pastor):
1. The Priestly Office consists in the full power to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, to administer the Sacraments, to consecrate, and to bless. |
THE POWER OF ORDERS |
| 2. The Teaching Office
consists in the full power to preach the Divine Doctrine, to condemn heresies, and to
decide religious controversies. 3. The Pastoral Office consists in the full power to rule the Church, and consequently also to make laws and punish those who are disobedient. |
THE POWER OF JURISDICTION |
By means of this great commission Christ instituted a hierarchy or sacred authority founded upon the Apostles. For this reason the hierarchical Catholic Church is also called a "Divine Monarchy." The Apostles were the first "Princes of the Church" who exercised the Divine Authority which Christ imparted to those whom He chose to govern His Kingdom, the Church. All of their legitimate successors, the Bishops, inherit that sacred authority in this Divinely constituted Monarchy, the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church.
The Apostles and their legitimate Successors alone received the three-fold office bestowed by Christ, with the full power of Orders and of Jurisdiction (or Authority). Thus, Bishops alone are said to possess the "fulness of the Priesthood"; they alone have the right and authority to teach and to govern the flock; all that pertains to the Church must be accomplished with their consent and permission; they alone are capable of ordaining priests, consecrating other Bishops, and thus preserving the Church established by Christ.
"Let priests hold as sacred the authority of their Pastors, let them take it for certain that the sacerdotal (priestly) ministry, if not exercised under the guidance of the Bishops, can never be either holy, or fruitful, or worthy of respect." ( Pope St. Pius X, Pascendi,1907)
Why were the Apostles to exercise their office only under the supreme authority of St. Peter?
Christ appointed St. Peter to be His representative upon earth and the visible Head of the whole Church in order to maintain unity and union.
The Primacy is the right of St. Peter and His true successors to hold the first place as the visible head of the other Apostles (a Primacy of honor and of jurisdiction). This right was given to St. Peter by Our Lord Himself.
But is not Christ Himself the Head of the Church?
Yes, Christ is certainly the Head of the Church, but the invisible Head.
Why did Christ choose that the Church should have also a "visible" Head together with the invisible One?
Because the Church is a visible community or body, and a visible body must also have a visible Head.
How do we know that Christ appointed St. Peter to be the Supreme Head of His Church?
We know this from the fact that 1. Christ built His Church upon Peter, as upon the true foundation stone; 2. That He gave to Peter in particular the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; and 3. That Christ commissioned Peter alone to feed His entire flock.
The Foundation-stone:"And I say to thee, thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church." (Matt. 16:18) "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not, and thou being once converted confirm thy brethren." (Luke 22:32)
The Keys of the Kingdom: "And I will give to thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven." (Matt. 16:19)
The Head of the Apostles: Three times the risen Lord asked Peter: "Lovest thou Me?" And after Peter's threefold assurance: "Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee," the Good Shepherd makes Peter shepherd in succession to Himself: "Feed my lambs, feed My sheep." (John 21:15-17)
What facts are there to confirm our belief that St. Peter was appointed by Christ to be the Supreme Head of His Church?
After Christ's Ascension into Heaven, Peter 1. Actually did exercise the office of Head of the Church; and 2. He was likewise acknowledged by the Church as the Head of the Apostles, and the Pastor of the entire flock of Christ.
As often as something of importance was to be decided or accomplished, St. Peter arose first, and acted as the Head of the Apostles; as, for example, at the election of St. Matthias to take the place of Judas; on the Feast of Pentecost it was the sermon of St. Peter that converted 3,000 Jews, etc. (Acts of the Apostles) Even the Evangelists, when naming the Twelve Apostles, always put St. Peter first, although he was neither the oldest of them, nor had he been called to the Apostleship before the others. The Council of Ephesus (431 A.D..) decreed that it is "a fact questioned by no-one, and known in all ages, that St. Peter was the Prince and Head of the Apostles, the Foundation stone of the Catholic Church."
Was the supremacy of the Head of the Church to cease after the death of St. Peter?
No, for if the Church was to continue as Christ had established it, the Rock also on which He had built it, and the supremacy of the Head which He Himself had ordained to govern it, had to continue.
Also, if a visible head was necessary when the Church was still small and there were very few divisions or heresies, it was even more necessary when the Church had grown to very large numbers, and heresies and schisms became more frequent.
Who has been the visible Head of the Church since the death of St. Peter?
The visible Head of the Church has always been the lawful successor of St. Peter in the Episcopal See of Rome. The Vicar of Christ on earth is thus known as the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, or the Holy Father. ("Pope" is derived from the word papa, meaning "father.")
The true Holy Father always retains the title "Bishop of Rome" even though He may not actually reside there, by virtue of His Office as the legitimate Successor of St. Peter who established His Episcopal See in Rome. This actually occurred in several instances, for example, when the Popes ruled the Church from Avignon in France (1309-77), or when the Pius VII was arrested by Napoleon in 1809 and imprisoned in Fontainebleau until 1814. And since the death of His Holiness, Pope Pius XII (on October 9, 1958) present-day Rome has been subjected to a Modernist regime of false popes reigning over a diabolically-inspired world brotherhood which masquerades as the Catholic Church, which has publicly proclaimed itself as such since the false and heretical Second Vatican Council, 1962-65), while the legitimate successors of St. Peter and the Apostles have been driven once more into modern day "catacombs" because of their refusal to compromise the sacred doctrines and traditions of the One, True Church which Christ entrusted to them.
How many Popes have governed the Church from St. Peter to Pope Pius XII?
From St. Peter to Pope Pius XII, 262 Popes have governed the Church; and most of them were remarkable for wisdom, zeal, prudence, learning, and sanctity. Of the Sovereign Pontiffs that have succeeded Peter, 83 are canonized Saints, of whom 32 are martyrs.
What does "anti-pope" mean, and who were the anti-popes?
Anti-pope means a pretended pope. The anti-popes were men who, by the aid of evil partisans or manipulators, unlawfully seized and claimed the Papal power while the true and lawful Pope was in prison or exile.
What is the difference between the "anti-popes" recorded in history, and the "false popes" of the Vatican II sect?
Both the anti-popes and the false popes of the Vatican II sect are imposters, but the "anti-popes" ruled, albeit illegitimately, over the true Catholic Church, while the "false popes" of Vatican II, publicly professing an entirely new doctrine, are public and formal heretics who reign over an entirely new church and religion. They cannot, therefore, be compared to the anti-popes, most of whom were not heretics as such.
In the confusion of the Great Western Schism (1378-1417, when there were three men claiming to be pope, there were some Saints even, who temporarily adhered to one of the anti-popes, because these men professed no heretical doctrine. But there can be NO justification today for any adherence to the false popes and their new church, because their heretical doctrines are widespread and well-known, and have been vigorously denounced by the true Popes, especially in the century prior to the false council of Vatican II, e.g., the solemn condemnation of Modernism by His Holiness, Pope St. Pius X in 1907.
Was the three-fold office, which was common to all the Apostles, to continue at all times?
Yes, according to the design of Christ, the threefold-office which was held by all the Apostles was to pass from them to their Successors, and to continue in them, without interruption, to the end of the world.
We know this from the words of Our Lord when He bestowed this office upon them: "And behold, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world." (Matt. 28:20) This obviously must be understood of their Successors, since the Apostles were not to live until the end of the world.
Who are the Successors of the Apostles?
The Successors of the Apostles are the Catholic Bishops who are lawfully consecrated, and are in communion with the Visible Head of the Church, the true Pope, Successor of St. Peter. (The word "Bishop" comes from the Greek word episcopos, meaning (overseerer.")
One cannot be a true Successor of the Apostles who is not in communion with the Head of the Church, because he who is separated from the Head cannot even be a member of the Church. Thus St. Ambrose declares, "Ubi Petrus, ibi Ecclesia" -- "Where Peter is, there is the Church." This does not mean, however, that every true Catholic Bishop has unimpeded communication with the Sovereign Pontiff, such as in times of persecution, or when the Chair of Peter is vacant (sede vacante), but every true Catholic Bishop will be recognized by his constant adherence to the teachings and Authority of the legitimate Successor of St. Peter.
Is it the Pope alone Who, by Divine appointment, governs the Church?
It is not the Pope alone, but the Bishops also, who, by Divine appointment, govern the Church, with due submission to the true successor of St. Peter.
"Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you Bishops, to rule the Church of God." (Acts 20:28)
Thus is it that the Catholic Bishops continue to rule over the Church even if the See of Peter is temporarily vacant (sede vacante), or if they are unable to communicate with the Holy Father on account of persecution or other obstacles. Such obstacles do not impair their Authority to rule over the Church, for this Authority comes from God and without it, the Church cannot fulfill the purpose for which Christ established Her.
In what manner do the Bishops rule over the Church?
Each Catholic Bishop governs the portion of the Church allotted to him (a diocese, ecclesiastical province, etc.).
In recent times it has been the Pope who assigned to each Bishop his area of jurisdiction by issuing a Papal mandate, but in former times when communication with Rome was very difficult or impossible, Catholic Bishops were appointed by local Church authority in accordance with the hierarchical nature of the Church. Thus did St. Paul (not St. Peter) provide for the early Christian communities which he founded. "For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldst ordain Presbyters in every city, as I also appointed thee." (Titus 1:5) From the earliest years of the Church there were appointed Bishops with superior authority over all the Catholic Bishops in a particular region or country, subject of course to the supreme authority of St. Peter and his Successors. These were known as Patriarchs, Primates, or Archbishops. Some of the most ancient Patriarchal Sees were at Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, and Constantinople.
Through whom does the Bishop exercise His three-fold Office over the souls of his Flock?
The Bishop exercises His Office through the assistance of the Priests, Deacons, Clerics, and Religious whom He has expressly sent, or authorized, for that purpose.
The Priests and Clerics receive their ordination and mission, not from the faithful, but from God through the Bishop. When thus fulfilling their mission in due submission and conformity to the mind of their Bishop, they are "ambassadors for Christ, God as it were exhorting by them." (2 Cor. 5:20)
How is unity and good order maintained in the whole Church?
The faithful remain in ready obedience to the Clergy and those authorized by the Bishop; these remain in ready obedience to the Bishop; and the Bishops remain in due submission to the Supreme Head of the ChurchCthe true Pope, the Successor of St. Peter.
"Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the Presbyters. And all of you practice humility towards one another; for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God." (1 Peter 5:5-6) Christ has not given to all the members of the Church the same right and the same power, but "hath set the members, every one of them, in the Body as it hath pleased Him... And He gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and other some Evangelists, and other some Pastors and Doctors, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry... Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Doctors?" (1 Cor 12:18-29; Eph 4:11-12) "Obey your superiors and be subject to them, for they keep watch as having to render an account of your souls; so that they may do this with joy, and not with grief, for that would not be expedient for you." (Hebrews 13:17)
Did Christ establish His Church as a democracy?
Christ did NOT establish His Church as a democracy. At its head we find the Apostles, who did not receive their powers from the congregation of believers, but from Christ Himself. To them alone, and not to the whole body of His followers, Christ had said: "Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you"; to them alone He had said; "He that heareth you, heareth Me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth Me... And I dispose to you, as My Father hath disposed to Me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at My table in My Kingdom, and may sit upon thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Luke 10:16; 22:30) The Gospel of St. John bears the same testimony: "As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you... You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you." (John 20:21; 15:16)
The Apostles themselves were ever conscious of the fact that their authority was from Christ, and they acted accordingly; they never acknowledged any authority higher than their own; and they were careful to transmit this authority only to men worthy of its burden. St. Clement of Rome, the third successor of St. Peter, writes in the year 96 A.D.:
"The Apostles were warned by the Lord that after their death contentions would arise concerning the episcopacy; for this reason they appointed their own successors, and commanded them to see to it that other approved men take up their work after their departure."
Who are the Deacons?
In the early Church the Apostles were assisted in their work by the seven Deacons whom they selected. The Deacons cared for the poor, widows, and orphans, and assisted at the Divine service, preaching and baptizing.
Who are the Priests?
The Priests are also assistants to the Bishops in the work of the ministry, offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and administering the Sacraments. ("Priest" comes from the word presbyter, meaning "elder.")
However, the Priests do not possess the fulness of the Priesthood, i.e., they possess no authority in their own right except as delegated by the Bishop, nor the power to ordain or consecrate. Originally, the distinction between the title of "Bishop" and "Presbyter" (Priest) was not made, because the Apostles themselves exercised all the offices of the ministry superior to that of the Deacons. Soon, however, it became necessary to distinguish the offices of the successors of the Apostles who possessed the fulness of the Priesthood (Bishops), and those who possessed an inferior office in the ministry (Priests).
What do we learn from the Fathers of the Church about the necessity of adherence to the the Apostles and obedience to their successors?
The Fathers of the Church were very emphatic about the absolute necessity of adhering to and obeying the Apostles and their Successors:
St. Irenaeus of Lyons: "We must obey only those in the Church who have true succession from the Apostles; for with their episcopal succession they have received the gift of certainty in the truth according to God's Holy Will. We must suspect all those who are cut off from this original succession, whoever they may be."
St. Ignatius of Antioch: "Every one of you, follow the Bishop as Jesus followed the Father... Let no man perform anything pertaining to the Church without the Bishop. Wherever the Bishop appears, there let the people be, just as wheresoever Christ Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church. He who honors the Bishop is honored by God. He who does anything without the knowledge of the Bishop worships the devil."
Pope Benedict XV: "He who is not with his Bishop is not with the Church. Therefore, those who are not with the Bishop are not with God; neither are they with Jesus Christ."
Pope Leo XIII: "You must know that the Bishop is in the Church and the Church in the Bishop, so that if a man be not with the Bishop, he is not in the Church. On this subject, here are the grave words of St. Cyprian: "The people united to the priest and the flock cleaving to the Shepherd: this is the Church."