The attributes and marks of the Church

Question 122

Which are the attributes of the Church?

The attributes of the Church are three: authority infallibility, and indefectibility.

Question 123

What do you mean by the authority of the Church?

By the authority of the Church I mean the right and power which the Pope and the bishops, as the successors of the Apostles, have to teach and to govern the faithful.

Question 124

What do you mean by the infallibility of the Church?

By the infallibility of the Church I mean that the Church cannot err when it teaches a doctrine of faith or morals.

Question 125

When does the Church teach infallibly?

The Church teaches infallibly when it speaks through the Pope and the bishops, united in general council, or through the Pope alone when he proclaims to all the faithful a doctrine of faith or morals.

Question 126

What do you mean by the indefectibility of the Church?

By the indefectibility of the Church I mean that the Church, as Christ founded it, will last till the end of time.

Question 127

In whom are these attributes found in their fullness?

These attributes are found in their fullness in the Pope, the visible Head of the Church, whose infallible authority to teach bishops, priests, and people in matters of faith or morals will last till the end of the world.

Question 128

Has the Church any marks by which it may be known?

The Church has four marks by which it may be known: it is One; it is Holy; it is Catholic; it is Apostolic.

Question 129

How is the Church One?

The Church is One because all its members agree in one faith, are all in one communion, and are all under one Head.

Question 130

How is the Church Holy?

The Church is Holy because its founder, Jesus Christ, is holy; because it teaches a holy doctrine; invites all to a holy life; and because of the eminent holiness of so many thousands of its children.

Question 131

How is the Church Catholic or universal?

The Church is Catholic or universal because it subsists in all ages, teaches all nations, and maintains all truth.

Question 132

How is the Church Apostolic?

The Church is Apostolic because it was founded by Christ on His Apostles, and is governed by their lawful successors, and because it has never ceased, and never will cease, to teach their doctrine.

Question 133

In which Church are these attributes and marks found?

These attributes and marks are found in the Holy Roman Catholic Church alone.

Question 134

From whom does the Church derive its undying life and infallible authority?

The Church derives its undying life and infallible authority from the Holy Ghost, the spirit of truth, who abides with it forever.

Question 135

By whom is the Church made and kept One, Holy, and Catholic?

The Church is made and kept One, Holy, and Catholic by the Holy Ghost, the spirit of love and holiness, who unites and sanctifies its members throughout the world.

Authority and the scope of infallibility

Questions 122, 123, 124, 125, 127

Authority concerns teaching and governing. Infallibility concerns definitive teaching on faith or morals under specified conditions; it is not a claim that every papal remark, administrative choice, or historical opinion is without error. Lumen gentium 25 explains the pope's definitive teaching as pastor of all the faithful and the teaching of bishops in communion with him. Read the older shorthand in that precise setting. It also does not mean the pope or bishops are personally incapable of sin.

Endurance and the Spirit's gift

Questions 126, 134, 135

Indefectibility is the lesson's term for the Church's enduring existence as founded by Christ. The final questions connect that promise with the Spirit. It should not be confused with a prediction that every local institution, custom, or project will endure unchanged. The Gospel commission joins Christ's promise of presence with the work of teaching and making disciples. The promise sustains a mission; it does not remove the need for faithfulness in carrying it out.

One and holy

Questions 128, 129, 130

The first two marks concern unity and holiness. The original answers locate holiness in Christ, the teaching and life to which people are called, and the witness of saints. They do not say that every member already lives that calling perfectly. Ephesians 4 places unity beside humility, patience, and bearing with one another. Read the marks as gifts that also summon a response: wrongdoing needs repentance and repair, rather than protection through an appeal to the Church's holiness.

Catholic and apostolic

Questions 131, 132, 133

Catholic means universal; apostolic concerns the apostles' foundation, teaching, and continuing pastoral mission. Question 133 expresses the Catholic Church's understanding of itself. The current Catechism also recognizes a real, though incomplete, communion with other baptized Christians. That context prevents the historical wording from becoming a claim that no truth or holiness exists beyond Catholic boundaries. Study the definitions as a connected profession of faith, with an obligation to seek unity and speak accurately about others.

Ephesians 4:1–16

Paul joins unity, diverse gifts, ministry, maturity, and truth spoken in love.

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Matthew 28:16–20

The commission connects teaching and baptism with Christ's abiding presence.

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

John 17:20–26

Jesus' prayer for believers places their unity in relation to divine love and witness to the world.

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.