My personal way of answering [as the Church teaches] would be: The Church
is the mystical body of Christ. It consist of three parts:
It also consists of those that have been validly baptized, yet through
their own free will or ignorance of the faith, have not accepted the fullness of the Faith that can be found
only in the Church Jesus
established on St. Peter and his successors. Note Question 163 and Question
168 below.
We make a distinction between those who make up the mystical body of Christ
and those that will be saved. Some Catholics in the mystical Body of Christ
who make unholy choices may not necessarily be saved. This also applies
to non-Catholic Christians who know the Catholic Church was founded by
Jesus as necessary for the salvation, yet refuse to enter.
On the other end, those who through no fault of their own, have not heard
the Gospel, may be saved by grace through the natural [good/natural] law
that has been written on their hearts.
This natural [good/natural] law manifests
itself by the good actions and work of these people.
The following questions and answers from the Compendium of the Catholic
Church may help.
Mike
Question 162.
Where does the one Church of Christ subsist?
The one Church of Christ, as a society constituted and organized in
the world, subsists in (subsistit in) the Catholic Church, governed by
the Successor of Peter and the bishops in communion with him. Only through
this Church can one obtain the fullness of the means of salvation since
the Lord has entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant to the apostolic
college alone whose head is Peter.
Question 163.
How are non-Catholic Christians to be considered?
In the churches and ecclesial communities which are separated from full
communion with the Catholic Church, many elements of sanctification and
truth can be found. All of these blessings come from Christ and lead
to Catholic unity. Members of these churches and communities are incorporated
into Christ by Baptism and we so we recognize them as brothers.
Question 164.
How does one commit oneself to work for the unity of Christians?
The desire to restore the unity of all Christians is a gift from Christ
and a call of the Spirit. This desire involves the entire Church and
it is pursued by conversion of heart, prayer, fraternal knowledge of
each other and theological dialogue.
Question 165.
In what way is the Church holy?
The Church is holy insofar as the Most Holy God is her author. Christ
has given himself for her to sanctify her and make her a source of sanctification.
The Holy Spirit gives her life with charity. In the Church one finds
the fullness of the means of salvation. Holiness is the vocation of each
of her members and the purpose of all her activities. The Church counts
among her members the Virgin Mary and numerous Saints who are her models
and intercessors. The holiness of the Church is the fountain of sanctification
for her children who here on earth recognize themselves as sinners ever
in need of conversion and purification.
Question 166.
Why is the Church called “Catholic”?
The Church is catholic, that is universal, insofar as Christ is present
in her:
“Where there is Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church”
— Saint
Ignatius of Antioch (107 A.D.)
The Church proclaims the fullness and the totality of the faith; she
bears and administers the fullness of the means of salvation; she is
sent out by Christ on a mission to the whole of the human race.
Personal note: I found the quote from St. Pacian of Barcelona in 375 A.D. on my home page, very helpful.
Question 167.
Is the particular Church catholic?
Every particular Church (that is, a diocese or eparchy) is catholic.
It is formed by a community of Christians who are in communion of faith
and of the sacraments both with their Bishop, who is ordained in apostolic
succession, and with the Church of Rome which presides in charity (Saint
Ignatius of Antioch).
Question 168.
Who belongs to the Catholic Church?
All human beings in various ways belong to or are ordered to the Catholic
unity of the people of God. Fully incorporated into the Catholic Church
are those who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, are joined to the Church
by the bonds of the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical
government and communion. The baptized who do not enjoy full Catholic
unity are in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic
Church.
Question 169.
What is the relationship of the Catholic Church with the
Jewish people?
The Catholic Church recognizes a particular link with the Jewish people
in the fact that God chose them before all others to receive his Word.
To the Jewish people belong
“the sonship, the glory, the covenants,
the giving of the law, the worship, the promises, and the patriarchs;
and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ” (Romans
9:4, 5).
The Jewish faith, unlike other non-Christian religions, is already
a response to the revelation of God in the Old Covenant.
Question 170.
What is the bond that exists between the Catholic Church
and non-Christian religions?
There is a bond between all peoples which comes especially from the
common origin and end of the entire human race. The Catholic Church recognizes
that whatever is good or true in other religions comes from God and is
a reflection of his truth. As such it can prepare for the acceptance
of the Gospel and act as a stimulus toward the unity of humanity in the
Church of Christ.
Question 171.
What is the meaning of the affirmation:
“Outside the
Church there is no salvation”?
This means that all salvation comes from Christ, the Head, through the
Church which is his body. Hence they cannot be saved who, knowing the
Church as founded by Christ and necessary for salvation, would refuse
to enter her or remain in her. At the same time, thanks to Christ and
to his Church, those who through no fault of their own do not know the
Gospel of Christ and his Church but sincerely seek God and, moved by
grace, try to do his will as it is known through the dictates of conscience
can attain eternal salvation.
Question 172.
Why must the Church proclaim the Gospel to the whole world?
The Church must do so because Christ has given the command: “Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
This missionary mandate of the Lord has its origin in the eternal love
of God who has sent his Son and the Holy Spirit because “he desires
all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1
Timothy 2:4).
Question 173.
In what sense is the Church missionary?
The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, continues the mission of Christ
himself in the course of history. Christians must, therefore, proclaim
to everyone the Good News borne by Christ; and, following his path, they
must be ready for self-sacrifice, even unto martyrdom.
Question 174.
Why is the Church Apostolic?
The Church is apostolic in her origin because she has been built on “the
foundation of the Apostles” (Ephesians 2:20). She is apostolic
in her teaching which is the same as that of the Apostles. She is apostolic
by reason of her structure insofar as she is taught, sanctified, and
guided until Christ returns by the Apostles through their successors
who are the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter.
Question 175.
In what does the mission of the Apostles consist?
The Word “Apostle” means “one who is sent”.
Jesus, the One sent by the Father, called to himself twelve of his disciples
and appointed them as his Apostles, making them the chosen witnesses
of his Resurrection and the foundation of his Church. He gave them the
command to continue his own mission saying, “As the Father has
sent me, so I also send you” (John 20:21); and he promised to remain
with them until the end of the world.
Question 176.
What is Apostolic Succession?
Apostolic Succession is the transmission by means of the sacrament of
Holy Orders of the mission and power of the Apostles to their successors,
the bishops. Thanks to this transmission the Church remains in communion
of faith and life with her origin, while through the centuries she carries
on her apostolate for the spread of the Kingdom of Christ on earth.
Question 177.
Who are the faithful?
The Christian faithful are those who, inasmuch as they have been incorporated
in Christ through Baptism, have been constituted as the people of God;
for this reason, since they have become sharers in Christ's priestly,
prophetic and royal office in their own manner, they are called to exercise
the mission which God has entrusted to the Church. There exists a true
equality among them in their dignity as children of God.
Question 178.
How are the people of God formed?
Among the faithful by divine institution there exist sacred ministers
who have received the sacrament of Holy Orders and who form the hierarchy
of the Church. The other members of the Church are called the laity.
In both the hierarchy and the laity there are certain of the faithful
who are consecrated in a special manner to God by the profession of the
evangelical counsels: chastity or celibacy, poverty, and obedience.
Question 179.
Why did Christ institute an ecclesiastical hierarchy?
Christ instituted an ecclesiastical hierarchy with the mission of feeding
the people of God in his name and for this purpose gave it authority.
The hierarchy is formed of sacred ministers,; bishops, priests, and deacons.
Thanks to the sacrament of Orders, bishops and priests act in the exercise
of their ministry in the name and person of Christ the Head. Deacons
minister to the people of God in the diakonia (service) of word, liturgy,
and charity.
