Incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ
.
.
1269 Having become a member of the Church, the person baptized belongs no longer to himself, but to him who died and rose for us. (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 5:15) From now on, he is called to be subject to others, to serve them in the communion of the Church, and to "obey and submit" to the Church's leaders, (Hebrews 13:17) holding them in respect and affection. (cf. Ephesians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 16:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; John 13:12-15) Just as Baptism is the source of responsibilities and duties, the baptized person also enjoys rights within the Church: to receive the sacraments, to be nourished with the Word of God and to be sustained by the other spiritual helps of the Church.
(cf. Vatican II, Lumen Gentium 37; Code of Canon Law, canons 208-223; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, canon 675: 2) |
