THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH

*75. What is the Catholic Church?
The Catholic Church is the union, founded by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, of all the faithful of the whole world into one body.

76. Why did Jesus found the Catholic Church?
Jesus founded the Catholic Church so that she might continue His own work on earth, and distribute the fruits of His redemption to all peoples until the end of the world.

77. How is the Catholic Church different from other religious bodies?
The Catholic Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic, and is therefore very different from every other religious body

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH

*78. Who is the head of the church?
The invisible head of the church is Jesus, the Son of God; the visible head of the Church is the Pope, the successor of St. Peter.

79. What powers did Jesus give to the Church?
Jesus gave three powers to the church: He authorized her
a) to teach all nations;
b) to govern the faithful;
c) to administer the sacraments and to offer sacrifice.

80. Can the Pope err when he teaches all the faithful?
The Pope cannot err whenever he uses his power as head of the Church to instruct all the faithful by defining a doctrine concerning faith or morals.

81. Why cannot the Pope err?
The Pope cannot err, because Jesus Himself has promised this, and besides, God the Holy Ghost constantly protects and assists him.

82. What are duties of the various classes in the Church towards each other?
The faithful should obey their priests, the priests should obey their bishops, the bishops should obey the Pope. By this mutual union, as our Lord Jesus Christ has said, they all become one fold under one shepherd.