Christian communities and consecrated bishops 769 774 781 784 788 800; the Church proceeds from the Side of Jesus 707.
What is the Church? 739 747 751 769.
Christ is the invisible Head , Lord and Protector of the Church: 463 514 (Christ in St. Peter’s little ship); 673 (“I am a king”); 774 (Christ governs the Church); 779 (St. Peter delivered from prison); 806 (Christ protects the Church).
Peter is the visible Head of the Church: 436 (Simon is called Peter); 518 (“The first Simon who is called Peter”); 539 (“Thou art Peter” &c.); 641 (“Confirm thy brethren”); 726 — 728 (the chief pastoral office conferred on Peter); He stands forth as the chief pastor 734 (at the election of Matthias); 735 (at Pentecost); 746 (when he questioned and punished Ananias); 750 (when he acted as spokesman before the Council); 768 (when he undertook a visitation); 774 (when he received a revelation and admitted the first Gentiles into the Church); 787 (by presiding at the Council of Jerusalem).
The Pope is the successor of St. Peter as chief pastor 541 807.
The bishops are the successors of the apostles 555 805 806 (Titus, Timothy &c.).
Types of the Church: 40 (the Ark of Noe); 463 728 (the ship of Peter).
§ 2. MARKS OF THE CHURCH.
Christ founded only one , and that one a visible Church 551 (“Tell it to the Church”); 540 (“On this rock I will build My Church”); 562 (“There shall be one fold and one shepherd”); there is only one truth 512. The Church of Christ must be: 1. one 645 (Christ prays for the unity of the Church); 2. holy 645 (“Keep them from evil . . . . Sanctify them in truth”); 3. catholic or universal 337; 510 (the grain of mustard-seed); 562 730 (“Teach all nations ... to the consummation of the world”); 761 (the Ethiopian); 4. apostolic 522 (the apostles are the patriarchs of the Church); 761 (the Church to be spread by the apostles and their successors).
The Roman Church is the true Church , founded by Christ, for she is:
1. one 49 562 745.
2. holy 510 51 1 745 (the holy lives of the first Christians).
3. universal 761 774 807.
4. apostolic 799 807.
In her alone are the types of the Old Testament fulfilled 173 337. According to our Lord’s prophecy 518 647; she is hated and persecuted by the world 751 754.
§ 3. THE OFFICE OF THE CHURCH.
The prophetical , priestly and royal office of the Church instituted by God 541, 723 (Jesus confers His own mission on the apostles); 774 (only by means of this threefold office can man have part in the grace of redemption).
