53. Are all Christians bound to submit to the decisions of the Pope?

Yes, as often as he decides as Head and Teacher of the whole Church.

54. How does the Church decide, when differences arise in matters of faith? .

She decides conformably to the tenor of Holy Scripture and Tradition.

55. Does the Church then teach nothing new, when, in such differences, she decides what is to be believed?

No; she only explains the Word of God intrusted to her in Holy Scripture and Tradition, and condemns the opposite errors and innovations.

The doctrine of the Catholic Church is no other than the doctrine of Christ and the Apostles, which she has been intrusted with, in order that she may faithfully preserve and preach it. The Church, therefore, perpetually adheres to the old doctrine, inherited from the Fathers, and cries out with the Apostle to all: "Keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding the profane novelties of words, and oppositions of knowledge falsely so called." (1 Tim. 6, 20. and 2 Tim. 1, 14.)—“ But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse: erring, and driving into error. But continue thou in those things which thou hast learned, and which have been committed to thee." (2 Tim. 3, 13. 14.)—" If any one preach to you a Gospel, besides that which you have received, let him be anathema." (Gal. 1, 9.)—" What has been believed in all places, at all times, and by all people, that is really and truly Catholic." (Vincent of Lerins; d. 450.)

b, On Salvation in the true Church of Christ alone.

56. If the Catholic Church is to lead all men to eternal salvation, and has, for that purpose, received from Christ her doctrine, her means of grace, and her powers; † what, for his part, is every one obliged to do?

Compare Page 142. Q. 42-44.

Every one is obliged, under pain of eternal dam. nation, to become a member of the Catholic Church, to believe her doctrine, to use her means of grace, and to submit to her authority.

57. Who teaches us this obligation ? Jesus Christ Himself in these words (Matt. 18, 17.): "If he will not hear the Church, let him be to thee as the Heathen and Publican;" and (Mark 16, 16.): "He that believeth not (the Apostles and their lawful Successors,) shall be condemned."

Hence the Catholic Church is justly called the only saving Church. To despise her, is the same as to despise Christ; namely, His doctrine, His means of grace, and His powers; to separate from her is the same as to separate from Christ, and to forfeit eternal salvation. Therefore, St. Augustine, and the other Bishops of Africa, pronounced, A.D. 412, at the Council of Zirta, this decision: "Whosoever is separated from the Catholic Church, however commendable in his own opinion his life may be, he shall for this very reason, because he is at the same time separated from the Unity of Christ, not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3, 36.)

58. Who is a member of the Catholic Church?

Every one who is baptized, and has neither voluntarily separated himself, nor has been excluded, from her.

59. Who have voluntarily separated themselves from the Church?

1. All those who, by their own fault, are Heretics, i.e., who profess a doctrine that has been condemned by the Church; or, who are Infidels, that is, who no longer have, nor profess, any Christian faith at all; and

2. All those who, by their own fault, are Schismatics, that is, who have renounced, not the doctrine

Compare Page 135.. Q. 18 and 19.

of the Church, but their obedience to her, or to her Supreme Head, the Pope.

60. Who are excluded from the Catholic Church? Excommunicates, that is, those who, as degenerate members, have been expelled from the communion of the Church.

61. Are not those also who are Heretics without their own fault, separated from the Catholic Church? Such as are Heretics without their own fault, but sincerely search after the truth, and in the meantime do the will of God to the best of their knowledge, although they are separated from the body, remain, however, united to the soul, of the Church, and partake of her graces.

Even those who are Heretics without their own fault, are deprived, though not of all, at least, of many graces and blessings of our holy religion; as for instance are, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the true Lord's Supper, Sacramental Absolution, the Holy Sacraments administered to the dying, etc.-Therefore, we should fervently pray for Heretics, and by sincere charity, and an edifying life, contribute towards their conversion.

62.* Who is a Heretic by his own fault?

A Heretic by his own fault is,

1. He who knows the Catholic Church, and is convinced of her truth, but does not join her; and

2. He who could know her, if he would candidly search, but, through indifference and other culpable motives, neglects to do so.

63.* Does it become us to judge whether such a one is a Heretic by his own fault, or not?

No; for such judgment belongs to God, who alone "is the searcher of hearts and reins" (P§. 7, 10.), and "judges the secrets of men." (Rom. 2, 16.)

Judge not before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts." (1 Cor. 4, 5.)

L

64. Is it sufficient for obtaining eternal salvation, to be a member of the Catholic Church?

No; for there are also rotten and dead members (Apoc. 3, 1.) who, by their sins, bring upon themselves eternal damnation.

65. What then do we profess to believe by these words of the Creed, "I believe in the Holy Catholic Church ?"

We profess to believe that Jesus Christ has established a visible Church, endless in her duration, and infallible in her doctrine, which we must believe and obey without reserve, if we would obtain eternal salvation; and that this is no other but the Roman Catholic Church.

Application. It is but just that we call the Catholic Church our mother; for 1. She has regenerated us in a spiritual manner in Baptism, and has made us children of God; 2. She feeds us with the Word of God, and with the Bread of Angels; 3. She brings us up in the fear of the Lord; and 4. She kindly prays for us, comforts us, and assists us, as long as we live here below, and even after we have departed this life. Honour and love, therefore, the Church as your mother; listen diligently to her instructions, and humbly submit to all her laws and directions; for "He shall not have God for his Father, who will not have the Church for his Mother." (St. Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr; d. 258.)

S. 4. The Communion of Saints.

66. Are only the faithful on earth united together as one Church?

With the faithful on earth are also spiritually united the Saints in Heaven, and the souls in Purgatory.

The faithful on earth who are members of the Catholic Church, constitute the Church Militant; the souls in Purgatory, the Church Suffering; and the Saints in Heaven, the Church Triumphant; yet, these three Churches are, properly speaking, but one in different states.

67. In what does this spiritual union consist? This spiritual union consists in this, that all are members of one body, whose Head is Christ Jesus, and that, therefore, the different members participate in one another's spiritual goods.

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As in one body we have many members, so we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." (Rom. 12, 4. 5.)—" He (Christ) is the Head of the body, the Church." (Col. 1, 18.) 68. What is this spiritual union called?

The Communion of Saints.

69. Why are all the members of this Communion styled 'Saints?

Because all are called to be Saints (1 Thess. 4, 3.), and have been sanctified by Baptism; and many of them have already arrived at perfect sanctity.

70. What benefit do we reap from the communion with the Saints in Heaven?

We partake of the merits which they acquired while here below, and are assisted by their intercession with God in our behalf.

71. But does not death dissolve all union between the living and the dead ?

No; no more than it dissolves their union with Christ, their Head.

72. What benefit do the souls in Purgatory receive from our communion with them?

We come to the assistance of these our suffering brethren, in order that their pains may be mitigated and shortened.

73. By what means can we assist the poor Purgatory?

souls in

By prayers, alms-deeds, and other good works, especially by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the application of Indulgences.

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Judas (Machabeus) sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins