Download 14 October 2009 RCIA – Saint Thomas more

Theology of the Church
14 OCTOBER 2009
RCIA – SAINT THOMAS MORE
THEOLOGY OF THE CHURCH

“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon
this rock I will build my church, and the gates of
the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will
give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall
be loosed in heaven.”
Mt. 16:18-19
THEOLOGY OF THE CHURCH

Jesus clearly intends to establish the Church

Peter is given a special role of authority in the
Church – Peter and the apostles are the
foundation stones

The Church will last until the end of time
THEOLOGY OF THE CHURCH

“All power in heaven and on earth has been
given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have
commanded you. And behold, I am with you
always, until the end of the age.”
Mt. 28:18-20
THEOLOGY OF THE CHURCH
The apostles share in the mission and the
power of Christ
 They are called to teach, sanctify, and govern
 Christ remains with the Church until the end of
time
 The Church receives the mission of proclaiming
and establishing among all peoples the
Kingdom of God

THE ROLE OF THE APOSTLES
The significance of 12
 Apostle = “one who is sent”
 They carry on the work of Christ
 The bishops are successors of the apostles
 The apostles teach what Christ taught
 The apostles teach with authority

PETER
Head of the apostles and the Church
 The shepherd who represents the Good
Shepherd here on earth
 Peter is charged with feeding the lambs/sheep
 Martyred in 66 A.D. – successors of St. Peter
continue to shepherd the Church with authority

PETER

Chosen in spite of flaws/shortcomings

Shows the power of God’s grace

The one who denied Jesus 3 times becomes
the leaders of the Church

“…they were all in one place together. And
suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a
strong driving wind, and it filled the entire
house in which they were. Then there appeared
to them tongues as of fire, which parted and
came to rest on each one of them. And they
were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” Acts 2:1-4
MARKS OF THE CHURCH

Outward showings/visible to all

One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic

Essential features of the Church and her
mission
THE CHURCH IS ONE
One because of her source
 Profession of one faith
 Common celebration of divine worship
 Apostolic succession
 “That all may be one in us…”

THE CHURCH IS HOLY
The holiness of Christ
 Does not depend on the holiness of her
members
 The saints are examples of holiness – holiness
is possible!
 Teachings and Worship

THE CHURCH IS CATHOLIC

Universal

All doctrines to all nations

“Where there is Jesus Christ, there is the
Catholic Church.” St. Ignatius of Antioch
OUTSIDE THE CHURCH THERE IS NO SALVATION

What does this mean?

Does this mean non-Catholics can’t go to
heaven? – NO!
IMAGES OF THE CHURCH

The Body of Christ

Bride of Christ

Temple of the Holy Spirit

Shepherd/Flock
Successor of Peter
 The Vicar of Christ
 “perpetual and visible source and foundation of
unity…”
 Full, supreme, and universal power
 Infallible in matters of faith and morals

BISHOPS IN UNION WITH THE POPE
Form a college united to/with the Pope
 College of bishops have no authority unless
united with the Pope
 Individual bishops are the visible source of
unity in their diocese
 Heralds of faith
 Authentic teachers of the faith

BISHOPS IN UNION WITH THE POPE
THE HIERARCHY

Bishops

Priests

Deacons
The faithful who are incorporated into Christ
and integrated into the People of God
 In the front line of Church life
 Work to bring the Good News of salvation to the
world
 Permeate the world with holiness through their
daily activities

THE CHURCH

Triumphant

Suffering

Militant
THE CHURCH

“The Church is like the moon, all its light is
reflected from the sun.”