In
Lesson Tenth of the
Baltimore Catechism No. 2, we discussed the chief effects of the redemption. Now, in Lesson Eleventh, we learn about the primary means through which Christ shares that redemption with us: the Church.
The Church is no mere voluntary organization but a divine creation ordained by Christ for our salvation. In union with the pope, the successor to Peter, the bishops--the successors of the other apostles--teach the truths of the Christian Faith to all.
The questions are numbered consecutively with Lesson Tenth. For more information and links to other resources, click on each question below.
A. The means instituted by our Lord to enable men at all times to share in the fruits of His Redemption are the Church and the Sacraments.
A. The Church is the congregation of all those who profess the faith of Christ, partake of the same Sacraments, and are governed by their lawful pastors under one visible head.
A. Jesus Christ is the invisible Head of the Church.
A. Our Holy Father the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, is the Vicar of Christ on earth and the visible Head of the Church.
A. The Pope, the Bishop of Rome, is the visible Head of the Church because he is the successor of St. Peter, whom Christ made the chief of the Apostles and the visible Head of the Church.
A. The successors of the other Apostles are the bishops of the Holy Catholic Church.
A. Christ founded the Church to teach, govern, sanctify, and save all men.
A. All are bound to belong to the Church, and he who knows the Church to be the true Church and remains out of it cannot be saved.
