The Catholic Church: Nature and Mission

The Church, like Filipinos, possesses distinct characteristics and qualities.
These qualities are derived from the Gospel of John (Jn 17:21), emphasizing the concept of oneness:
- $Jn 17:21$ : "That all may be one even as you, Father, are in me and I in you. I pray that they may be one in us."
The unity of the Church signifies its role as a sacrament of Christ.

Matthew 16:18:
- $Mt. 16:18$ : "And I tell you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it."
Ephesians 2:19-22:
- $Eph. 2:19-22$ : Highlights that members are citizens with the saints, part of God's household.
- Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone.
- The structure grows into a holy temple in the Lord, a dwelling place for God.

These marks distinguish the Catholic Church from other religious groups.
The Nicene Creed proclaims these four criteria: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.
The Church does not inherently possess these qualities; rather, Christ, through the Holy Spirit, bestows them.
The Church is called by Christ to realize these qualities (CCC, 811).

The Church's unity is a mystery founded in Christ.
Source of unity: The Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
The Blessed Trinity serves as the primary foundation of the Church's oneness.
Jesus Christ, the founder, reconciled humanity to God, restoring unity in one people and body.
Unity is the essence of the Church.
Unity depends on the unity of God rather than the Church itself.
The Holy Spirit is the 'soul' of the Church, fostering communion and joining the faithful in Christ.
Fundamental unity: unity in faith, hope, and love.
Ideal unity: unity in freedom and diversity, where individuals with different gifts serve one another.
Tolerance is insufficient; respect, love, acceptance, and a desire for togetherness are essential.
Christ, through the Holy Spirit, makes the Church one, and all are called to live out this oneness.

The Church's holiness stems from its founder, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ sanctified the Church by giving himself and sending His Spirit.
Holiness involves commitment to justice, transforming the world through compassion, service, and unconditional love.
Holiness is manifested through God's love (charity).
Charity/love is the center of holiness.
Holiness is found in one's daily relationship with God.
All are called to holiness by Christ.
The Church is the Bride of Christ.
God's love sanctifies the Church, rather than it being inherently holy.

Derived from the Greek word Kath’olou, meaning “referring to the whole”, universal, related to all, embracing.
Universal mission: spreading the Good News/Kingdom of God.
All are called to belong to the people of God.
The Good News is for everyone, and the Kingdom of God is for the entire world.
The Day of Pentecost signifies that the assembly experienced God in all cultures and languages.
The Church possesses the fullness of the means for salvation: complete confession of faith, full sacramental life, and ordained ministry in apostolic succession.
The term 'Catholic' became divisive after the East-West Schism (11th century).
- The East became the Holy Orthodox Church.
- The West claimed the title Catholic Church.
Protestant Reformation (16th century): Churches that broke with the papacy.
Sectarianism: a part of the Church that separated itself from the worldwide church.
- Example: Donatism (the effectiveness of the sacraments depends on the moral character of the minister) “EX OPERE, OPERATO”.
Catholicism encompasses a wide variety of theologies, spiritualities, liturgies, and expressions of the Christian life, not based on a single theological tradition.
The universality of Christian faith should be manifested in the openness of Christian churches.
Global good of all: able to live demands of justice, peace, equality, sharing of goods and integrity of creation.

The Church is Apostolic because of its origins in Christ and His Apostles.
Mission: to spread Christ’s word, message, ministry and service.
The Church is Apostolic in several ways:
- Christ grounded the Church permanently on the foundation of the Apostles (Eph 2:20).
- Apostolic in terms of succession in apostolic teaching and tradition.
- The Church continues to be instructed, sanctified, and guided by the apostolic tradition until Christ’s return through their successors in the pastoral ministry – the bishops, assisted by presbyters, in union with the successor of Peter, the Pope (CCC 857-60).
- The Church remains, through the successors of Peter and the other apostles in communion of faith and life with her origin.
Christ formed the Apostles in a form of college or permanent assembly, over which He placed Peter chosen from among them, as its head! (CFC, 1409).
$Jn 21:15-17$ : “Feed my lambs”.
As “Apostolic,” the Church is a hierarchical community, whose unity in faith and communion are grounded in the successors of the apostles (CFC, 1490).

The four attributes of the Church are a challenge and a task for every Christian community, not just the Church's exclusive property.
The Church must continuously aspire to be ever more fully one, holy, catholic, and apostolic (Donovan, 151).
These marks remain challenges to all the churches.

The Church of Christ (one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic) is truly present in its essential completeness in the Catholic Church.
Institutional fullness of the Church of Christ is found in the Catholic Church.
The one Church of Christ is present beyond the boundaries of the Roman Catholic Church which remains ‘joined in many ways’ in the Holy Spirit to the baptized in other Churches and ecclesial communities (LG15).

Non-Catholic Christians are also incorporated into the Body of Christ and thus, into the Church.
Non-Christian believers can be saved if:
- They strive to do God’s will according to their state of knowledge.
- Action of grace extends beyond the Church’s institutional boundaries.
Christians know the plan because:
- They received redemption AND revelation.
Mission of Christians is to proclaim the love of God in words and deeds and their life.
Membership in the Church is not a condition of salvation (Mt. 7:21).
The final test will be leading a just life.

Christ bestowed unity on His Church from the beginning, but the Church must always pray and work to maintain, reinforce, and perfect the unity Christ wills for her. (CCC 820).
We should pray that the Christians from EAST and WEST will someday walk together in unity of faith and with respect for legitimate diversity, accepting and sustaining each other as members of the one Body of Christ.