God 2

Apostolic Succession- The truth that the Catholic bishops today can trace their authority in a direct line back to the Apostles and ultimately from Christ Himself. Each consecrated bishop is by another bishop.

Bishop- A consecrated successor to the Apostles, usually given charge of the pastoral and catechetical care of a particular jurisdiction, or diocese, he is called to teach, sanctify, and govern the faithful of his own diocese, and also to work together in caring for the worldwide Church.

Cathedral- From the Latin cathedra, meaning chair. The official church of the local bishop, his seat of authority, usually located in the city from which the diocese takes its name.

Catholic- The word “catholic” means “universal,” in the sense of “according to the totality” or “in keeping with the whole.” The Church is catholic in a double sense: first, possesses the fullness of the means of salvation. Second, it has been sent by Christ to the whole human race.

Charism- A specific gift or grace of the Holy Spirit that directly or indirectly benefits the Church. It is given in order to help a person live out the Christian life or serve the common good in building up the Church.

Church- Latin ecclesia, the Greek ekklesia, and the Hebrew quhal, all meaning assembly. It is derived from the Greek Kyriake, what belongs to the Lord. A name given the assembly of the People of God called together from the ends of the earth. This word has three meanings: the people that God gathers together, the local church (diocese) and the liturgical assembly. Specifically, particularly when spelled with a capital C, it refers to the Catholic Church.

Diocese- The territory and the churches under a bishop’s authority; a community of the Christian faithful in communion of faith and Sacraments with their bishop ordained in apostolic succession; also called a “particular church.” In the East, it is often called an eparchy.

Domestic Church- Refers to the family. Married couples within the life of the Church - Catholic family life.

Ecclesiology- The study of the Church, specifically in Christianity. (Also refer to the term Church).

Ecumenism- The efforts to reunite all Christians on earth and to cooperate among Christian faith traditions in achieving common goals.

Ecumenical Council- From the Greek oikounmen, meaning “the whole inhabited world.” A formal synod (gathering/meeting) of bishops (sometimes with other ecclesiastics) from the whole inhabited world convened to define doctrine, regulate the Christian life, or apply discipline in the Church. (Also refer to the term Conciliar).

Evangelization- The mission given to the Apostles by Christ to preach the Gospel to the whole world and make converts of every nation; also, witnessing to our faith in the Gospel in our daily lives.

Infallibility- Immunity from error and any possibility of error. The gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church whereby the Magisterium can definitively proclaim a doctrine in faith or morals without error. The Church possess this character as promised by Christ, as does the Pope as defined by Vatican I (1870).

Laity- All the faithful, except those in Holy Orders and those in the state of religious life specially approved by the Church. These faithful are by Baptism made one body with Christ and share in the priestly, prophetical and kingly functions of Christ. They carry out for their own part the mission of the whole Christian people in the Church and in the world. Most people within the life of the Church are the laity, also called “lay people.”

Magisterium- The name given to the ordinary and universal teaching authority of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him, who guide the members of the Church without error in matters of faith and morals through the interpretation of Sacred Scripture and Tradition.

Martyr- Greek for “witness.” A witness to the truth of the Faith in which a Christian endures suffering and even death for Christ.

Parish- A defined territorial district within a diocese, with its own church and congregation, which is placed in care of a priest.

Pope- Successor of St. Peter; Bishop of Rome; supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church. The Pope exercises a primacy of authority as Vicar of Christ and shepherd of the whole Church. He is seen as the “Vicar of Christ” which emphasizes the role of the Pope as a representative of Christ Himself.

Priest- Greek presbyteros, meaning elder. A member of the order of presbyters; this baptized and confirmed male is ordained to be a co-worker with his bishop in service to the People of God.

Consecrated Life (religious life)- A permanent state of life recognized by the Church, entered into freely in response to the call of Christ to perfection, and characterized by the profession of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Saint- In its more specific sense, any individual who has died and been canonized by the Catholic Church, meaning that the person is known to be in Heaven. The members of the Church on earth, the People of God, are also called saints (CCC 823).

Schism- A breach of the unity of the visible Church; the refusal to submit to the Pope or be united with the Church.