The Catholic Church and its Theory of Authority

The Papal Insignia

A quick note The following is a brief summary of some of the teachings and doctrines of the Catholic Church pertaining to its own spiritual authority. For the record, I am not a member of the Catholic Church, and my knowledge and understanding of Catholic teachings and doctrines are certainly not as complete as I would like. But having said that, what follows is what I believe to be a conscientious and helpful description of certain key teachings and doctrines held by the Church, particularly some that are relevant to understanding the rupture between the Protestant Reformers and the Church during the 1500s. It is NOT a complete description of the Catholic Faith in its entirety. But I hope that what you find here will be informative.

1.What does the term catholic mean? Essentially it means universal In short, the Catholic Church claims to be the universal church, i.e. the true church founded by Jesus Christ roughly 2000 years ago According to Christian tradition and scripture, Jesus was born during the reign of Caesar Augustus around 6 B.C.

2. According to the Catholic Church, upon who’s authority was the Church founded? Jesus Christ, the Son of God 3. More specifically, to whom did Jesus authorize to govern the Church? The Apostles AKA: The Disciples

4. Who were some of the Apostles? Peter, Andrew, James, John, Bartholomew, Thaddeus, Simon, Matthew, Philip, etc. Later—years after the crucifixion of Christ-- Saul of Tarsus converted to Christianity and became known as Paul 5. According to the New Testament and Christian tradition, who was the disciple who betrayed Jesus? Judas Iscariot

6. According to Christian tradition and scripture, what happened to Jesus Christ? After a few years of public ministry, he came into conflict with local Judean religious authorities, was arrested, was crucified by Roman authorities, died, and rose from the dead the third day after the crucifixion Jesus later appeared to his Apostles, ministered to them, and then ascended into Heaven.

7. According to the Catholic Church, Jesus gave his Apostles the authority to do what sorts of things? Proclaim the message of Christ and the essential truths of the Faith Administer the sacraments of the Church (e.g. baptism and communion) Ensure the authenticity and accuracy of Christian teachings

8. According to the Catholic Church, what became of this Apostolic Authority? During their ministries, the Apostles commissioned new ministers to become bishops (i.e. shepherds) of the various Christian congregations As the Apostles died out, the Bishops inherited this Apostolic Authority

9. Thus, what is a key teaching about apostolic authority, per the Catholic Church? The Bishops (even to this day) that have guided and governed the Catholic Church did so (and still do so) with authority handed down to them, authority that originally came from the Apostles of Jesus Christ himself.

10. In essence, the Church teaching about apostolic authority is essential in establishing what additional Church teaching? That the Roman Catholic Church is the true and complete Church as established by Jesus Christ and His Apostles In short, per Church teaching, the current Catholic Church is the same ancient Church established by Jesus Christ

11. Regarding the Catholic Church’s teaching about its own authority, how does it differ from many of the Protestant Churches of our time? Many Protestant denominations and sects largely claim to be faithful to Christian truth, but most DO NOT claim to have received their teaching authority through apostolic succession The Catholic Church, however, claims not only the ability to teach Christian truth, but also the special authority to do so.

12. According to Catholic teaching, who was the chief of the Apostles? Peter 13. According to Catholic tradition, to where did Peter ultimately travel to? Rome, the capital city of the Roman Empire

14. According to Catholic tradition, what became of Peter in Rome? Per Church teaching, Peter became the Bishop of Rome Per Church teaching, Peter was martyred (killed) for his faith, and was crucified upside- down

15. Per Catholic teaching, the Bishops of Rome who came after Peter inherited what? Peter’s teaching and governing authority for the Catholic (universal) Church. 16. According to the Catholic Church, what was so special about the Apostle Peter? Jesus himself chose Peter, and declared that upon the rock that was Peter, He (Jesus) would build his church, and that the gates of Hell would not prevail against it.

17. Thus, according to the Catholic Church, the Bishop of Rome occupies whose office, and has inherited whose authority? Peter’s 18. In time, the Bishop of Rome became known by what name? Pope In short, Pope means “father.”

19. Thus the authority of the Pope during the 1000 years after the fall of the Roman Empire (which had largely fallen by 476 AD) was based on what core Catholic teachings? The teachings of apostolic authority and apostolic succession The Pope, in essence, inherited his authority from Peter on the grounds that he had inherited Peter’s office

20. By the late 1400s and early 1500s, in central and western Europe, the spiritual head of Christendom (i.e. those lands in which Christianity was dominant) was seen as whom? The Pope, the Bishop of Rome