From where does the Church get the right to make laws?
Jesus Christ, the Founder of the Catholic Church, gave the right and duty to make laws to His Church (Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18). The Church uses her power to "bind and loose" to legislate for her children. Some Church laws simply make clear and more specific those laws which are made directly by God Himself. Other Church laws are for the purpose of good order and for the protection of the church and her children. The Church has no power to change, alter, or dispense anyone from God's laws. However, she can change, alter, or dispense from her own legislation in case of necessity or usefulness.
Reprinted from November 1, 1996
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Is it ever permissible to leave the Catholic Religion and join another church?
The Second Vatican Council, teaching what the Catholic Faith has always held, declared: "whoever, knowing that the Catholic Church was made necessary by God through Jesus Christ, would refuse to enter her or to remain in her cannot be saved". St. Cyprian said, "No one can have God for Father unless he also has the Church for his Mother". The situation is different, of course, for those people who, through no fault of their own, do not know the truth or the full truth about the Catholic Religion. So long as their ignorance is truly invincible, it is possible for them to be connected with the Catholic Church, even though they did not this, and thus salvation could be possible for them.
Reprinted from October 11, 1996
Holy
many ecumenical councils have there been in Church History?
There have been twenty-one ecumenical or general councils recognized as such by the Catholic Church, the last being the Second Vatican Council which ended on December 8, 1965. These twenty-one councils do not include the "apostolic council" which was held by the Apostles in Jerusalem (Acts of the Apostles 15:6-29). The first ecumenical council was that of Nicea (a suburb of present day Istanbul) held in 325 AD.
Reprinted from September 20, 1996
What are the marks of the Church?
There are four marks which distinguish the Catholic Church: one, holy, catholic and apostolic. There are three attributes of the Church: authority, indefectibility, and infallibility.
Reprinted from September 20, 1996
I am
over 60 years of age and had a very short marriage right after high school.
Then I fell away from the Catholic Church, but now I would like to return.
Where do I start?
The best place to start is to go to a priest at the parish nearest you. If you would find this difficult or embarrassing, go to any priest and he will help you to get underway toward your full membership again in the Church. Be sure to pray regularly and to start going to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day, but do not receive Holy Communion until your situation in the Church is made regular again.
Reprinted from December 3, 1999
Is it
correct to say, in the Apostles' Creed, "He descended to the dead,"
rather than "He descended into hell"?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church uses the more traditional expression "He descended into hell" and gives a full and fine explanation of the term (number 631 - 635). "Hell" here, of course, means "abode of the dead" (1 Peter 4:6), where the just of the Old Testament awaited the opening of the gates of heaven by Christ's ascension. It does not mean the hell of the damned. I suggest you study the numbers treating this matter in the Catechism.
Reprinted from April 10, 1998