1. What are some of the qualities of the Catholic Church?
Some of the qualities of the Catholic Church are its catholicity, its unity, its holiness and its indestructibility.
2. What does the word “Catholic” mean?
The word “Catholic” means “Universal, relating to the whole world.”
“The Church is called Catholic by all her enemies, as well as by her own children. Heretics and Schismatics can call the Church by no other name than Catholic, for they would not be understood, unless they used the name by which the Church is known to the whole world” (St. Augustine in De Vera Religione, 7).
3. When was the name “Catholic” first used of the Church of Jesus?
The name “Catholic” was first used of the Church of Jesus by St. Ignatius of Antioch, who wrote in the year 110: “Where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church” (Ad Smyr. 8:2).
4. Why is the Church of Jesus called “Catholic”?
The Church established by Jesus is called Catholic because it is for all people of all nations and all times and because it teaches all the doctrines of Jesus.
“Going therefore, teach ye all nations … teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and behold I am with you all days even to the consummation of the world” (Matthew 28:19 & 20).
5. Is the Catholic Church spread all over the world?
Yes, the Catholic Church is the only Church spread all over the world, having nearly 400,000,000 members of every race and color in all sections of the world.
The marvelous growth of the Catholic Church, in spite of great obstacles and fierce persecution, is certainly a sign that it is the Church of Jesus.
6. Is there any other church spread all over the world?
No, there is no other church spread all over the world; as a matter of fact, the other churches generally are limited to the countries where they started.
Jesus wanted an INTERNATIONAL church, which the Catholic Church is. Whereas the Protestant churches are national churches, that is, restricted to one nationality, for the most part. Thus, the Episcopalians, the Presbyterians, the Baptists, the Methodists, the Adventists and the Christian Scientists are to be found principally among English-speaking people.
7. What is meant by the Unity of the Catholic Church?
By the unity of the Catholic Church is meant that all the Catholics all over the world —
1.) all believe the same things
2) all obey the same laws and receive the same Sacraments
3) all are united under the authority of the Pope.
“Not only for them (the Apostles) do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in Me; that they all may be one, as Thou, Father, in Me, and I in Thee; that they also may be one in Us” (John 17:20, 21).
8. Why is the Catholic Church Holy?
The Catholic Church is holy –
1) because its Founder, Jesus Christ, is holy
2) because it teaches a holy doctrine
3) because it gives its members what is needed to lead holy lives
4) because thousands of its members from every walk of life and every race and every period of its history have become Saints.
9. Could the Catholic Church ever be destroyed?
No, the Catholic Church could never be destroyed, because Jesus promised that ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
“Of His kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:33).
“The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44).
10. Has anyone ever tried to destroy the Catholic Church?
Yes, as Jesus had foretold, many governments have tried without success to destroy the Catholic Church, and thousands of Catholics have died for the True Church; such persons are called martyrs.
“You shall be brought before governors, and before kings for My sake. … And you shall be hated by all men for My name’s sake” (Matthew 10:18, 22).
They will lay their hands upon you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons, dragging you before kings and governors for My name’s sake” (Luke 21:12).