Villanueva, Veloso, See, Romero, Reyes, Rendon, Reglos

FOUR MARKS OF THE CHURCH

Just as Filipinos have general characteristics and qualities, so does the Church

We can trace these qualities from the Gospel according to John: (Jn 17:21) We are ONE. 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 oneness of the Church helps us understand how the Church becomes the sacrament of Christ

FOUR MARKS OF THE CHURCH To distinguish itself from all other religious

groups Four criteria proclaimed in the Nicene Creed: One,

Holy, Catholic and Apostolic The Church does not possess the four qualities

herself It is Christ who, through the Holy Spirit, makes

the Church as one, holy, catholic and apostolic It is Christ who calls the Church to realize each of

these qualities CCC, 811

FOUR MARKS OF THE CHURCH

Not the only marks, but have become traditional

Seen more as gifts from God and as tasks to be achieved

Inseparably linked with each other Essential features of the Church and her

mission

THE CHURCH IS ONE

The Church is a mystery of unity Its ultimate foundation is in Christ, in whom the

Church is undivided The Church is one because of her source: the

unity, in the Trinity of Persons, of one God, the Father, the Son in the Holy Spirit The Blessed Trinity is the primary foundation of

the unity of the Church

The Church is one because of her founder, Jesus Christ who reconciled all men to God He has restored the unity of all in one people and

one body Unity is the essence of the Church

Unity depends ultimately not on the Church itself but upon the unity of God

The Church is one because of the Holy Spirit The ‘soul’ of the Church It brings about that wonderful communion of the

faithful and joins them together in Christ. The most fundamental in the Church- our

unity in faith, hope and love Ideal unity- a unity in freedom and diversity in

which people with different charisms and gifts of grace serve one another

Within the unity of one faith, tolerance is not enough. Respect, love and acceptance for one another and the desire to come to a ‘togetherness’ is also needed

It is Christ who, through the Holy Spirit, makes his Church one. And we are all called to live out this oneness.

THE CHURCH IS HOLY

Primarily, the church is holy because of her founder Jesus Christ.

To sanctify the church, Jesus Christ, gave himself to her and sent His Spirit to her.

Holiness is the commitment to justice. It is transforming of the world according to God’s plan through compassion, service and unconditional love. It is seen through God’s love.

Charity /Love is the center of holiness.

Ang pagiging Banal ay di nababatay sa pagiging laman ng simbahan ngunit nasa pang-araw-araw mong ugnayan sa Diyos.

All of us are called by Christ to holiness. The Church is the Bride of Christ. Ang pagmamahal ng Diyos ang nagpapabanal sa

simbahan, sa halip na likas syang banal sa ganang sariling kakayahan.

THE CHURCH IS CATHOLIC/ UNIVERSAL

From the Greek word Kath’olou- “referring to the whole”, universal, related to all, embracing

Universal mission (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 whole world

Day of Pentecost This event shows that the assembly had

experienced God in all cultures and languages Church is endowed with the fullness of the

means for Salvation- that is complete confession of faith, full sacramental life, and ordained ministry in apostolic succession

Use of the word Catholic became divisive after1. East-West Schism (11th century)

– East became Holy Orthodox Church– West claimed the title Catholic Church

HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH

2. Protestant Reformation (16th century)– Churches that broke with the papacy

3. Sectarian- part of the Church that separated itself from the worldwide church– Example: Donatism

Catholicism is not based on a single theological tradition but includes a wide variety of theologies, spiritualities, liturgies and expressions of the Christian life

Universality of the Christian faith should be manifested in the openness of the 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

The Church is Apostolic

both in her origins in Christ and His Apostles. mission to spread Christ’s word and message,

ministry and service.

The Church is Apostolic in several basic ways: Christ grounded her (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 had formed the Apostles in a form of college or permanent assembly, over which He place Peter chosen from among them, as its head! (CFC, 1409)

“Feed my lambs” – Jn 21:15-17) 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 seen more as a challenge and as a task for every Christian community than as the exclusive property of the Church. The Church must continuously aspire to be ever more fully one, holy, catholic, and apostolic (Donovan, 151). These marks remain as challenges to all the churches.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ROOTED IN JESUS CHRIST

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)

Vatican II 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, And action of grace extends beyond the

Church’s institutional boundaries

However, 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

CELEBRATING OUR FAITH TOGETHER

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.

Thank you!