The Attributes and Marks of the Church

The attributes of the Church is three: authority, infallibility and indefectibility By the authority of Church I mean the right and power which the Pope and the Bishops, as the successor of the Apostles have to reach and govern the faithful By the infallibility of the Church I mean the Church cannot err when it teaches a doctrine of faith and morals By the indefectibility of the Church I mean that the Church as Christ founded it, will last till the end of time These attributes are found in their fullness in the Pope, visible head of the Church, whose infallible authority to teach bishops, priests, and people in matters of faith and morals will last till the end of the world The Church has 4 marks by which it may be known, it is One, it is Holy, it is Catholic, it is Apostolic The Church is One because all its members agree in one faith, are all in one communion, and are all under one Head The Church is Holy because it’s under Jesus Christ, is holy; because of the eminent holiness of so many thousands of its children The Church is Catholic or Universal because it subsists in all ages, teaches all nations, and maintains all truth The Church is Apostolic because it was founded by Christ on His Apostles and is govern by their lawful successors, and because it has never ceased, and never will cease, to teach their doctrine These attributes and marks are found in the Holy Roman Catholic Church alone The Church derives to its undying and infallible authority from the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth, who abides with it forever The Church is kept One, Holy Catholic by the Holy Spirit, the spirit of love and holiness, who unites and sanctifies its members throughout the world.