The 15 Marks of The Church

Aggie Catholics ^ | 5/13/2010

[markomalley]

Traditionally, there are 4 "Marks" of the Church. These 4 marks tell us about the character and nature of what the Church is. The Catechism describes them in this way:

811 "This is the sole Church of Christ, which in the Creed we profess to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic." These four characteristics, inseparably linked with each other, indicate essential features of the Church and her mission. The Church does not possess them of herself; it is Christ who, through the Holy Spirit, makes his Church one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, and it is he who calls her to realize each of these qualities.

So, the four marks are:

• One - Christ founded only one Church, which subsists within the Catholic Church.
• Holy - Because she is wedded to Christ, the Church is Holy.
• Catholic - The Church is universal.
• Apostolic - The Church is founded upon, and comes from, the Apostles.

Yet, there are more "marks" that St. Robert Bellarmine came up with. He lived from 1542 - 1621 and he was a Cardinal, Bishop, and later made a Doctor of the Church. He lived during the time of many of the Protestant Reformers and thus, he was battling against some of the false understandings of the Church by coming up with these additional "marks".

Here are St. Robert Bellarmine's 15 Marks of the Church:

1. Catholicity - the Church's name, Catholic, universal, and worldwide, and not confined to any particular nation or people
2. Antiquity  - in tracing her ancestry directly to Jesus Christ
3. Duration  - constant duration in lasting substantially unchanged for so many centuries
4. Extensiveness - extensiveness in the number of her loyal members

5. Episcopal Succession - episcopal succession of her bishops from the first Apostles at the Last Supper to the present hierarchy
6. Doctrinal Agreement - doctrinal agreement of her doctrine with the teaching of the ancient Church
7. Unity - union of her members among themselves and with their visible head the Roman Pontiff;
8. Holiness - holiness of doctrine in reflecting the sanctity of God
9. Efficacy - efficacy of doctrine in its power to sanctify believers and inspire t hem to great moral achievement

10. Holiness of Life - holiness of life of the Church's representative writers and defenders
11. Glory of Miracles - the glory of miracles worked in the Church and under the Church's auspices
12. Prophetic - the gift of prophecy found among the Church's saints and spokesmen
13. Opposition that the Church - the opposition that the Church arouses among those who attack her on the very grounds that Christ was opposed by his enemies
14. Unhappy End - the unhappy end of those who fight against her

15. Temporal Peace and Earthly Happiness - the temporal peace and earthly happiness of those who live by the Church's teaching and defend her interests

[Paved Paradise]

I think your last paragraph was so important. I also agree completely. God even warns us about this. “To whom much is given, much is required.”

Those who hold positions of power or honor (such as judges, police, teachers, those who govern) are going to be held to a very high standard by our Lord. He is the one who allowed them to reach such a lofty height in the first place.

Yet, Mark, you seem to think when I talk about apples from apple trees that I expect people to be Saints ala Mother Theresa or the many who devote their lives to the mission field, etc. Not my point at all.

I recognize that we are all sinners and that until we are new creations, we will daily have to fight against the flesh, the world, and the Devil. However, I am talking about people who make it a habit of attending Mass, Worship, etc. but also make a regular habit daily of lying, cheating, and so on. It’s almost like the Godfather syndrome. The guy is running drugs, gambling, etc. and ordering hits on other people, yet he goes to Communion.

Please think about this. We are all sinners in need of a savior.

What I want you to do is show me how you are going to make apple pie from the tree that has just produced a bunch of pears (and rotten pears, to boot).

[Paved Paradise]

And one more thing, Mark, I am making my comments coming from the position as a very humble sinner who was saved by our Lord, Jesus Christ, even without any religious training as a child. I also say these things as someone who dearly loves my brothers and sisters in Christ, whether they are Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, and on and on. I even have saved Jewish brothers and sisters in Christ. I have a very high regard for the Catholic Church and her teaching. I also know that the Catholic Church and those going about the business of the church are under constant attack. Yes, Jesus and His Church will prevail. Come Lord Jesus, Come.

[markomalley]

Yet, Mark, you seem to think when I talk about apples from apple trees that I expect people to be Saints ala Mother Theresa or the many who devote their lives to the mission field, etc. Not my point at all.

No, that's not it.

The point is that the same teachings that regrettably produce an Andrew Cuomo or Nancy Pelosi also produce great saints. Sometimes, as the case with Bl. Charles de Foucauld, they experience a tremendous conversion process (that's why I suggested you look him up...)

Please think about this. We are all sinners in need of a savior.

Undoubtedly. The theory of being able to save oneself was condemned as a heresy back in the 400s (it's called Pelagianism). Nothing has changed that. We are all saved by the grace of God.

What I want you to do is show me how you are going to make apple pie from the tree that has just produced a bunch of pears (and rotten pears, to boot).

Again, as I said above, the same "tree" that has produced rotten pears has also produced tremendous fruit, to use your illustration. Perhaps the individuals who turned out rotten were not as fully grafted into that tree as they could have been.

[Paved Paradise]

ha ha, oh Mark. You are too much. I really enjoy talking with you, dear Brother.

[markomalley]

ha ha, oh Mark. You are too much. I really enjoy talking with you, dear Brother.

I always enjoy a good conversation (iron sharpening iron)