Getting to Know the Family normie Getting to Know the Family St. Leo the Great 2016 RCIA Class

Setting the Bar High: Goals What is the Church Structure of the Church Role of the Church Hierarchy and its Role Q & A We are not likely to get through this but we will see how far we can get.

What is the Church It is the Church that believes first, and so bears, nourishes and sustains my faith. Everywhere, it is the Church that first confesses the Lord: "Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you", as we sing in the hymn "Te Deum"; with her and in her, we are won over and brought to confess: "I believe", "We believe". It is through the Church that we receive faith and new life in Christ by Baptism. In the Rituale Romanum, the minister of Baptism asks the catechumen: "What do you ask of God's Church?" And the answer is: "Faith." "What does faith offer you?" "Eternal life.“ CCC 168

What is the Church Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher) The Church is first and foremost a family Every family has its: Story: Sacred Scripture and Tradition Family rules: Canon Law Specific rituals: Liturgies Leaders: Clergy See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. (1 John 3:1)

Organization of the Church Need to understand: Universal Western and Eastern Rites Diocese Parish Home

Eastern Rites of the Church

Understanding How it Fits Together

The Western Church in the US

The US Church by the Numbers In the US, there are 195 dioceses/ archdioceses, one apostolic exarchate, and one personal ordinariate: 145 Latin Catholic dioceses 33 Latin Catholic archdioceses 15 Eastern Catholic dioceses (eparchies) 2 Eastern Catholic archdioceses (archeparchies) 1 apostolic exarchate (for the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church) 1 personal ordinariate (for former Anglicans who became Catholic)

Hierarchy of the Church (Latin Rite)

Church Ordained Leadership: Clergy Holy Orders provides for 3 degrees: Archbishop /Bishops Archbishop: Heads Archdiocese or Province Bishop: Heads a Diocese Priests Pastor: Heads a Parish and administers sacraments Parochical Vicar: Administers sacraments under the leadership of the Pastor Deacons (Transitional & Permanent) Transitional: Deacon preparing for Priestly ordination (Sacrifice) Permanent: Ordained for service

Church Ordained Leadership: Clergy Honorific Titles Cardinal (Usually Bishops) Chosen by Pope usually from among Bishops Primary duties: Papal Electors for the Bishop of Rome Additional duties as assigned by the Pope Monsignor (Priest) Honorific title for those priests who serve the Papal Household Honorific title recommended by a Bishop to the Pope for particular services of distinction

Authority of the Supreme Pontiff Titles for the Holy Father relates to those whom he serves: Vicar of Christ Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church Patriarch of the West (Renounced by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI) Primate of Italy Archbishop & Metropolitan of the Roman Province Sovereign of the Vatican City State Bishop of Rome Pastor of St. John Latern

US Church Leadership There are 454 active and retired Catholic bishops in the United States: 270 active bishops: 5 Cardinal Archbishops 28 Archbishops 155 Diocesan Bishops 74 Auxiliary Bishops 7 Apostolic or Diocesan Administrators

US Church Leadership (cont.) There are 454 active and retired Catholic bishops in the United States: 184 retired bishops: 11 retired Cardinal Archbishops 21 retired Archbishops 105 retired Diocesan Bishops 47 retired Auxiliary Bishops

Role of the Church As Teacher She guides us infallibly through faith and morals: Magisterium Extraordinary Ex Cathedra: Pope Ecumenical Councils: Bishops in union with the Pope defining doctrine Ordinary Bishops proposing definitively, dispersed, but in unison, in union with Pope Pope and Bishops in ordinary authoritative teaching

Role of the Church As Teacher Distinction between Doctrine and Discipline Doctrine Authoritative teaching that requires the full assent of faith Example: Trinity Discipline Those practices that are meant to protect doctrine or assist in developing virtue May be added, changed or dismissed when deemed necessary or no longer relevant Example: Meat on Fridays

Role of the Church As Teacher Infallibility (CCC 891) "The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals. . . . The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together with Peter's successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium," above all in an Ecumenical Council.

Role of the Church As Teacher Infallibility (CCC 2035) The supreme degree of participation in the authority of Christ is ensured by the charism of infallibility. This infallibility extends as far as does the deposit of divine Revelation; it also extends to all those elements of doctrine, including morals, without which the saving truths of the faith cannot be preserved, explained, or observed.

Role of the Church As Teacher Infallibility (CCC 891) "The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals. . . . The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together with Peter's successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium," above all in an Ecumenical Council.

Role of the Church As Teacher Infallibility (CCC 891) cont… When the Church through its supreme Magisterium proposes a doctrine "for belief as being divinely revealed," and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions "must be adhered to with the obedience of faith." This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself.

Role of the Church As Teacher Infallibility (CCC 2051) The infallibility of the Magisterium of the Pastors extends to all the elements of doctrine, including moral doctrine, without which the saving truths of the faith cannot be preserved, expounded, or observed.

Role of the Church As Teacher Infallibility is NOT Impeccability: Infallibility is concerned with the inerrancy of the Teaching Office of the Church Impeccability is concerned with the ability to commit sin The Pope is not sinless

Q & A

Getting to Know the Family normie Getting to Know the Family St. Leo the Great 2016 RCIA Class