Pope spells out the Church’s basic position

THERE has been a flurry over the new document from Rome upholding the teaching that Christ founded the Catholic Church.

Some people are dismayed that the document states: “According to Catholic doctrine, (Protestant) communities do not enjoy apostolic succession in the sacrament of orders, and ... therefore, (with no) sacramental priesthood, have not preserved the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic Mystery (and therefore) cannot, according to Catholic doctrine, be called ‘churches’ in the proper sense”.

Protestant commentators note that Christ — not the Pope — is the head of the church. The Catholic Church, however, has never taught that the Pope is the head of the church.

The catechism teaches that Christ is head of the church and the Pope is his vicar on Earth. This has always been the teaching.

The Catholic Church is the mystical body of Christ in a real sense. It is not a human arrangement. The visible part is the least of what it is. Membership is the ‘normal’ means of salvation.

Christ established a church, not churches, and told us to “make disciples of all nations”.

We can thank Pope Benedict for saying these things clearly.

Micheál Ó Fearghail

Sallybrook House

Glanmire

Co Cork