Octave Day of the Ascension

Baltimore track

Baltimore Catechism No. 3

Lesson 12 — On the Attributes and Marks of the Church

Q. 541.How was the temporal power useful to the Church?

A.The temporal power was useful to the Church (1) because it gave the Pope the complete independence necessary for the government of the Church and for the defense of truth and virtue. (2) It enabled him to do much for the spread of the true religion by giving alms for the establishment and support of Churches and schools in poor or pagan countries.

Q. 542.What name do we give to the offerings made yearly by the faithful for the support of the Pope and the government of the Church?

A.We call the offerings made yearly by the faithful for the support of the Pope and government of the Church "Peter's pence." It derives its name from the early custom of sending yearly a penny from every house to the successor of St. Peter, as a mark of respect or as an alms for some charity.

Q. 543.What do you mean by the indefectibility of the Church?

A.By the indefectibility of the Church I mean that the Church, as Christ founded it, will last till the end of time.

Q. 544.What is the difference between the infallibility and indefectibility of the Church?

A.When we say the Church is infallible we mean that it can never teach error while it lasts; but when we say the Church is indefectible, we mean that it will last forever and be infallible forever; that it will always remain as Our Lord founded it and never change the doctrines He taught.