Father Cletus Bulletin Article

The Four Marks of the Church
– One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic [APOSTOLIC]

Last week, we reflected on the third mark of the Church, that is, that the Church is Catholic. Today, we turn to look at the fourth mark of the Church; that the Church is Apostolic. What do we mean when we say that the Church is Apostolic? The Church of Christ is Apostolic in three ways (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #857):

First, the Church is Apostolic because she was built on “the foundation of the Apostles.” Apostles, as we know, were witnesses chosen and sent by Christ Himself “to go and make disciples of all nations...” (Matt. 28:19). When talking to Peter who was the head of the Apostles, Jesus said: “...you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church...” (Matt. 16:18). The Church of Christ cannot be separated from the Apostles; for she was built on the foundation of them.

Second, the Church is Apostolic because she hands on the teaching of the Apostles. The Apostles received their teaching from Jesus Christ and handed it on to their successors, and it continues like that till this present day. Remember, in one of the Letters of Saint Paul, he said: “...I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you...” (1 Cor. 11:23). The teaching of Jesus Christ handed on to us by the Apostles is called the “deposit of faith” (It comes to us through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition). The Church of today is not different from the Church of the Apostles. We do what we received from them.

Third, the Church is Apostolic because she continues to be taught, sanctified, and guided by the successors of the Apostles, the Bishops, and the priests who assist them, all in union with the successor of Peter, the Pope. In the Catholic Church, we have what is called “Apostolic Succession.” This means that Catholic Bishops (and the Pope who is the Bishop of Rome) all over the world are part of the lineage that goes back to the Apostles. We have a direct link to the Apostles via Apostolic Succession.

Therefore, let us always feel at home in the Church of Christ built on the foundation of the Apostles. Let us have confidence in the teaching of the Church. And let us always make ourselves available to be sanctified by the Church of Christ: the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

Father Cletus Orji

Parochial Vicar