The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-10-02

ing of the end for which it exists
and if it be unimpeded and unob-
structed in it's operation, is infallibly
certain of realizing that end. The
Church is a perfect society.
That the Catholic Church was insti-
tuted by Jesus Christ, as visible and
indefectible society, will not be denied
by those who admit the existence,
lseither in the past or at present, of a
religious congregation founded by our
Lord for the salvation of men. The
l-Son- of God clearly indicated that He
intended such a religious society.
Again and again He likened His
| fold, a flock, all of which words
specifically signify a number of indi-
viduals, united in one community, for
a common end, as regulated by a
directing authority.
The church, as Christ founded it,
was a society of persons, seeking a
common end, and united by the bond
of authority, and it could not have
been such if it were not visible, it
could not continue to be such, if it
ceased to be visible. The Church is
visible society.
And this perfect, visible society,
founded by Christ, is to endure until
the end of time. We have the plighted
promise of Jesus Christ that He will
be with the Church, "all days, even
| IN oaki of fh0 -
This of itself is an irrefutable proof
that the Church is indefectible. To
assert the contrary would be to sup
pose, either that Christ did not
seriously intend to pledge His unceas-
! ing assistance, or that He, at some
later time, withdrew His promise,
without informing men of His resig-
nation as director of the Church.
Both suppositions are equally impos-
sible and blasphemous. Christ, Him
self, predicted that the Church would
never cease to exist, and Christ as
God, could not have deceived or been
deceived.
But apart from this promise of our
Lord, the very purpose of the Church
demands that it continue as long as
men inhabit this earth. The religious
society instituted by Jesus Christ, was
commissioned to preach the Gospel
to the whole world and to every crea-
4 ture in the world. This commission
has not been completely fulfilled in the
past, nor is it completely fulfilled
today. Christ charged His Church
with a mission which was to require
thousands of years for it's completion
1t was to be long, arduous task
suffering many reversals: at times
temporarily failing; even increasing
in difficulties as the years passed
! And today there are apparently
thousands of years of labor yet to be
done, before all nations and all men
will know and adore jesus Christ and
the Father who sent Him.
The perfect, visible, indefectible SO
ciety founded by our Lord, which we
call the Catholic Church, is defined
in the catechism as, "The congrega
ton of all those who profess the faith Of
Christ, partake of the same Sacra
ments, and are governed by their law
full pastors under one visible head.
From this definition we may deduce
what is required for membership in
the Church of Christ. First of all
one must receive faith by Baptism anG
the faith thus received must be
cherished and safeguarded. Second
one must be obedient and subject tt
the Gospel authority of the Church
Third, one must be in canonical com
munion with the Church: j. e., MOI
under the ban of accommodation
which temporarily puts one outside
the pale of the Church.
) The question naturally suggests it
!. self. Is it possible for one outside
{ the Catholic Church to be saved? Il
J is possible, but it is not so easy a:
+ some are inclined to make it. Two
/ conditions must be fulfilled: II. Tha
/ one has no means of knowing and rec
ognizing the true Church of Christ
In our day it is to be feared that many
seek a refuge in ignorance wher
) ignorance might be easily. dispelleC
by inquiry, study and prayer. 2. THAI
one shall not have offended God by
any grievous sin, or, we may add a;
implied, that having offended God
he shall have duly repented. He mus
have sorrow for his sin which ha:
, for it's motive the love of Cod
: A few moments reflection will con
vince us that these two conditions
are not easy of fulfilment today
Those outside the Church who have
! doubts regarding the truth of theil
religious belief, are bound under
pain of eternal loss, to inquire and tt
pray for Gods light and grace. In
, vincible ignorance alone will save
!. those outside the Church.