What is the Catholic Church, Anyway?

The Catholic Church, believers hold, has been in existence since Christ first spoke to one of his Apostles, Peter , and gave him authority over the rest of the small collection of Jewish followers. That would make the Church nearly 2000 years old. During those years the Church has expanded and developed from an instrument of salvation to an institution held together by an all male hierarchy that must constantly consider, not only how to save souls but how to keep itself afloat and in a sense "in business". It is perhaps this dichotomy of purposes that makes it difficult for Catholics themselves and for outsiders to be able to answer the continuing question - "What Is the Catholic Church, Anyway?"

Pope Benedict's Pronouncement On July 10, 2007 Pope Benedict XVI gave his approval to a pronouncement that some said was made to clarify misunderstandings among Catholics and non-Catholics regarding not only the nature of the Catholic Church but also the failings of other Christian Churches . In the pronouncement and in further explanatory statements regarding the original pronouncement, the Pope insisted upon the unique status of the Catholic Church as the "one true Church" the church through which those seeking salvation must clearly pass.

In some ways what Pope Benedict XVI said only reflects what the Church has long, and rather efficiently, taught in its catechetical offerings. The Church has four characteristics it is one, holy, catholic ( meaning universal) and apostolic. The Pope is claiming in a sense that it is only the Roman Catholic Church that fulfills these characteristics. This is another way of saying that the Roman Catholic Church is the only church with true pedigree. It is the only Church that can credibly link itself to Christ through the Apostles and the many Popes who have descended throughout nearly two thousand years connecting today to Pope Benedict XVI.