Questions and Answers

84. Why must divine Revelation be transmitted to all? (CCC 74) Divine Revelation must be transmitted to all, because God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
85. Where does Scripture indicate that God wants all men to know His Revelation? (CCC 74) Scripture indicates in 1 Tim 2:4 that God wants all men to know His Revelation.
86. How did the Apostolic Tradition begin and continue? (CCC 75-79) The Apostolic Tradition began with the preaching of the apostles and continues in the apostolic succession (bishops).
87. In which two ways was the Gospel handed on by the apostles? (CCC 76) The Gospel was handed on by the apostles both orally and in writing.
Orally” (literally: by word of mouth) includes preaching, example and the establishment of institutions. “In writing” means through the composition of texts.
88. Why did the apostles leave bishops as their successors? (CCC 77) The apostles left bishops as their successors so that the Gospel might be preserved in its entirety by the Church until the Second Coming of Christ.
89. What is Tradition? (CCC 78) Tradition is all that the Church is and believes handed on by the apostles and their successors the bishops until the end of time.
Tradition comes from Latin trádere which means “to hand on”.
90. Where does Vatican II explain the relationship between Tradition and Scripture? (CCC 80) Vatican II explains the relationship between Tradition and Scripture in Dei Verbum 9.
Dei Verbum is a Vatican II document, the dogmatic Constitution on divine Revelation.
91. How are Tradition and Scripture bound closely together according to Dei Verbum 9? (CCC 80) According to Dei Verbum 9, Tradition and Scripture are bound closely together as both of them flow from the same divine well-spring and move toward the same goal.
92. How are Scripture and Tradition two distinct modes of transmission of Revelation? (CCC 81-82) Scripture and Tradition are two distinct modes of transmission of Revelation, inasmuch as:
1. in Scripture: the speech of God is handed over under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
2. in Tradition: the whole Revelation entrusted to the apostles is handed on.
Here the CCC uses “Word of God” in the sense of “Revelation” which is the self-communication of God to men.
93. What are ecclesial traditions? (CCC 83) Ecclesial traditions are particular changeable forms, adapted to different places and times, in which the Tradition is expressed.
Tradition is all that the Church is and believes handed on by the apostles and their successors until the end of time.
94. To whom has the interpretation of the heritage of Faith been entrusted? (CCC 85) The interpretation of the heritage of Faith has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the pope.
95. What is the heritage of Faith? (CCC 84) The heritage of Faith is the “sacred deposit” of the Faith contained in Scripture and Tradition.
The deposit of Faith (Latin: depósitum fídei) is the whole of Scripture and Tradition which the apostles entrusted to the Church.
96. What is the Magisterium of the Church? (CCC 85) The Magisterium of the Church is her teaching office.
97. What is the task of the Magisterium of the Church? (CCC 85) The task of the Magisterium of the Church is to give an authentic interpretation of Scripture and Tradition.
Authentic” means: authoritative, reliable, true, valid.
98. In whose name does the Magisterium of the Church teach? (CCC 85) The Magisterium of the Church teaches in the name of Jesus Christ.
99. Who forms the Magisterium of the Church? (CCC 85) The bishops in communion with the pope form the Magisterium of the Church.
100. Is the Magisterium superior to the Word of God? (CCC 86) No, the Magisterium is the servant of the Word of God, not superior to it.
Word of God means here according to Dei Verbum 10 the sacred Tradition and the sacred Scripture.
101. With what attitude must the faithful receive the teachings and directives of their pastors? (CCC 87) The faithful must receive the teachings and directives of their pastors with docility.
102. When does the Church’s Magisterium exercise its authority to the fullest extent? (CCC 88) The Church’s Magisterium exercises its authority to the fullest extent when it defines a dogma.
103. What is a dogma? (CCC 88) A dogma is a truth proposed by the Church’s Magisterium in a form obliging the believers to an irrevocable adherence of Faith.
A dogma must be contained in divine Revelation or have a necessary connection with it.
104. What is the “hierarchy of truth”, present in Catholic doctrine? (CCC 90) The “hierarchy of truth” is the order or relationship that exists between the truths of Catholic doctrine.
Hierarchy of truth” does not mean that some truths of Faith are less true than others or that some are essential and others not.
105. What is the “sense of Faith”? (CCC 92) The “sense of Faith” is the supernatural appreciation of Faith by the faithful as a whole.
The “sense of Faith” (Latin: sénsus fídei) guarantees that the faithful infallibly assent to the message of Faith (Latin: infallibílitas in credéndo).
106. How is the inerrancy of the whole body of the faithful in matters of belief visible? (CCC 92) The inerrancy of the whole body of the faithful in matters of belief is visible when all, from the bishops to the last of the faithful, show a universal consent in matters of Faith and morals.
107. In which three ways does the Church’s understanding of the Faith grow? (CCC 94) The three ways in which the Church’s understanding of the Faith grows are:
1. study (theology),
2. spiritual life (sanctity) and
3. the preaching of the bishops (Magisterium).