The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

UNITY OF THE CHURCH. 23between the true Church and false sects, which ourI ord predicted would arise, He was pleased tostamp upon His Church certain shining marks, bywhich every sincere inquirer could easily recognizeher as His only Spouse. The principal marks orcharacteristics of the true Church are, her Unity,Sanctity, Catholicity, and Apostolicity, 1 to whichmay be added the Infallibility of her teaching andthe Perpetuity of her existence.I shall treat successively of these marks.BYCHAPTER II.THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH.unityis meant that the members of the trueChurch must be united in the belief of the samedoctrines of revelation, and in the acknowledgmentof the authority of the same pastors. Heresy andschism are opposed to Christian unity. By heresy,a man rejects one or more articles of the Christianfaith.By schism, he spurns the authority of hisspiritual superiors.That our Saviour requires thisunity of faith and government in His members, isevident from various passages of Holy Writ. InHis admirable prayer immediately before His passion, He says I ":pray for them also who through1Symb. Constantinop.