Q. 501.  By what name is a bishop’s diocese sometimes called?  A. A bishop’s diocese is sometimes called his see.  The diocese of Rome, on account of its authority and dignity, is called the Holy See, and its bishop is called the Holy Father or Pope.  Pope means father.

Q. 502.  What do we call the right by which St. Peter or his successor has always been the head of the Church and of all its bishops?  A. We call the right by which St. Peter or his successor has always been the head of the Church, and of all its bishops, the Primacy of St. Peter or of the Pope.  Primacy means holding first place.

Q. 503.  How is it shown that St. Peter or his successor has always been the head of the Church?  A. It is shown that St. Peter or his successor has always been the head of the Church:  (1) From the words of Holy Scripture, which tell how Christ appointed Peter Chief of the Apostles and head of the Church. (2) From the history of the Church, which shows that Peter and his successors have always acted and have always been recognized as the head of the Church.

Q. 504.  How do we know that the rights and privileges bestowed on St. Peter were given also to his successors—­the Popes?  A. We know that the rights and privileges bestowed on St. Peter were given also to his successors, the Popes, because the promises made to St. Peter by Our Lord were to be fulfilled in the Church till the end of time, and as Peter was not to live till the end of time, they are fulfilled in his successors.

Q. 505.  Did St. Peter establish any Church before he came to Rome?  A. Before he came to Rome, St. Peter established a Church at Antioch and ruled over it for several years.

Q. 506. {119} Who are the successors of the other Apostles?  A. The successors of the other Apostles are the Bishops of the Holy Catholic Church.

Q. 507.  How do we know that the bishops of the Church are the successors of the Apostles?  A. We know that the bishops of the Church are the successors of the Apostles because they continue the work of the Apostles and give proof of the same authority.  They have always exercised the rights and powers that belonged to the Apostles in making laws for the Church, in consecrating bishops and ordaining priests.

Q. 508. {120} Why did Christ found the Church?  A. Christ founded the Church to teach, govern, sanctify, and save all men.

Q. 509. {121} Are all bound to belong to the Church?  A. All are bound to belong to the Church, and he who knows the Church to be the true Church and remains out of it cannot be saved.

Q. 510.  Is it ever possible for one to be saved who does not know the Catholic Church to be the true Church?  A. It is possible for one to be saved who does not know the Catholic Church to be the true Church, provided that person:  (1) has been validly baptized; (2) firmly believes the religion he professes and practices to be the true religion, and (3) dies without the guilt of mortal sin on his soul.