Q. 562.  How do we show that the Holy Scriptures alone could not be our guide to salvation and infallible rule of faith?  A. We show that the Holy Scripture alone could not be our guide to salvation and infallible rule of faith:  (1) Because all men cannot examine or understand the Holy Scripture; but all can listen to the teaching of the Church; (2) Because the New Testament or Christian part of the Scripture was not written at the beginning of the Church’s existence, and, therefore, could not have been used as the rule of faith by the first Christians; (3) Because there are many things in the Holy Scripture that cannot be understood without the explanation given by tradition, and hence those who take the Scripture alone for their rule of faith are constantly disputing about its meaning and what they are to believe.

Q. 563. {130} How is the Church Holy?  A. The Church is Holy because its founder, Jesus Christ, is holy; because it teaches a holy doctrine; invites all to a holy life; and because of the eminent holiness of so many thousands of its children.

Q. 564. {131} How is the Church Catholic or universal?  A. The Church is Catholic or universal because it subsists in all ages, teaches all nations, and maintains all truth.

Q. 565.  How do you show that the Catholic Church is universal in time, in place, and in doctrine?  A. (1) The Catholic Church is universal in time, for from the time of the Apostles to the present it has existed, taught and labored in every age; (2) It is universal in place, for it has taught throughout the whole world; (3) It is universal in doctrine, for it teaches the same everywhere, and its doctrines are suited to all classes of persons.  It has converted all the pagan nations that have ever been converted.

Q. 566.  Why does the Church use the Latin language instead of the national language of its children?  A. The Church uses the Latin language instead of the national language of its children:  (1) To avoid the danger of changing any part of its teaching in using different languages; (2) That all its rulers may be perfectly united and understood in their communications; (3) To show that the Church is not an institute of any particular nation, but the guide of all nations.

Q. 567. {132} How is the Church Apostolic?  A. The Church is Apostolic because it was founded by Christ on His Apostles, and is governed by their lawful successors, and because it has never ceased, and never will cease, to teach their doctrine.

Q. 568.  Does the Church, by defining certain truths, thereby make new doctrines?  A. The Church, by defining, that is, by proclaiming certain truths, articles of faith, does not make new doctrines, but simply teaches more clearly and with greater effort truths that have always been believed and held by the Church.

Q. 569.  What, then, is the use of defining or declaring a truth an article of faith if it has always been believed?  A. The use of defining or declaring a truth an article of faith, even when it has always been believed, is:  (1) To clearly contradict those who deny it and show their teaching false; (2) To remove all doubt about the exact teaching of the Church, and to put an end to all discussion about the truth defined.