When the Holy Father had his own possessions he could do much that he cannot now do for the conversion of pagan nations.  At present he must depend entirely upon the charitable offerings of the faithful for all good works, even for his own support.  The offering we make once a year for the support of the Holy Father is called “Peter’s pence,” because it began by everyone sending yearly a penny to the Pope, the successor of St. Peter.

126 Q. What do you mean by the indefectibility of the Church?  A. By the indefectibility of the Church I mean that the Church, as Christ founded it, will last till the end of time.

Therefore indefectibility means that the Church can never change any of the doctrines that Our Lord taught, nor ever cease to exist.  When we say it is infallible, we mean that it cannot teach error while it lasts; but when we say it is indefectible, we mean that it will last forever and be infallible forever, and also that it will always remain the same as Our Lord founded it.  There are two things that you must clearly understand and not confound, namely, the two kinds of laws in the Church—­those which Our Lord gave it and those which it made itself.  The laws that Our Lord gave it can never change.  For example, the Church could not abolish one of the Sacraments, leaving only six; neither could it add a new one, making eight.  But when, for example, the Church declares that on a certain day we cannot eat flesh meat, it makes the law itself, and can change it when it wishes.  Our Lord left His Church free to make certain laws, just as they would be needed.  It has always exercised this power, and made laws to suit the circumstances of the place or times.  Even now it does away with some of its old laws that are no longer useful, and makes new ones that are more necessary.  But the doctrines, the truths of faith or morals, the things we must believe and do to save our souls, it never changes and never can change:  it may regulate some things in the application of the divine laws, but the laws themselves can never change in substance.

127 Q. In whom are these attributes found in their fullness?  A. These attributes are found in their fullness in the Pope, the visible head of the Church, whose infallible authority to teach bishops, priests, and people in matters of faith or morals will last to the end of the world.

128 Q. Has the Church any marks by which it may be known?  A. The Church has four marks by which it may be known:  it is one; it is holy; it is catholic; it is apostolic.

129 Q. How is the Church one?  A. The Church is one because all its members agree in one faith, are all in one communion, and are all under one head.