Introduction

COMPENDIUM

Every Christian who has been baptized into the true Faith of the Catholic Church has safe and sound guidance on all the problems of life in the example and teaching of Jesus Christ, who claimed to be not only the leader of men - "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) - but claimed and proved Himself to be the Son of God by His fulfillment of prophecies, by His miracles, and especially by His Resurrection. It follows from the Divinity of Jesus Christ that His teaching is the Word of God, and all His Doctrine is divine.

While Jesus Christ did not give us any definite program for guidance on social questions, He nonetheless gave us the guiding principles, or rules to follow regarding man's relations with other men and with God, by which alone these problems may be solved. These guiding principles are to be found in the teaching of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church which He established, and to which He gave His authority: "As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you." (John 20:21) "He that heareth you, heareth Me." (Luke 10:16) "Go ye and teach all nations ... Behold I am with you all days." (Matt. 28:19,20) This authority preserves the Catholic Church from erring in her teaching on questions of faith and morals, for Christ promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church (Matt. 16:18); and that He Himself would be with her all days, even to the end of the world. (Matt. 28:20)

While the Church was established for the saving of souls, she nonetheless concerns herself with social conditions and problems, because she must deal with man as he is - namely, a complex nature of body and soul - in his surroundings, and in all his relations in life, for he is not an isolated being, but is rather a member of a family and a community.

Catholics are bound to obey the Church on such questions as involve principles of faith or morals, because she is our infallible guide on these principles, and cannot lead us astray. Not only are all individuals bound to obey Christ and His Church on matters concerning faith or morals, but all civil corporations, governments, and states are likewise bound. The sanction which the Church holds for her teaching and commands on matters concerning faith and morals is the eternal sanction of Heaven or Hell: "It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this, the judgment." (Heb. 9:27)

CATECHISM

1. Has a Catholic any safe guide to social problems?

Every Catholic has safe and sound guidance on all the problems of life in the example and teaching of Jesus Christ.

2. Did Jesus Christ claim to be a social leader and teacher of men?

Jesus Christ claimed to be not only the leader of men, but He claimed and proved Himself to be the Son of God.

3. What follows from the fact that Jesus Christ was God?

From the Divinity of Jesus Christ follows that His teaching is the Word of God, and all His Doctrine is divine.

4. Did Jesus Christ give us any definite program for guidance on social questions?

Jesus Christ did not give us any cut-and-dry program of these problems, but He gave us the guiding principles by which alone these problems may be solved.

5. Where are to be found those guiding principles laid down by Jesus Christ?

These guiding principles are to be found in the teaching of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church which He established.

6. What authority does the Catholic Church claim for her teaching?

The Catholic Church claims the same authority as Jesus Christ had.

7. Can the Catholic Church err in what she teaches?

The Catholic Church cannot err in her teaching on questions of faith and morals.

8. Since the Church was established for the saving of souls, why should she concern herself with social conditions and problems?

Because she must deal with man as he is, the whole man, in his surroundings, and in all his relations of life.

9. Are Catholics bound to follow and obey the Church on all social questions?

Catholics are bound to obey the Church on such questions as involve principles of faith or morals, because she is our infallible guide on these principles.

10. Are all men bound to accept the teaching and obey the commands of Christ and His Church?

Not only are all individuals bound to obey Christ and His Church on matters concerning faith or morals, but all civil corporations, governments, and states are likewise bound.

11. What sanctions does Christ give to the teaching and commands of His Church?

The sanction which the Church holds for her teaching and commands on matters concerning faith and morals is the eternal sanction of Heaven or Hell.