Who is the Church?

[Crimson_Silence]

The school is responsible for the children because they are minors. Most of us are adults, so in that sense we would be closer to a university.

But universities are known for abusing its students. Are you saying the Church abuses the laity?

 

[Filii_Dei]

But if the body of Christ are the followers, then wouldn’t that give the followers the opportunity of being persona Christi; regardless of priesthood or not?

Yes and no. By metaphorically being part of the body of Christ, we also called to act in the person of Christ metaphorically, and we do that by living out his teachings and Gospel in our daily lives. It does not make us literal bits and pieces of Christ with the literal powers that He has.

Further to that, priests act in persona Christi not by virtue of being part of the body of Christ, but because they have been given that power by God through the sacrament of Holy Orders.

 

[Crimson_Silence]

Yes and no. In the same way we are metaphorically part of the body of Christ, we also metaphorically act in the person of Christ, and we do that by living out his teachings and Gospel in our daily gives. It does not make us literal bits and pieces of Christ with the literal powers that He has. Further to that, priests act in persona Christi not by virtue of being part of the body of Christ, but because they have been given that power by God through the sacrament of Holy Orders.

So ONLY through holy orders is someone a priest? And those without; BUT still capable; excluding women and the incapable, of being priests, are the laity?

I’m starting to somewhat understand…after a while of fighting it out.

Ok ok. Let’s see if it’s like this:

The Body of Christ. Which is the Church; ergo Bride.

Christ is the head. Here -------------------------> Head
Then there’s the neck which goes here ----> Neck (Showing the connection; clearly)
And then here’s the body ------------------------> Body (The body is composed of the laity)

Are the priests the arms or feet? Or is that the religious orders?
And what about the Bishops? Cardinals and the Pope?

Okay. Here’s what I’ve managed to conclude:
The laity are the followers of Christ; ergo Christians. Upon Baptism receive the mark of entry into the Catholic Church. This Baptism therefore receives its CONFIRMATION of faith after the child is old enough to decide for himself. This act of faith places him into the body of Christ which is structured thusly.

Pope
Cardinals
Bishops
Priests
Deacons
Laity

The laity is therefore the body because the organs (i.e. the clergy) serve it. Is this a better understanding?

 

[Filii_Dei]

So ONLY through holy orders is someone a priest? And those without; BUT still capable; excluding women and the incapable, of being priests, are the laity?

That is correct. Additionally, some would categorise the religious orders as not being of the laity even if they are not ordained, because their religious vows attest to their special state of life. However, the rest of us - who do not have Holy Orders or belong to a religious community - are certainly laity.

I’m starting to somewhat understand…after a while of fighting it out.

Ok ok. Let’s see if it’s like this:

The Body of Christ. Which is the Church; ergo Bride.

Christ is the head. Here -------------------------> Head
Then there’s the neck which goes here ----> Neck (Showing the connection; clearly)
And then here’s the body ------------------------> Body (The body is composed of the laity)

Are the priests the arms or feet? Or is that the religious orders?
And what about the Bishops? Cardinals and the Pope?

You’re almost there. We all are part of the Body of Christ - laity, priest, bishop, religious or Pope. No one person or group are exclusively His arms and feet. This is because all of us are called to be His arms and feet, by acting and performing as Christ has taught us to and to live out His teachings in our lives.

Okay. Here’s what I’ve managed to conclude:
The laity are the followers of Christ; ergo Christians. Upon Baptism receive the mark of entry into the Catholic Church. This Baptism therefore receives its CONFIRMATION of faith after the child is old enough to decide for himself. This act of faith places him into the body of Christ which is structured thusly.

Perfect! Except for one bit: One does not wait for Confirmation to become part of the body of Christ. Baptism is what brings us into the body of Christ because the Church is the body of Christ.

Pope
Cardinals
Bishops
Priests
Deacons
Laity

Almost right again! In addition, there are the religious orders, who have autonomy from the bishops, answer directly to the Pope, and work directly with the laity.

 

[Crimson_Silence]

That is correct. Additionally, some would categorise the religious orders as not being of the laity even if they are not ordained, because their religious vows attest to their special state of life. However, the rest of us - who do not have Holy Orders or belong to a religious community - are laity.

You’re almost there. We all are part of the Body of Christ - laity, priest, bishop, religious or Pope. No one person or group are exclusively His arms and feet. This is because all of us are called to be His arms and feet, by acting and performing as Christ has taught us to and to live out His teachings in our lives.

Uhhhh…what? What am I missing?

Since when is the laity the arms and feet?

 

[Filii_Dei]

Uhhhh…what? What am I missing?

Since when is the laity the arms and feet?

We’re not specifically the arms and feet. We are all just part of the body of Christ. However, in performing acts that emulate Christ’s teachings, we are in that sense acting as though we were His ‘arms and feet’, by acting in Christ’s name, as Christ would. Any of us can be the arms and feet. It doesn’t have to be only the laity. The clergy or religious can do so as well.

Do note that these are merely analogies. Being part of the body of Christ or His arms or feet are analogies used to express how we are all united with Christ and act in His name. It does not allocate specific roles in the sense that one specific person is Christ’s hair, another His fingernail, and yet another His skin.

 

[Crimson_Silence]

We’re not specifically the arms and feet. We are all just part of the body of Christ. However, in performing acts that emulate Christ’s teachings, we are in that sense acting as though we were His ‘arms and feet’, by acting in Christ’s name, as Christ would. Any of us can be the arms and feet. It doesn’t have to be only the laity. The clergy or religious can do so as well.

Do note that these are merely analogies. Being part of the body of Christ or His arms or feet are analogies used to express how we are all united with Christ and act in His name. It does not allocate specific roles in the sense that one specific person is Christ’s hair, another His fingernail, and yet another His skin.

A little shaky, but I think I’m starting to understand. This thread is over at this point. Thanks for your help.

 

[Filii_Dei]

A little shaky, but I think I’m starting to understand. This thread is over at this point. Thanks for your help.

I’m glad I could be of assistance. Do take your time to process it. If there is need of further help, do PM me.

 

[Brendan_64]

Good luck, and best wishes.