Why is the Church called "she/her"?

[power]

Why is the Church sometimes referred to as “she” or “her”?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

One of the images used to understand the nature of the Church is “the bride of Christ.” For that reason, Catholics sometimes refer to the Bride of Christ (the Church) as “she” or “her.” Another image of the Church is “the mystical body of Christ.” In that sense, it is also appropriate to refer to the Church as “it.”