The Catholic always sees the Church in its relationship to Christ. It is not the Church as such that is the primary object of Catholic faith. The Catholic believes in Christ and in His Father and in the Holy Spirit. In the Creed, the Catholic professes his belief in “the holy catholic Church” precisely because he sees the Church as a presence of Christ and of His Spirit.

The Catholic believes what the Church teaches precisely because he recognizes Christ’s authority in the Church.

The Catholic recognizes a duty to further the work of the Church precisely because he sees the mission of the Church as a continuation of Christ’s work in the world.