Who is the Church to tell me what’s right and what’s wrong?

The Catholic Church was established by Jesus Christ as the means to continue his mission in the world. The Church is like a sacrament, “a sign and instrument, that is, of communion with God and of unity among all men.” (CCC, 775) Therefore, the Church is “the instrument for the salvation of all,” “the universal sacrament of salvation.” (CCC, 776)

This means Jesus gives the Church the responsibility to bring the whole world to God through the Holy Spirit. Thus, the Church follows Jesus’ teachings and shares them with the world. So, when the Church teaches about right and wrong, it is Jesus teaching about right and wrong. The Church is the Body of Christ.

The Church has the assurance that she is following Jesus correctly because Jesus said so: “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mt. 16:18-19) Jesus also gave his power to the apostles on the night that he rose from the dead: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you. … Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (Jn 20:21-22)

Read more about the Church in God’s plan in the Catechism, paragraphs 751-780.

Know your faith. Live your faith. Teach your faith.