The Church dispenses God's mystery

By RAMON GONZALEZ
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

The Church is a visible organization through which Christ conveys truth and grace to all men, Andr‚ Villeneuve said at ScriptureFest 2006.

"The Church is the pillar and foundation of truth and dispenser of God's mystery," he said. "The pope and the bishops are teachers endowed with Christ's authority to preach the faith to God's people. The charism of infallibility guarantees the truth of the Church's teaching regarding faith and morals."

In his lecture Salvation History Today, Villeneuve quoted heavily from Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which he urged his audience to study.

"The Church Christ founded subsists in the Catholic Church," the scholar said. "Only in the Catholic Church can the fullness of salvation be obtained."

Villeneuve said the most certain way to heaven is repentance. But he reminded his audience that Jesus' compassion is the same today as it was yesterday and tomorrow. "God is a truly compassionate God; he is not just out there in the clouds."

Villeneuve urged his audience to believe the faith of the Church and to read the catechism daily. He also urged them to celebrate their faith in the liturgy and sacraments by at least attending Sunday Mass and frequent Confession.

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