Jesus gave to Peter and the Church the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Mt 16:19). This authority is so awesome that whatever the Church and Peter's successors "declare bound on earth shall be bound in heaven" (Mt 16:19); whatever they "declare loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Mt 16:19). The Church is the body of Christ. No organization or group in heaven has a dignity and authority remotely close to that of the Church. The Church will judge the world and judge even angels (1 Cor 6:2, 3). It is better for us to suffer injustice and deprivation if that's what it takes to avoid unintentionally casting aspersions on the Church (1 Cor 6:7). Christ loved the Church and gave up His life for her (Eph 5:25). We as Christ's disciples must do the same.

We can love the Church by:

• being the holiest we can be,
• praying for leaders and members of the Church daily,
• centering our lives on the Church's liturgical life,
• evangelizing and inviting others to Jesus and to His Church,
• never gossiping about members of the Church,
• living the Church's sacramental life deeply,
• supporting the plans of the bishop of our diocese,
• working in our parishes as much as the Lord allows,
• contributing most generously to the Church,
• encouraging the acceptance of vocations to the priesthood, religious life, diaconate, and lay ministry,
• making our homes domestic churches, and
• starting or joining Christian communities.

Love the Church so loved and exalted by Jesus.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard L. Klug, January 16, 2004

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 26, 2004