THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Just what is the Catholic Church?
The Catholic Church consists of all those who are baptized, and who have not departed by giving the appearance of apostasy, heresy or schism.
Saint Augustine says: Baptism is the privilege of the true Church, and so the benefits which flow from Baptism are necessarily fruits which belong only to the true Church. Children baptized in other communions cease to be members of the Church only when, after reaching the age of reason, they make formal profession of heresy, as, for example, by receiving communion in a non-catholic church.
It is strongly recommended that all read Mystici Corporis Christi.
Under Construction
Pope Pius XII in Mystici Corporis Christi, paragraph 22 stated: Actually only those are to be included as members of the Church who have been baptized and profess the true faith, and who have not been so unfortunate as to separate themselves from the unity of the Body, or been excluded by legitimate authority for grave faults committed.
He who deserts the Church will vainly believe that he is in the Church; Saint Cyprian (quoted in Amantissimus by Pope Pius IX, paragraph 3):
