Summary of the Dogmatic Constitution on The Church:
Lumen Gentium
This document is about the Church, its structure and its hierarchy. The fact that it is a dogmatic constitution means that whatever is taught in the document is binding on all the faithful to accept and believe. A dogma is a truth about faith and morals, revealed by God, handed down through the Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, and infallibly taught by the Church and is binding on all the faithful to accept and believe.
Chapter 1: On the Mystery of the Church: the Church is Christ’s body and as such through this document, she wishes to unfold the mysteries of Christ to the faithful and the whole world, in order to unite all mankind in Christ and foster God’s kingdom on earth. Through the power of the Holy Spirit bestowed at Pentecost, the Church has never failed to carry out this mission.
- When the Mass is celebrated, Christ’s work of redemption is continued; and the Eucharist brings about and expresses the union of all believers. Thus, all men are called to union in Christ.
- The Church is therefore seen as the people of God made one in the unity of the Trinity because the work of redemption which is reenacted at Mass, is the action of the Trinity, since the Christ did not redeem man without the Father and the Spirit.
- The Church is also seen as the flock of Christ who is its Shepherd. It is also called the building or house of God. The Church is also referred to as our Mother after the model of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the faithful are the children.
- By Christ’s death and resurrection, he made man a new creation and made it possible for us to be united to him through the sacraments. So, through the sacraments we become one body, one spirit in Christ.
- As members of Christ’s body, we all have our different roles to play in building up the body of Christ the head. Thus, Christ distributes his gifts of ministries among members of this body so that we can help each other attain salvation.
- The Church has both human and divine elements which are not separate realities, but interconnected because the human is at the service of the divine in the building up of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church; following the example of Christ in humility and sacrifice.
- The Church is also made up of saints and sinners, and so she always strives towards purity through penance and renewal.