Lesson ~ The Church and Moral Teaching

The Church believes that God has given it the authority to teach the truth. The Church is the
continuation in history of the mission of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Even though the Church
sometimes does not live up to its responsibilities, it is the agent who makes it possible to
understand and encounter Jesus today.

In the Holy Spirit, the Church continues the work of gathering and building communion in
the world through acts of love, outreach, preaching and the sacraments.

The Church takes very seriously its task to pass on what Jesus taught. This care is not only
in preserving doctrine, but also in guiding moral life. This is outlined in three ways;

1. The Church shapes moral character

2. The Church guards and maintains moral tradition

3. The Church is a community of moral deliberation