Understanding this topic is the key to avoiding errors during the crisis in the Church today. Where is the Church, and Her Four Marks?
Let's see what traditional sources have said about this. Here is the CE on the subject:
https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01648b.htm(1) First,
the Catholic Encyclopedia: "Apostolicity is the mark by which the
Church of today is recognized as identical with the
Church founded by
Jesus Christ upon the
Apostles.
It is of great importance because it is the surest indication of the true Church of Christ, it is most easily examined, and it virtually contains the other three marks, namely, Unity, Sanctity, and
Catholicity."
Notice that the CE says Apostolicity "virtually contains the other three marks". Hence, if we find the Apostolic Church, we find the Church with Her Four Marks.
Next, the CE says Apostolicity requires Bishops with Jurisdiction, proving this from various Fathers and other authorities: "Billot (De Eccl. Christi, I, 243-275) emphasizes the
idea that the
Church, which is Apostolic, must be presided over by
bishops, who derive their ministry and their governing power from the
Apostles. Apostolicity, then, is that
Apostolic succession by which the
Church of today is one with the
Church of the Apostles in origin,
doctrine, and mission ...
jurisdiction is essential to the Apostolicity of mission"
Finally, the CE says the Catholic Church is manifestly Apostolic because (1) Of Her unbroken Succession from St. Peter the Apostle, and further, (2) is recognized as plainly Apostolic even by those who have left Her Communion.
"
The history of the Catholic Church from St. Peter, the first Pontiff, to the present Head of the Church, is an evident proof of its Apostolicity, for no break can be shown in the line of succession.
Cardinal Newman (Diff. of Anglicans, 369) says: "Say there is no church at all if you will, and at least I shall understand you; but do not meddle with a fact attested by
mankind ... Their appeal shows that the
Catholic Church is regarded as Apostolic even by those who have separated from her communion."
2. Second,
Brunsmann Preuss, Handbook of Fundamental Theology: “
In order to be able to distinguish with certainty the true Church of Christ from all false claimants, it is sufficient to establish the Apostolic Succession with regard to the primacy of Peter. For, since the primacy is the crown of the Apostolate, the Church which possesses the primacy must needs be Apostolic … Hence
that Church, and that Church only, which can trace its rulers to the first primate, namely, St. Peter, is in fact and by right Apostolic in every sense. Those
regional churches which are subject to the successor of St. Peter, and live in community with him,
participate in this Apostolicity.
All others, be it that they have separated from the one only Apostolic Church or developed independently of her,
lack the note of Apostolicity and consequently cannot be the true Church of Christ.” (Brunsmann Preuss, Handbook of Fundamental Theology, Vol III).
This detailed explanation from traditional theology is clear, concise and perfect. Applying it to our times, where is the Apostolic Church.
3. Finally, for those who want a
Catechism, here is that
of St. Anthony Mary Claret: St. Anthony Mary Claret: "The fourth note or mark of the Church is to be Apostolic. That is to say, it was founded by the Apostles and is governed by their successors, the bishops, who. since the Apostles, have succeeded without interruption.
And these bishops have a lawful mission to guard always, in their teaching and management of the Church, the unity of Faith and of communion with their head and center, the Roman Pontiff ... All of us know that the Apostles fulfilled the mission that Jesus Christ gave them. And
it is sufficient to read the list of the Catholic bishops, especially of the Supreme Pontiffs of Rome as the continuing Head or principal leader of Christianity - better said, of Catholicism - in order to see that.
[Pope Bl.] Pius IX, who by the mercy of God happily governs us, have succeeded Gregory XVI, and he Pius VIII.
And so, ascending from one to the other, we shall arrive at Saint Peter, who was made by Jesus Christ the Prince of the Apostles and His Vicar on earth.
If, then, any heretics come to you, my son, saying that their churches are also Apostolic, there is nothing more to say to them than what Tertullian said: "Prove the origin of your churches. Make us see that the order of your bishops has in some way through succession descended from the beginning, that the first was any of the Apostles, or had as a predecessor some of the Apostolic men who had persevered together with the Apostles."
Inasmuch as the heretical sects will never be able to show this, so it is that none of them can reasonably glory in being Apostolic. But on the other hand,
since the Catholic Church is the only one that is able to trace Her origin to the Apostles, it follows from what I have said that She alone is in all truth Apostolic."
Heretical sects, as St. Anthony Mary Claret says, will never be able to prove Apostolicity. Hence the Apostolicity of the Church itself also proves that She is not in heresy.
http://catholicvox.blogspot.com/2009/03/eens-saint-anthony-mary-claret-from.htmlAs the CE put it, "Apostolicity of mission is a guarantee of Apostolicity of
doctrine.
St. Irenæus (Adv. Haeres, IV, xxvi, n. 2) says: "Wherefore we must obey the
priests of the
Church who have succession from the Apostles, as we have shown, who, together with succession in the episcopate, have received the certain mark of
truth according to the will of the Father; all others, however, are to be suspected, who separated themselves from the principal succession"
Where do you believe the Apostolic Church is today? Where are Her Four Marks?