“Since all the faithful form one body, the good of each is communicated to the others. . . . We must therefore believe that there exists a communion of goods in the Church. But the most important member is Christ, since he is the head. . . . Therefore, the riches of Christ are communicated to all the members, through the sacraments.” “As this Church is governed by one and the same Spirit, all the goods she has received necessarily become a common fund.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 947
Question: Why doesn’t the Roman Catechism doesn’t mention the Church Penitent (Latin: Ecclesia poenitens and also called the Church Suffering) in Article IX?
Answer: While it does mention the ‘Church Triumphant and the Church Militant, we don’t know why it doesn’t include the Church Penitent as a part of the Church, however, the Council of Trent did issue a Decree on Purgatory which affirms and describes Purgatory. In addition, the Catechism of the Catholic Church does include Purgatory as one of three states of the Church. See CCC 954-959.
An overview of the word ἐκκλησία (ekklésia), often translated as “church” in the New Testament.
The sources of the English word, “church”, from Webster’s 3rd New International Dictionary:
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