Christ Himself is the source of the Church's authority. Christ founded the Church, created its structure, placed Peter at the head, gave it His own authority, identified it with Himself, promised to be with it forever, and sent His Spirit – the Holy Spirit – to guide it.

Admittedly, the Catholic Church makes an amazing claim: it teaches, governs, and sanctifies with the authority of Christ Himself.

he New Testament shows that Christ deliberately created His Church to be the vehicle of His continuing mission in the world. To ensure the success of this mission, Christ gave His Church the ability to teach, govern and sanctify with Christ's own authority.

The Apostles appointed successors to ensure that the Gospel would continue to be handed on faithfully as "the lasting source of all life for the Church" (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium 20; also Catechism #860).

The source and guarantee of this Church authority is Christ's continuing presence in His Church — "Behold, I am with you always, to the end of time" (Mt 28:20). The purpose of this authority is to give the Church the ability to teach without error about the essentials of salvation: "On this rock, I will build My Church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it" (Mt 16:18).

The scope of this authority concerns the official teachings of the Church on matters of faith, morals, and worship (liturgy and Sacraments). We believe that, because of Christ's continued presence and guarantee, His Church cannot lead people astray with its official teachings (which are distinct from the individual failings and opinions of its members, priests, bishops and popes).