The Credo

The word credo means “I believe.”

The ancient Apostles’ and Nicene creeds are called “‘professions of faith’ since they summarize the faith that Christians profess” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 187).

“I believe” (Apostles’ Creed) is the faith of the Church professed personally by each believer, principally during baptism. “We believe” (Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed) is the faith of the Church confessed by the bishops assembled in council or more generally by the liturgical assembly of believers. “I believe” is also the Church, our mother, responding to God by faith as she teaches us to say both “I believe” and “We believe” (CCC, No. 167).

Read both creeds by clicking the links at right.