Joshua Bennett
Catholicism is a Christian religion whose adherents are united under the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, and believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is based in the Vatican City, a small independent country within Rome, Italy. Catholics believe in the Bible as the inspired word of God, and that the Gospel was originally preached by those who knew Christ or his Apostles. The Apostles passed down their teachings to bishops, who continue to spread the word of God. Catholics are required to live a Christian life, pray daily, participate in the sacraments, obey the moral law, and accept the teachings of the Church. The Ten Commandments are considered divine law, and the Church believes that they are commandments for protection. Catholics also believe in the forgiveness of sins, and practice confession, where a penitent confesses their sins to a priest and receives forgiveness from God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of Catholic | Greek word meaning "universal" |
| Catholic Church | Based in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy |
| Leader | Pope, the Bishop of Rome |
| Bible | Inspired word of God |
| Saints | Holy men and women who pray for us and aid us |
| Sacraments | Baptism, Holy Communion, Mass, Reconciliation (confession) |
| Liturgy | Form of worship commemorating an important event |
| Ten Commandments | Divine law, or divine positive law |
| Sign of the Cross | A sacramental, a sacred sign |
| Membership | If you were baptised into the Catholic Church, you're always a Catholic |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics believe the Bible is the inspired word of God
Catholicism, derived from the Greek word "katholikos", which means "universal", is a way of expressing how diverse people, churches, and traditions unite under a single Church and share the same beliefs. Catholics believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. From the beginning of Christianity, the Catholic Church has defined the canon of Scripture, which refers to the books found in every Christian Bible, and defined what it meant to be a follower of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church has preserved the Bible, along with many other written works, over the centuries through its monasteries and libraries.
The Gospel was preached by those who knew Christ or his Apostles in the early Church. The Apostles passed on their preaching and writing to all generations through bishops, who continue to preach the truth revealed in the Gospel. This oral transmission of the Word of God is called tradition, which is distinct from Scripture but closely related to it. Tradition permeates the Church's entire life and, together with Scripture, constitutes the deposit of the Word of God.
The belief in the sacred character of specific books is as ancient as Hebrew literature. Moses and the Prophets committed a portion of the message they received from God for Israel to writing. The "naby" (prophet) was regarded as the authorised interpreter of Yahweh's thoughts and wishes by the Hebrews, whether speaking or writing. He was also referred to as "the man of God" and "the man of the Spirit" (Osee, ix, 7).
The theologian has three sources of information for determining the nature of Biblical inspiration: the data of tradition, the concept of inspiration, and the concrete state of the inspired text. God is the author of Scripture, the inspired writer is the Holy Ghost's instrument, and Scripture is the Word of God, according to positive theology.
The Bible is a series of 73 books written by various authors at various periods in history and is regarded as inspired by God. God revealed theological and moral truths through these writings, but they are still a product of their time. Each Bible author welcomed the Holy Spirit into their heart, and the Holy Spirit brought out the best in each person and ensured that it was accurately recorded. The Bible is the infallible Word of God, but it also has a human dimension. Even the words, forms of expression, and literary styles were chosen by God to communicate His intended meaning.
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Catholics believe saints pray for us and aid us
Catholics believe that saints pray for them and aid them. Saints are holy men and women who have passed on but continue to be a part of the communion of saints, which is a fundamental belief in Catholic theology that recognizes the interconnectedness of all members of the Church, whether they are living on Earth, in purgatory, or in heaven. When Catholics pray to saints, they are asking for their prayers and intercession on their behalf. This is similar to asking a friend or family member to pray for you during a difficult time. Catholics believe that saints can empathize with their struggles and inspire them in their spiritual journeys.
The veneration of saints has been a part of Catholicism for centuries, dating back to the early Church. The recognition of saints, their feast days, and the construction of churches and shrines in their honor are all rooted in a deep historical tradition. This tradition provides a sense of continuity and connection with the Church's historical roots, enhancing the spiritual experience for Catholics.
The Bible provides evidence that supports the Catholic belief in asking saints to pray for them. For example, in Revelation 5:8, John depicts the saints in heaven offering prayers to God in the form of "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." This indicates that the saints in heaven are aware of the prayers of those on Earth and are presenting them to God.
Catholics also believe that saints in heaven are fully "filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19) and "the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). They are free from the distractions of earthly life and have even greater confidence and devotion to God. By praying to saints, Catholics can benefit from their faith, devotion, and closeness to God.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ, holds a unique and revered position among all the saints. The dogma of the Immaculate Conception states that Mary was preserved from original sin and lived a life without sin, making her a pure and holy vessel chosen by God to bring His Son into the world. Catholics believe that Mary's prayers aided the beginnings of the Church, and her role as Mother of God and Mother of the Church emphasizes her extraordinary closeness to God and all believers.
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Catholics believe in the importance of the Ten Commandments
Catholicism is a way of expressing how diverse people, churches, and traditions come together into a single Church and share the same beliefs. The Catholic Church is based in the Vatican City, an independent country within the Italian city of Rome. The Catholic Church is led by the Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome.
Catholics believe in the significance of the Ten Commandments, which are considered divine law because God himself revealed them. The Ten Commandments are also referred to as divine positive law because they were explicitly spelled out, leaving no room for interpretation. The Church does not view the Ten Commandments as arbitrary rules and regulations from God but rather as commandments for protection. According to the Church, adhering to these commandments will result in eternal happiness, while disobeying them will have consequences.
The first commandment, according to Church teaching, states that followers must worship and adore only God because He alone is worthy. This commandment prohibits idolatry and polytheism, insisting on monotheism, the belief in one God. It also forbids the worship of creatures, demons, power, pleasure, race, money, and other worldly things.
The second commandment prohibits the use of God's name in vain, emphasizing the importance of speaking reverently about God and holy things. It forbids blasphemy, the irreverent use of God's name, speaking disrespectfully of holy things, and breaking vows.
The fifth commandment emphasizes the importance of faith, hope, love, and reverence for God, as well as prayer. It forbids sacrilege and attendance at false worship.
The seventh and tenth commandments focus on respecting and honouring the possessions of others. These commandments forbid theft, damage to property, and cheating people out of their money or property.
The Church also emphasizes the importance of showing respect for parents, with children obeying and honouring their parents, and adults caring for their parents as they age.
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Catholics believe in the celebration of mass
Catholics believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and that holy men and women who came before still pray for us and aid us. These people are called saints. Catholics also believe that the Mass is the source and summit of the Christian life, and that it is a sacrifice. The Mass is a celebration and remembrance of Christ's Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension. It is also a unifying event of the Last Supper and Christ's sacrifice on Calvary.
The Mass is a re-presentation of Christ's sacrifice to the Father in an unbloody manner. The bread and wine consecrated to God and through the Holy Spirit maintain their outward appearance of bread and wine but are transformed into the real Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. This is not cannibalism, as Christ uses the form of bread and wine to come to his people. In his day, even the poorest would have had access to these staples, representing that the Eucharist is for everyone.
The Mass is the central act of worship of the Roman Catholic Church, which culminates in the celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist. The term "Mass" is derived from the concluding words of the Roman Rite Mass in Latin: "Ite, missa est" ("Go, it is the dismissal", officially translated as "Go forth, the Mass is ended"). The Late Latin word "missa" corresponds to the classical Latin word "missio", which means "dismissal". In Catholic teaching, the holy sacrifice of the Mass is the fulfillment of all the sacrifices of the Old Covenant.
The Mass is celebrated according to the Byzantine Rite in various languages based on Greek texts of the Church of Constantinople, the Alexandrian Rite, the Antiochene Rite, and other Latin liturgical rites. The priest usually faces the people, though this is not obligatory.
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Catholics believe in the forgiveness of sins
Catholicism is a way of expressing how different people, churches, and traditions come together into one Church and believe the same thing. The Catholic Church is based in the Vatican City, a small independent country in the city of Rome, Italy. It is led by the Pope, the Bishop of Rome.
In early Christian writings, there is no sign of protests concerning the sacramental forgiveness of sins. Instead, confessing to a priest was accepted as part of the original deposit of faith handed down from the apostles. This practice was formalized in 1215 at the Fourth Lateran Council, according to Loraine Boettner in his book *Roman Catholicism*.
Baptism is the sacrament that takes away the original sin inherited from Adam and any sins committed before baptism. For sins committed after baptism, a different sacrament is needed, which has been called penance, confession, and reconciliation.
Jesus taught that forgiveness is conditional on our willingness to forgive others: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt. 6:14–15). However, forgiveness does not mean treating someone as if they had never sinned or indulging evil.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Catholics do not worship Mary. They venerate her as the mother of God the Son, Jesus Christ. Veneration is distinct from adoration and involves honouring a person.
No Catholic who understands their faith worships statues. Veneration of statues of Jesus, Mary, saints, or angels is meant to inspire and illuminate the Gospel message.
Catholics believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and they follow the traditions handed down by Christ's apostles. The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is one such tradition, where the wafer and wine are believed to be the body and blood of Christ.
Yes, Catholics believe in life after death and pray for the dead. They believe in heaven and that holy men and women who have passed away can intercede for them in prayer.
Tithing, or giving back 10% of one's income, is a hallmark of the Judeo-Christian tradition. While it may not be possible for everyone, Catholics are encouraged to work towards this goal, even if they start by giving a smaller percentage.
