Grace Thompson
Catholicism is a revealed religion with a set of rules and doctrines that its followers are expected to adhere to. While the Catholic Church does not impose restrictions on things like drinking, smoking, dancing, wearing pants, or makeup, it does have specific guidelines on doctrine, morality, and public worship. Catholics are expected to obey civil laws and not engage in activities deemed sinful, such as drunkenness, yoga, or breaking Church laws. During Lent, they must abstain from meat on Fridays and fast on certain days. Catholics also have the right to express their opinions to Church authorities and choose their vocation, worship, and spiritual practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eating meat | Catholics are not allowed to eat meat on Fridays during Lent. |
| Fasting | Fasting is reserved for Catholics aged 18-59 during Lent. |
| Marriage | Catholics cannot marry a non-Catholic without the permission of the bishop. |
| Alcohol | Catholics cannot get drunk intentionally, as it is considered a mortal sin. |
| Marijuana | If marijuana is illegal in your state, Catholics cannot smoke or eat it without sinning. |
| Yoga | Catholics are discouraged from practising yoga due to its spiritual association with worshipping false gods. |
| Abortion | Catholics cannot agree with abortion. |
| Homosexual Marriage | Catholics cannot agree with gay marriage. |
| Blasphemy | Catholics cannot use public media or meetings to defame or stir up contempt for the Church. |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics are not allowed to eat meat on Fridays during Lent
Catholics are forbidden from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, a practice known as "abstinence". This rule is based on the belief that Jesus sacrificed his flesh on Good Friday, and so Catholics should also give up flesh on Fridays during the Lenten period. This tradition dates back to the first century, when the day of the crucifixion was observed as a day of abstinence from meat to honour Christ.
The practice of abstinence has evolved over time. In the past, Catholics were required to abstain from meat on all Fridays throughout the year. However, the Church has since relaxed this rule, and now the obligation to abstain from meat is limited to Fridays during Lent, as well as Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This change was made to preserve the Fridays during Lent as meatless days while still allowing some flexibility for the modern observance of the penitential season.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has provided specific guidelines for abstinence during Lent. According to their rules, everyone aged 14 and above must abstain from consuming meat on Fridays during Lent, while those aged 18 to 59 must also fast, unless they are exempt due to medical reasons or other special circumstances.
The act of abstaining from meat is seen as a form of asceticism, or self-denial, which helps Catholics grow in holiness and simplicity. It is a way to honour Jesus' sacrifice and practice self-discipline. Additionally, abstaining from meat is not just about giving up something physical, but it is also about making a spiritual sacrifice and doing penance.
While Catholics are not allowed to eat meat on Fridays during Lent, they are still permitted to eat fish, which was historically a cheap and common food that was not associated with celebrations. By abstaining from meat and choosing simpler alternatives, Catholics can focus on their spiritual growth and commemorate Christ's sacrifice.
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They must attend Mass on Sundays and holy days
Catholics are expected to follow specific rules and guidelines, and while there are many things that they are allowed to do, there are also certain restrictions and obligations. One of the key obligations for Catholics is to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days. This is one of the "Precepts of the Church" or "Laws of the Church", and it is considered a requirement for Catholics to fulfil this duty.
By attending Mass, Catholics actively participate in the celebration and worship of their faith. Mass is a sacred ritual in the Catholic Church, centred around the Eucharist. It is a time when Catholics come together as a community to pray, sing hymns, listen to readings from the Bible, and receive spiritual communion with God. The priest plays a pivotal role in leading the Mass, guiding the congregation through the liturgy and delivering a homily, which is a reflection on the day's Scripture readings.
The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days holds significant importance for Catholics. It is a time for them to strengthen their relationship with God, receive spiritual nourishment, and find solace in their faith. Through the Mass, Catholics are reminded of their beliefs, values, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. It serves as a cornerstone of their spiritual practice, providing structure and regularity to their religious lives.
Additionally, attending Mass allows Catholics to connect with their fellow parishioners, fostering a sense of community and belonging. The shared experience of worshipping together can create strong bonds among the congregation. For Catholics, the Mass is not just a passive observance but an active participation in their faith, where they are encouraged to engage in responses, sing along, and receive the Eucharist with reverence.
While attending Mass on Sundays and holy days is a requirement, the Catholic Church also recognises the importance of individual circumstances. In exceptional cases, where attending Mass may pose a challenge or conflict with one's spiritual needs, the Church allows for flexibility. The spiritual needs of the individual or group take precedence, and strict adherence to this law may be adjusted if it would be counter-productive or cause difficulty. This flexibility highlights the Church's understanding of the diverse and unique situations that its members may face.
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They cannot alter or redefine Christian teachings
Catholics are expected to adhere to the teachings of the Church, and they do not have the authority to redefine or alter Christian doctrine to suit their personal beliefs or preferences. This means that Catholics cannot pick and choose which aspects of the moral law and the Creed they wish to follow or interpret them in a way that aligns with their personal views.
The Catholic Church has a clear structure and hierarchy, and the interpretation of doctrine is the responsibility of those in positions of authority, such as bishops and the Pope. While Catholics have the freedom to express their opinions and disagree with certain tenets, they are expected to respect the decisions of the Church's leaders.
For example, the Catholic Church's stance on abortion and gay marriage may not align with the personal beliefs of all Catholics. However, individuals cannot simply redefine these teachings to match their personal views. The Church's teachings on faith and morals are considered absolute, and Catholics are expected to accept and uphold them.
Additionally, Catholics are expected to follow certain practices during religious events and festivals. For instance, during Lent, Catholics are expected to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays and fast on these days. While the modern observance of Lent is less strict than in the past, Catholics are still expected to follow the official guidelines set by the Church.
Catholics also have certain rights within the Church. They have the right to worship according to their own rite and to follow their spiritual calling. They can express their opinions to Church authorities and make their spiritual needs known to their pastors. These rights provide a balance to the strict adherence to doctrine, allowing Catholics to have a personal relationship with their faith while respecting the structure and authority of the Church.
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They cannot marry without Church permission
Catholics cannot marry without Church permission in certain circumstances. For example, if a Catholic wants to marry a non-Catholic Christian, they must seek permission from the local bishop. This permission is called a "dispensation to enter into a mixed marriage". If the person they wish to marry is not a Christian, the permission is called a "dispensation from disparity of cult".
The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a sacrament and that a validly contracted sacramental marriage is accompanied by divine ratification, creating an indissoluble union until the couple consummates the marriage. Even if a Catholic marries a non-Catholic without permission, the marriage is still considered valid, though illicit.
Weddings between two Catholics are usually held in a Catholic church, while weddings between a Catholic and a non-Catholic can be held in a Catholic church or a non-Catholic church, provided that permission is granted by the Bishop. The Bishop can also permit a wedding to take place in another suitable location, such as a non-Catholic church, if there is a sufficient reason. For example, if a Catholic wants to marry a Baptist whose father is the pastor of the local Baptist church, the Bishop could permit the couple to marry in the Baptist church.
The Catholic Church also has requirements for a valid marriage, which include that the spouses are free to marry, they freely exchange their consent, they intend to marry for life, be faithful, and be open to having children, and that their consent is given in the presence of two witnesses and a properly authorized church minister. If a Catholic is facing financial difficulties, they can work with their pastor to ensure that financial hardship does not prevent them from getting married.
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They cannot practice yoga, as it is considered worshipping false gods
Yoga has become increasingly popular among Catholics, with some even diving into yoga teacher training and retreats. However, the Catholic Church maintains a cautious stance towards yoga due to its spiritual roots in Hinduism and its potential conflict with Catholic doctrine.
Yoga, in its traditional form, is more than just physical postures and stretches. It is deeply rooted in Hindu spirituality, with poses and sequences designed to awaken the kundalini energy, represented as a sleeping serpent goddess at the base of the spine. The practice aims to guide this energy up the spine, allowing the practitioner to realise their "authentic Self" and become united with Hindu gods or even deified figures like Buddha and Jesus Christ.
Bikram Choudhury, the founder of a popular type of yoga, affirms this spiritual dimension, stating that through his posture sequence, "you awaken kundalini. You become Jesus Christ. Or Buddha. My yoga formula works for everybody." BKS Iyengar, one of the gurus who brought yoga to the West, writes that a true yoga asana is one in which the thought of the Hindu supreme god flows effortlessly through the practitioner's mind.
From a Catholic perspective, engaging in yoga as a spiritual practice rooted in Eastern spirituality or mixing it with Christian prayer is problematic. The Church teaches that Catholics have a duty to worship God in truth, and the pagan origins and aims of yoga can conflict with this duty. While the Church does not have a definitive teaching on the morality of yoga as mere exercise, it draws a clear line by prohibiting Catholics from embracing any of the spirituality associated with yoga.
Catholics who wish to practice yoga must be cautious and mindful of its spiritual underpinnings. While the physical postures and stretches may be acceptable when done purely for physical health and in moderation, embracing the spiritual aspects of yoga, such as invoking Hindu gods or attaining enlightenment through self-deification, would be considered worshipping false gods and would conflict with Catholic doctrine.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics are not allowed to eat meat on Fridays and must observe certain days of fasting—by limiting the size of meals—during Lent.
Catholics are not allowed to alter, bypass, undermine, negate, or redefine Christian teachings on faith or morals.
Catholics are not allowed to use public media or a public meeting to defame or stir up contempt for the Church.
The Catholic Church encourages all its members to obey civil laws. So, for example, if marijuana is illegal in your state, Catholics are sinning if they smoke or eat it.
