Rachel Evans
Catholicism is one of the largest Christian denominations, with a rich history and a set of core beliefs that guide the faith of its followers. These beliefs encompass various aspects of theology, morality, and practice. The core beliefs of Catholicism are found in the Nicene Creed, which professes the belief in one God, existing in three distinct yet inseparable persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This triune God is the creator and sustainer of the universe and is characterised by infinite love, mercy, and justice. Catholics follow the teachings of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible and passed down through the Tradition of the Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is another key source for understanding Catholic beliefs, providing a comprehensive summary of Catholic doctrine, morals, and worship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Monotheism | Belief in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible |
| Trinity | God has three aspects: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit |
| Incarnation | God became human in the person of Jesus Christ |
| Virgin Birth | Jesus was born to a virgin, Mary, who is the Mother of God |
| Miracles | Jesus performed miracles during his life |
| Martyrdom | Jesus was martyred by crucifixion |
| Resurrection | Jesus was resurrected from the dead and ascended into heaven |
| Salvation | God's grace, a divine gift that enables spiritual growth and salvation |
| Sacraments | Rituals such as Baptism, Eucharist, Confession, and Marriage are outward signs of God's grace |
| Saints | Holy men and women who pray for us and aid us; Catholics seek their intercession |
| Afterlife | Belief in heaven, hell, and purgatory; God determines whether a soul goes to heaven, purgatory, or hell based on how well they lived their life |
| Second Coming | Jesus Christ will return to earth at the end of time to judge the living and the dead |
| Social Justice | Emphasis on caring for the vulnerable and addressing social issues such as poverty and inequality |
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What You'll Learn
Belief in the Holy Trinity
The concept of the Trinity can be further explained through the following four elements: one nature, two processions, three persons, and four relations. The nature of God is characterised by infinite love, mercy, and justice. The two processions refer to the Son proceeding from the Father, and the Holy Spirit proceeding from both the Father and the Son.
The three persons of the Trinity are distinct from one another but are co-eternal and co-equal, all possessing the same divine nature. The Father generates the Son, constituting the person of God the Father. The Son is generated by the Father, constituting the person of the Son. The Father and the Son together spirate the Holy Spirit, constituting the third person of the Trinity.
The four relations refer to the eternal relationships between the three persons. The Father actively and eternally generates the Son, the Son is passively generated by the Father, and the Holy Spirit is spirated by the Father and the Son, but not in a generative sense, rather through spiration, which comes from the Latin word for "spirit" or "breath".
The Holy Trinity is foundational to the Catholic faith and is expressed in the Nicene Creed, which is professed during Sunday Mass. This creed serves as a reminder of the promises made during Baptism and Confirmation, uniting Catholics in their shared beliefs.
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The Sacraments
Baptism is seen as the sacrament of admission to the faith, bringing sanctifying grace and marking membership in God's family. It is usually performed by sprinkling or pouring holy water on the head of the recipient and invoking the Trinity.
The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is a central rite of Catholic worship. It is the belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the bread and wine, which are transubstantiated into his body and blood during the Mass.
Confirmation is the third sacrament of initiation and serves to "confirm" a baptised person in their faith, empowering them with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Reconciliation, also known as Confession or Penance, is considered a sacrament of healing. It involves confessing sins to a priest and receiving forgiveness.
Anointing of the Sick is another sacrament of healing, where the sick are anointed and prayed for.
Holy Orders is a sacrament of service, marking the ordination of priests and other ministers.
Finally, Matrimony or Marriage is also considered a sacrament of service, recognising the union of a man and a woman as a sacred covenant.
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The Virgin Mary and the Saints
Catholics have a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary, whom they believe to be the Mother of God. They also revere her as the "New Eve", giving her a higher level of veneration than all angelic spirits and blessed souls in heaven. The four Marian dogmas are Mary's Divine Motherhood, Immaculate Conception, Perpetual Virginity, and Bodily Assumption.
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, taught by the Catholic Church, states that Mary was conceived and born without the stain of original sin from the sin of Adam and Eve. This means that she was saved by God at the moment of her conception. The dogma of Mary's Perpetual Virginity states that she remained a virgin throughout her life and during the birth of Jesus. The Second Council of Constantinople in 553 defined this dogma, bestowing upon Mary the title of Aeiparthenos, or Perpetual Virgin. The belief holds that Mary's physical integrity and purity remained intact during childbirth.
The most recent Marian dogma, promulgated in 1950 by Pope Pius XII, is that of the Assumption. It states that Mary, the "immaculate Mother of God, Mary ever virgin", was taken up to heaven body and soul at the end of her earthly life. This belief is also referred to as the Bodily Assumption of Mary into Heaven.
Catholics also honour and seek the intercession of saints, considering them powerful allies and examples of holy living. In Roman Catholicism, a saint is a holy person known for their "heroic sanctity" and believed to be in heaven. There are more than 10,000 saints recognised by the Roman Catholic Church, including martyrs, kings and queens, missionaries, widows, theologians, parents, nuns, and priests. Many saints are revered for their simplicity and humility, such as St. Francis of Assisi and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, while others like St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine were influential writers and thinkers.
Saints are formally recognised through the process of canonization in the Catholic Church, which involves deliberation by a synod of bishops. Most saints have feast days observed by the Catholic Church, where their lives and contributions are celebrated. Some saints are also the patrons of specific occupations or causes and are invoked for aid in those areas. Catholics often ask specific saints to pray for them and take a saint's name during their confirmation.
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Belief in the Afterlife
Catholics believe in the existence of heaven, hell, and purgatory. They believe that when they die, their souls go on to judgement, where they are judged on their faithfulness to the Gospel and the work that follows from that faithfulness. This judgement is called the particular judgement.
At death, individuals are judged as worthy of eternal life in heaven or separated from God in hell. However, this judgement may first require a "stop off" in a place of purification from any remaining imperfections. This place is known as purgatory. Purgatory is an intermediate place where the soul's desire to see God burns as a spiritual longing and yearning. This desire and longing cleanse and prepare the soul to see God in His glory. God decides when a soul enters heaven to see Him face-to-face.
The particular judgement is distinct from the general judgement, which accompanies the Second Coming of Christ. Catholics believe in the Second Coming of Christ, anticipating the return of Jesus at the end of time when He will judge the living and the dead and establish His kingdom in its fullness.
The Catholic Church offers Mass and prayers for the dead, believing that these continue the bond of love beyond death. Catholics do not proclaim that someone is in heaven, as they believe that only canonized saints are assuredly in heaven, and this knowledge comes from miracles and revelations from God.
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Social Justice and Care for the Vulnerable
The Catholic Church teaches that caring for the poor and marginalized should be a top priority. This is known as the "preferential option for the poor," which states that the needs of the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable should come first. This idea is rooted in the belief that God dwells with those who suffer most and that we must care for them as we would for ourselves. Catholics strive to promote peace and justice in the world, and this includes working to end violence and conflict and the use of the death penalty.
The Church also emphasizes the importance of protecting human rights and ensuring that all people have access to basic needs, such as food, shelter, and healthcare. Catholics believe that everyone should have the right to work, receive fair wages, and have the opportunity to participate in society. They also recognize the importance of family and community in supporting individuals and working towards the common good.
In addition to social justice, Catholics are called to care for God's creation. This includes protecting the environment and promoting responsible stewardship of the Earth. The Church recognizes that care for the planet is not just a slogan but a requirement of their faith.
Catholics for Choice is an organization that works to promote social justice within the Catholic Church. They advocate for access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, believing that it is a basic human right. They also work to address racial injustices and support movements like Black Lives Matter.
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Frequently asked questions
The core beliefs of the Catholic Church are found in the Nicene Creed, written in 325 AD. Catholics believe in the Holy Trinity, which holds that God is one being in three divine persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Trinity is central to the Catholic faith. It emphasizes the unity and diversity within the Godhead. The Father is the "principle without principle", the first origin of the Holy Spirit, and, as the Father of the only Son, is with the Son, the single principle from which the Spirit proceeds.
Catholics have a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary, whom they believe to be the Mother of God. They pray to Mary through traditional prayers such as the Hail Mary and the rosary, as well as through conversational prayers of intercession.
