Michael Brooks
Catholicism, or the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptised members worldwide. The core beliefs of Catholicism are found in the Nicene Creed, which states that God exists in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Catholics believe in the Second Coming of Christ and anticipate the return of Jesus at the end of time. They also believe in the existence of heaven, hell, and purgatory, and in the importance of sacraments such as baptism, Eucharist, confession, and marriage. The Catholic Church places a strong emphasis on social justice and caring for the vulnerable, encouraging followers to seek the welfare of others and address social issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Belief in one God, who exists in three distinct yet inseparable persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit | God is universal and loves everyone |
| The death and resurrection of Jesus | Jesus Christ came to save all people |
| The Holy Trinity | Not formally belonging to the Catholic Church is objectively sinful |
| The Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ | No one who is sinful makes it into heaven |
| The Second Coming and Last Judgment of Christ | God created the universe out of the void |
| The remission of sins | Satan or Lucifer rebelled and took a legion of angels with him (called Demons) and formed the underworld (Hell) |
| The Eucharist | Heaven is where goodness resides |
| Reconciliation | Hell is where evil resides |
| Confirmation | Earth is where evil and good are at battle |
| Anointing of the sick | Saints are people who lived exceptionally holy lives |
| Marriage | The Pope is the supreme pastor of the Catholic Church |
| Holy orders | The Bible is the main religious document of the Catholic religion |
| Baptism | The Bible is the inspired word of God |
| The Catechism of the Catholic Church | The Old Testament of the Hebrew religion plus the canonical books of the New Testament |
| Saints | Parts of the Bible are to be read as literal truth |
| Prayer | Parts of the Bible are considered poetical expressions of faith |
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What You'll Learn
God is universal and loves everyone
At the core of Catholic faith is the belief in one God, who exists as 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. God is universal and loves everyone, and Jesus Christ came to save all people.
The Catholic creation story says that God created the universe out of the void, first starting with the angels. One of the angels, Satan or Lucifer, rebelled and took a legion of angels with him, now known as Demons, and formed the underworld, or Hell. Heaven is where goodness resides, Hell is where evil resides, and Earth is where evil and good are at battle.
Catholics believe that God's grace, a divine gift that enables spiritual growth and salvation, is imparted through seven sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ. These sacraments are:
- Baptism: Welcomes individuals into the Church and marks their membership in God's family, cleansing them of original sin and equipping them with special gifts to live as part of His family.
- Eucharist: The real presence of Jesus Christ in bread and wine, received through Holy Communion, provides sacramental grace and spiritual nourishment.
- Confirmation: Empowers individuals with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to take ownership of their faith and approach life positively, aided by God's grace.
The other four sacraments are reconciliation (also known as penance or confession), anointing of the sick, marriage, and holy orders.
Catholics believe in the importance of prayer, with five types of prayer performed: blessing, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise. Prayers may be directed to God or the saints, either individually or as a litany. Saints are holy men and women who have lived before us, prayed for us, and aided us. They are believed to reside eternally with God in heaven.
The main religious text of Catholicism is the Judeo-Christian Bible, which includes the Old Testament of the Hebrew religion and the canonical books of the New Testament. Parts of the Bible are interpreted as literal truth, while others are considered poetical expressions of faith, with church leaders defining the interpretations.
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Jesus Christ is the saviour
At the core of Catholic faith is the belief in one God, who exists as 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 believe that God's grace, a divine gift that enables spiritual growth and salvation, is imparted through seven sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ. These sacraments are:
- Baptism: This sacrament welcomes individuals into the Church and marks their membership in God's family. It is believed that through baptism, individuals are cleansed of original sin and equipped with special gifts to live as part of God's family.
- Eucharist: Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the bread and wine received during Holy Communion. This sacrament provides sacramental grace and spiritual nourishment. The Eucharist is a celebration of the Last Supper of Jesus, also known as the Mass, deriving from the Latin word "missa", meaning "to be sent".
- Confirmation: Confirmation empowers individuals with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to take ownership of their faith and approach life positively with God's grace.
Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, is central to Catholic belief. Catholics believe in the Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ, as outlined in the Apostles' Creed. The Creed, developed in the early centuries of the Church, serves as a fundamental statement of Catholic doctrine. It proclaims:
> "I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended [...]"
The saving act of Jesus, through his death and resurrection, introduces grace, which in Catholic belief signifies both the love of God and the effect produced in human beings by his love. This grace enables believers to live the Christian life through the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Catholics believe that Jesus Christ came to save all people and that salvation is achieved through his sacrifice.
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The Holy Trinity
The relational distinction between the three persons is real and personal. The Holy Spirit, like the Son, is omniscient and is understood as God, as reflected in Scripture: "no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God" (I Cor. 2:10). The Holy Spirit is also associated with "God's love [that] has been poured into our hearts" (Romans 5:5).
The concept of the Holy Trinity is foundational to the Catholic understanding of salvation and grace. Through Jesus, God is revealed as the Father who sends the Son on a saving mission, and through the Son, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in the redeemed. This introduces grace, which signifies both God's love and the effect this love has on believers.
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Saints and their intercession
Catholics believe in the intercession of saints. Saints are holy men and women who lived exceptionally virtuous lives and now reside eternally with God in heaven. Many churches are named after saints, and their images are believed to illuminate the Gospel message and inspire Catholics with their memories.
The belief in saints stems from the idea that these holy people still pray for us and aid us. Catholics pray to saints, asking for their intercession, just as they would ask their family or friends to pray for them. This practice is known as "the communion of saints." It is believed that when Catholics pray to saints, God hears not only their prayers but also the saints' prayers on their behalf.
Saints are believed to be powerful intercessors, and their prayers are considered to be especially effective. They are seen as role models and protectors, and their lives serve as examples of how to live a holy life. Many saints are associated with specific causes or patronages, such as St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes, or St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost items.
The veneration of saints is an important aspect of Catholic devotion. While saints are respected and honoured, they are not worshipped, as worship is reserved only for God. The intercession of saints provides Catholics with a sense of connection to the heavenly realm and a reminder of the potential for holiness within each person.
The Catholic Church has a process for recognizing saints, known as canonization. It involves a rigorous investigation into the life and virtues of the candidate, including any miracles attributed to their intercession. The Pope, as the supreme leader of the Catholic Church, makes the final decision regarding the canonization of a saint.
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The sacraments
- Baptism: This sacrament welcomes believers into the Church and marks their membership in God's family. It is also believed to cleanse individuals of original sin. The Catholic Church's formula of baptism involves the recitation of the Apostles' Creed, which summarises the basic doctrines of the Church.
- Confirmation: Confirmation empowers believers with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to take ownership of their faith and approach life positively, aided by God's grace.
- The Eucharist: The Eucharist is a celebration of the Last Supper of Jesus, where he offered his followers bread and wine, saying, "This is my body; [...] this is my blood". Catholics believe that during the Eucharist, they receive the real presence of Jesus Christ in the form of bread and wine through Holy Communion.
- Reconciliation (Penance or Confession): This sacrament involves confessing one's sins, making a firm commitment to change, and receiving forgiveness and grace from God through a priest.
- Anointing of the Sick: This sacrament is mentioned without explanation, suggesting it relates to providing comfort or healing to those who are ill.
- Marriage: This sacrament celebrates and sanctifies the union of a man and a woman in marriage.
- Holy Orders: This sacrament is related to ordination and the conferral of specific duties or roles within the Church.
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Frequently asked questions
The core beliefs of Catholicism are found in the Nicene Creed. Catholics believe in one God, who exists 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 also believe in the Second Coming of Christ and the existence of heaven, hell, and purgatory.
The CCC is a compendium of the essential teachings of the Catholic faith. It contains a comprehensive summary of Catholic doctrine, morals, and worship and is considered the official teaching of the Catholic Church.
The Mass is the common name for the celebration of the Last Supper of Jesus or Eucharist. Catholics believe that during the Mass, the bread and wine used for Communion become the actual body and blood of Christ.
Catholics have a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary, whom they believe to be the Mother of God. They also honour and seek the intercession of saints, considering them as powerful allies and examples of holy living.
