Tuesday 24 November 2015

A General View Of Catholic Church Teachings

By Brenda Warner


The Catholic Church has remained steadfast on its belief and teaching on several fundamental social and spiritual issues. These are the issues that form the core of Catholic Church teachings. They identify the institution and its faithful worldwide. Though modifications are evident over centuries, the fundamental principles remain intact.

The doctrines advocated by Catholics on God and his Creation state that humanity was created on the sixth day after God had created the earth, vegetation, animals and all other creatures found on earth. Man was given dominion over all creation to rule on behalf of God. Adam and Eve were meant to live forever in the grace of God. It is only after sin that they were sent off the Garden of Eden.

Jesus is recognized as the Son of God and the savior of mankind. His conception by Virgin Mary was immaculate, meaning that she never lost her virginity during conception. The conception was through the power of the Holy Spirit. The foster father for Jesus was Joseph. The savior of mankind will come again on the final day to judge the living and the dead. The righteous will go to heaven while sinners will face damnation without relief.

One of the defining teachings of the Roman Catholic Church is the position of Mary as the Mother of God. Jesus is regarded as both God, part of the Trinity and Son of God. Mary intervenes between the faithful and God. She is highly regarded and venerated through the rosary and other Marian prayers. The belief is that she did not die naturally like everyone else does but was assumed into heaven.

Roman Catholics are governed from Rome by the Pope. The belief is that he is the successor of St. Peter the apostle. As such, he leads the faithful with supreme authority. His word stands as truth and cannot be questioned. He is elected among cardinals who have not attained retirement age and rules for life. All directions in the church emanate from him or institutions created by him.

Roman Catholics are also identified for their belief in the Holy Eucharist. It acts as a symbol of unity among the faithful. It is regarded as the body and blood of Christ that is a sign of communion. Those who receive the Eucharist must have been cleansed through confession. Christ remains in the Eucharist and is adored in shrines and chapels beyond Eucharistic celebrations or mass.

Death and destiny form another distinctive teaching by the Rome based outfit. The belief is that upon death, a person goes to hell, heaven or purgatory. It is the magnitude of sin that will determine where a person goes. Purgatory is for those whose sins are not grave. Saints will be admitted to heaven while sinners will be banished to eternal fire in hell.

With changing definitions of marriage from different quotas, Catholics are under pressure to revise their teaching. Recognition of gay marriages and single parenthood has been a heated subject in a recent synod. While the pope appears pragmatic about the issue, the bishops are not willing to change. The definition thus remains that of the father, mother and children.




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