Saturday, 21 November 2015

A General View Of Catholic Church Teachings

By Brenda Warner


The Roman Catholic Church has pronounced itself on a number of issues that are central to its fundamental belief. It is these specific Catholic Church Teachings that lend it the identity it has been identified with for centuries. Though there have been changes over time, the modifications do not affect the fundamentals of this Rome based institution.

Catholics believe that God created the universe and all within it over a six day period, and rested on the seventh. Man was given dominion over animals, vegetation, the earth and everything in it. This dominion is to be held on behalf of God the Almighty. God intended that Adam and Eve live forever in the Garden of Eden. It was sin that led them to be banished from this paradise.

Jesus is both God and Son of God according to Catholic teachings. He was conceived by Virgin Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. Immaculate Conception meant that Mary remained a virgin even after conceiving and giving birth to Jesus. The foster father of Jesus was Joseph. Jesus was born as a savior, to redeem man from sin and return him to paradise. His second coming will be during judgement day where the living and the dead will account for their actions on earth. Sinners will go to hell while the righteous will go to heaven.

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.

As the definition of marriage changes with advancement in the secular world, the Rome based outfit is under pressure to rethink its stand. A recent debate during the Synod hinted at a change in the stand. With no agreement on inclusion of homosexuals, gays and divorcees, among other scenarios, the original definition remains that of mother, father and children.




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