Posted on 12/19/2012 8:23:13 PM PST by Salvation
What are the sources or inspiration for these subjects?Basically they are inspired by the documents of the Holy See, and in particular by the Catechism of the Catholic Church and its Compendium. This was a deliberate choice so as to create an awareness of the vast richness, completeness and beauty of these documents which are, in some circles, hardly known at all. In this way, it is possible to present the essential and fundamental contents of the faith which are professed, not just by the individual Catholic, but by the Catholic Church throughout the world as it adheres to the Magisterium of the Pope and the bishops. It is this teaching that was willed by Christ himself in order to confirm the faith of individual believers, so that, through the centuries and in various different parts of the world, everyone should profess the one true Catholic and Apostolic Faith.
Why are the topics treated in this work presented in a dialogical way?From an editorial point of view, the arguments are presented in a dialogical manner, that is to say with questions, each of which is followed by a brief response. This dialogical format, while inviting us to continue reading, is born of and remains faithful to a constant and noble catechetical tradition in the history of the Church. It is well known that many catechisms responsible for the faith formation of entire generations used and in a very fruitful way this kind of pedagogical tool. It should not be forgotten that the same Christian faith, a special gift of God, can itself also be described as a continuous dialogue between God with man, and between man and God.
I am also convinced that this approach can help to meet the needs of the todays world, which certainly has an appetite for interviews of a journalistic type, let alone a taste for synthetic sound bites and catchphrases. This may be due in part to the fact that many people nowadays have little time and, even though they say they are Catholics, need to deepen their faith. This lack of time, unfortunately, often leads to religious ignorance, which in turn, results in a widespread relativism, an arbitrary subjectivism and, last but not least, an impressive reduction in mnemonic capacity regarding the contents of faith. This is not only the case in children and young people but also in adults, both in their catechetical journey and in their various and demanding activities and profession.
Why was the sub-title Fragments of Catholic Truth chosen?
The word Fragments was inserted as a sub-title in order to underline the fact that only some of the contents which form the rich and mysterious tapestry of the Catholic Faith, as well some of the challenges that grip the present world, were being presented in this volume. At the same time I would like to stress that, in dealing with each single topic, I do not intend to present all its aspects and contents. For this reason I do not wish due to a lack of space and time to give each subject a comprehensive and complete treatment but merely to offer some suggestions, fragments of reflections.
What is the purpose of this work?It is hoped that it may help people to know the beauty and the importance of the Christian faith that is offered to all in a better way by discussing certain of the issues that characterize our society at this point in time.
For this reason it is aimed at Christians in order to give them the opportunity to know and to deepen certain contents of their faith, and to every person who wishes to know what the Catholic Church, through some of her official documents, believes and lives, with the Lords help.
Rome, 8 April 2009
Anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood
The Primicerio
of the Basilica of Saints Ambrose and Charles in Rome
Monsignor Raffaello Martinelli
The Catholic Church and non-Christian religions
Where does it find this positive vision?
What are the main positive characterstics, common to other religions?
Does the Catholic Church also reveal the negative aspects in non-Christian religions?One should, however, never forget nor overlook the fact that non-Christian religions also contain false elements, theoretical and practical errors, malformations, deformations, distortions, reductive visions...
What are the causes of these negative aspects?
With regard to the positive and negative aspects present in non-Christian religions, what does the Catholic Church do?The Catholic Church:
How could one summarize what has been mentioned above? Non-Christian religions and religious traditions in general:
What are the main characteristics of the Christian religion?
How are those who belong to non-Christian religions saved? Those who ignore, without any fault of theirs, Christs Gospel and His Church, and nevertheless are sincerely searching for God, and under the influence of grace try their best through good works to fulfil Gods will, made known to them through the dictates of the conscience, can achieve eternal salvation (Vatican Council ii, Lumen Gentium, n.20).
Those who are saved, are they always saved by Christ and his church? Certainly, even though they dont know it. In fact, all salvation comes from Christ-the Head, the only Saviour, through the Church which is His Body. It is therefore the duty of the Church to announce to all that God wants all men to be saved and reach the full knowledge of the Truth (1 Tm 2:4), through Jesus Christ who is the only Saviour of all.
Why is jesus Christ the only saviour?
The Primicerio
of the Basilica of Saint Ambrose and Saint Charles
Monsignor Raffaello Martinelli
Advent series Ping!
Both of you, leave the thread.
I interpret this as saying people can go to heaven/be saved, NOT by believing on Jesus Christ, but if they have "done their best" and do "good works". It sounds like it is saying those who don't hear the gospel of Jesus Christ can still go to heaven if they are good people. Is this how you interpret it?
Moses and Elijah didn’t know Jesus during their earthly lives. Yet Peter, James and John saw them talking with Jesus during the Transfigutation.
So can people of other religions be saved?
What about all the people who arose from their graves after the death of Christ and roamed around Jerusalem, visible only to the believers, until Jesus entered heaven and opened the way for them?? Were they saved?
I think that non-Catholics use the term “saved” much too freely.
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