Posted on 07/12/2010 10:28:06 PM PDT by Quix
Quixicated emphases in color and/or bold appear below within some paragraphs. The headings in bold are in the original. Some extra paragraphing also injected.]
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Every time I hear someone claim to be an “ex-Catholic”, a sense of sadness comes over me. In just about every case, people leave the Catholic Faith due to a lack of understanding.
What unmitigated balderdash! What a cop-out! What a brazen distortion of reality! Far from "just about every case," probably a major chunk of such folks were heavily well trained in the hallowed halls of the Institution. Many were instructors--even Catechism instructors for many years in the Institution. That brazen falsehood just does not hold water.
After all, if Catholics truly believed that they were members of the one, true Church founded by Christ (and necessary for their salvation), nobody would ever leave!
THANKFULLY, many former RC's have learned that the above assertion is simply NOT TRUE! PRAISE GOD FOR THE TRUTH!
In an effort to help clarify what the Catholic Church teaches, I have compiled a list of 10 important facts that every Catholic should know.
NONSENSE. I'm not sure some of the assertions got within a galactic cluster's closeness to "facts."
More than simply Catholic trivia, these are important concepts that can help us to better understand and defend our beliefs. In no particular order, these items have been compiled based upon my work at Following The Truth and my own study of the Catholic Faith.
1. Women Will Never Be Priests – Often incorrectly lumped in with the subject of married priests, this is a doctrine that has been infallibly decided and will not change. In 1994, Pope John Paul II issued an Apostolic Letter, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, in which he declared once and for all that “the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful.” Unlike the issue of married priests (which could possibly change), women’s ordination is an impossibility that will not happen. It is not a “glass ceiling” or the Church’s attempt to hold back women. Instead, it is an infallible recognition that men and women have different roles and that Christ instituted a male priesthood.
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I'll wait to comment on some of the following. I hope other Proddys will comment before I can get to them.
2. Fridays Are Still Days Of Penance – Ask almost anyone and they will tell you that Catholics are no longer required to abstain from meat on Fridays throughout the year. However, the current Code of Canon Law (CIC) states that, with the exception of solemnities, “All Fridays through the year and the time of Lent are penitential days and times throughout the entire Church.” (CIC 1250) Furthermore, “Abstinence from eating meat or another food according to the prescriptions of the conference of bishops is to be observed on Fridays throughout the year unless they are solemnities.” (CIC 1251) In the United States, the bishops have declared that it is permissible to substitute some other form of penance, but we are still urged to fast from “something” in remembrance of the Lord’s death on the cross.
3. The Bible Is A Catholic Book – Did you ever wonder how the Bible came into being? A little known, but easily documented fact is that the books of the Bible were compiled by the Catholic Church. For many years after Christ ascended into Heaven, there was debate about which scriptural writings were inspired by God. The canon of Scripture (the books of the Bible) was first formally decided at the Synod of Rome in 382. This decision was upheld at the Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397). At these Catholic Church councils, the same 46 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books that appear in today’s Catholic Bibles were declared to be inspired by God. As a side note, approximately 1200 years after this decision was made, Martin Luther and the Protestant reformers removed 7 books from the Old Testament. As a result, most Protestant Bibles are still missing these 7 books.
4. The Mass Is The Same Sacrifice As Calvary – The biggest mistake that many Catholics make is treating the Holy Mass as “just another church service”, similar to those held by other religions. In the Mass, Christ’s Sacrifice on the Cross is made present, its memory is celebrated and its saving power is applied. The Council of Trent teaches that Christ left a visible sacrifice to His Church “in which that bloody sacrifice which was once offered on the Cross should be made present, its memory preserved to the end of the world, and its salvation-bringing power applied to the forgiveness of the sins which are daily committed by us.” When we attend Mass, we are mystically transported to Calvary, where we can unite ourselves with the Lord’s Sacrifice to the Father!
5. Annulments Are Not Catholic Divorces – Unlike the legal process known as “divorce” (in which a marriage is terminated), a declaration of nullity (annulment) states that a valid marriage never existed. This decision is based upon the finding that on the day that marriage vows were exchanged, some essential elements were lacking. This process is completely in conformity with the Catholic teaching regarding the indissolubility of marriage. Incidentally, the granting of an annulment does not render children illegitimate.
6. In Vitro Fertilization Is Morally Unacceptable – Many Catholics suffering from infertility utilize this process in the hopes of conceiving children, while remaining unaware that the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) declares it “morally unacceptable”(CCC 2377). In the Vatican Instruction, Donum Vitae, the Church states “…in conformity with the traditional doctrine relating to the goods of marriage and the dignity of the person, the Church remains opposed from the moral point of view to homologous ‘in vitro’ fertilization. Such fertilization is in itself illicit and in opposition to the dignity of procreation and of the conjugal union, even when everything is done to avoid the death of the human embryo.”
7. There Is No Salvation Outside Of The Catholic Church – Originally stated by St. Cyprian, the Latin axiom “Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus” reminds us that there is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church. This dogma was declared at the Fourth Lateran Council and is a source of confusion for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. According to the Catechism, all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is His Body. It does not mean that non-Catholics cannot achieve salvation. Individuals who are unaware that the Catholic Church is the one, true Church may still achieve salvation through the merits of the Church, despite their lack of knowledge.
8. In An Emergency, Anyone Can Baptize – Although the ordinary ministers of Baptism are bishops, priests and deacons, anyone can baptize in an emergency, even a non-baptized person. This extraordinary decision can be attributed to the necessity of Baptism for salvation and the Church’s desire to make it readily available to all.
9. Hell And Purgatory Still Exist – Contrary to the belief of many Catholics, the Church still teaches that “the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin, descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, eternal fire” (CCC 1035) Furthermore, “all who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation, but after death they undergo purification, so to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” (CCC 1030) This purification process, formally declared by the Church at the Councils of Florence and Trent, is known as Purgatory.
10. Catholics Don’t Worship Mary And The Saints – Many Catholics are confused about the role of the Blessed Mother and the Saints. Should we pray to Mary and the Saints or should we go “right to the top” and pray to God? In a nutshell, the Catholic Faith teaches that we must worship God alone. Mary and the Saints are to be honored, not worshipped. However, their intercession can be extremely powerful and emulating their virtues can put us on the road to Heaven.
While the above list only scratches the surface of the robust Catholic Faith, it provides a glimpse into the depth of Catholic teaching. Further explanation on these and other topics can be found by examining the Code of Canon Law and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, both of which can be found online at the Vatican website (www.vatican.va). Not only will studying the teachings of the Catholic Church enable us to better defend her when challenged, it will help us to become closer to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who founded our Church 2,000 years ago.
How could someone know the Catholic faith is the only true faith and then reject it? That would be impossible for any sane human being. Worse than suicide, to condemn oneself to a loss of salvation. Think again on this one.
If you really want to get your brain tied up in knots, remember that the pope said non-Catholics could be saved, and the pope is not infallible.
Save us the finger pointing and post all the data from your catechism as to requirements for salvation...
It isn't just "equal to." It just plain IS. The Eucharist IS the Sacrifice of Calvary in an unbloody manner.
I figure it may be frowned upon, but if it’s a sin, it’s a venial one, and not going to get me sent straight to hell. I ALWAYS dedicate my practice to the glory of God. There is some Christian yoga, but somehow I doubt if it’s very good. Muslims aren’t supposed to do it either because in it you adopt the muslim prayer position (butt in the air) without praying. I wouldn’t call it exactly “clearing my mind of everything”, but more like shutting off the infernal, incessant ego-driven inner dialogue for a little while and letting the machinery of my mind take a break. Again, my understanding is that hatha yoga is intended to train the body and train the mind to be the master of the body, which prepares the spirit for prayer and worship, of whatEVER variety one chooses. I’ve thought about this quite a lot, because I am a Catholic Christian, yet I have become a serious practitioner of hatha yoga over the past four and a half years.
“Wait. You forgot “insulting fellow Christians on the Internet.”
Oh, you mean like posting an article just for the ridicule?
Hmmmmm....
But how is it made visible? Where shall we find Calvary perpetuated? We shall find Calvary renewed, re-enacted, re-presented, as we have seen, in the Mass. Calvary is one with the Mass, and the Mass is one with Calvary, for in both there is the same Priest and Victim. The Seven Last Words are like the seven parts of the Mass. And just as there are seven notes in music admitting an infinite variety of harmonies and combinations, so too on the Cross there are seven divine notes, which the dying Christ rang down the centuries, all of which combine to form the beautiful harmony of the world's redemption.
Each word is a part of the Mass. The First Word, "Forgive," is the Confiteor; the Second Word, "This Day in Paradise," is the Offertory; the Third Word, "Behold Thy Mother," is the Sanctus; the Fourth Word, "Why hast Thou abandoned Me," is the Consecration; the Fifth Word, "I thirst," is the Communion; the Sixth Word, "It is finished," is the Ite, Missa Est; the Seventh Word, "Father, into Thy Hands," is the Last Gospel.
Picture then the High Priest Christ leaving the sacristy of heaven for the altar of Calvary. He has already put on the vestment of our human nature, the maniple of our suffering, the stole of priesthood, the chasuble of the Cross. Calvary is his cathedral; the rock of Calvary is the altar stone; the sun turning to red is the sanctuary lamp; Mary and John are the living side altars; the Host is His Body; the wine is His Blood. He is upright as Priest, yet He is prostrate as Victim. His Mass is about to begin.
And one more thing, the above doesn't make a bit of sense. Of course God is in my mind whether I'm yammering up there or not. The trick is shutting off the voice of "I" so you can HEAR Him. Those that smack and bash at Yoga remind me of the prots that smack and bash at Catholicism. They infer nefarious thoughts and actions in an ignorant way, because they do not understand, and do not WISH to understand.
I think there is a place for you in the NAACP. Someone who objects and wants to debate is not a racist . . . er, is not someone who just wants to ridicule.
Our son was involved with yoga, and we asked my brother-in-law’s spiritual advisor (very orthodox priest!) about it and he said the exercises themselves are fine, but to not follow the religion behind them ...
There is a huge worldwide organization of Christian yoga. I don't have the time right now, but please use your favorite search engine to verify what I've said.
There is a huge worldwide organization of Christian yoga. I don't have the time right now, but please use your favorite search engine to verify what I've said.
My explanation will probably be found wanting and there are more detailed sources available.
It hinges on the understanding of what is conveyed by the phrase “do this in memory of me.” meaning of the Greek word anamnesis. Does it convey a simple remembering? Or is it, as when the Jews celebrate Passover, have the meaning of bringing into the present a past historical event? Catholics believe the use of the Greek word anamnesis means it signifies the latter.
Another consideration is the distinction between “chronos” time and “kairos” time. A good explantion of this and the connection with anamnesis can be found at the Greek Orthodox blog.
There Is No Salvation Outside Of The Catholic Church
lol. Today. Tomorrow they will argue the opposite.
The only consistency in Rome is its inconsistency.
I understand the concept of the Eucharist being the sacrifice of Calgary (not in an unbloody manner though, the wine IS the blood).
What I am discussing is the belief expressed that the Mass (not the Eucharist) is the parishioners making a sacrifice like that of Christ, AT Calgary where the Mass mystically transports the parishioners.
As I read assertion #4, by participating in the Mass, the parishioner is mystically transported to Calgary, where they give a sacrifice equivalent to Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross as enacted in the Eucharist.
Maybe I am not phrasing that correctly, or I have misunderstood the meaning, but that is what i got from the words to #4, and as I said, I had not previously heard a Catholic discuss giving a Calgary-type sacrifice through the attendance at Mass.
LOL - I gotta love the logic here. Have you ever done yoga? No, I'm not talking about all of the garbage that often goes with the body positions, I'm only referring to those positions - just as you did. It is an excellent form of exercise and stretching.
There is one position that is very similar to sitting in a chair. I'm curious - will you now stand while eating and stop using your car in order to stay out of that EEEEEVIL prayer position? Get right on it and let us know how it goes.
Exactly.
At
CALGARY?
Would that be on the former World’s Fair site?
What particular venue?
Does the Vatican know about this?
Yes, and I suspect that this is where most of the concern lies. If good young christian boys and girls go and start taking “spiritual” exercise classes from a bunch of hindus and buddhists who call themselves guru, soon they’ll be dressed in saffron robes chanting hare krishna in front of the airport. Probably a valid concern. I’m not going to stop.
By "unbloody," I mean that His Precious Blood wasn't shed as happened during His Passion and Crucifixion.
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