Ten Facts Most Catholics Don’t Know (But Should!)[OPEN thread (Start your engines!)]

[ROMAN] CATHOLIC EXCHANGE ^ | 9 JUL 2010 | GARY ZIMAK

[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.

Gary Zimak is the founder of Following The Truth Ministries, a lay apostolate created to assist Catholics in learning more about their Faith. He is a frequent guest on EWTN's "Son Rise Morning Show" and has appeared on Sirius Radio's "Seize The Day" with Gus Lloyd as well as several local Catholic radio shows. In addition to writing for Catholic Exchange, Mr. Zimak speaks at various parishes, updates The Catholic Truth website and posts frequently on his blog, Facebook and Twitter. He is a member of Catholics United For The Faith, an officer in the Knights of Columbus and resides in New Jersey with his wife Eileen and twin daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. They are actively involved in Sacred Heart Parish in Riverton, NJ.

[Quix]

Proddys have been relentlessly told hereon, that many of the above assertions [made here by a Roman Catholic in highly respected leadership and good standing within the Roman Catholic sub-culture]--Proddys have been relentlessly told that a good chunk of the above assertions are NOT AT ALL TRUE for Roman Catholics. Further that such ideas are therefore "LIES" about Roman Catholics and Roman Catholic beliefs perpetrated by Proddys who are maliciously lying or totally clueless and ignorant about Roman Catholocism to even dare to think such horrid hogwash.

We have also been repeatedly told that the Vatican edifice is a homogeneous institution with a seamless, congruent, non-fractured set of dogma stretching all the way from Noah [would you believe Peter?] to the present with no significant modification, correction or deviation.

This document demonstrates that notion is also a falsehood, at best. Various assertions above have been contradicted at various points throughout the Vatican's existence from 300-400 AD to the present.

[Quix]

200 lb canary . . .

“Here kitty, kitty . . .”

[sageb1]

I’m a Catholic looking for conservative Christian unity. Period.

[dangus]

Gee, Quix... these are freverently defended all the time around this forum. About the most controversial is probably “there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church,” in which case the author of this list glosses over the caveats, probably in reaction to people making the caveats are the rule.

(Protestants *may* be saved through extraordinary grace if their rejection of Catholicism is due to “Indefatiguable ignorance.” “May” in this case refers to the condition that the Catholic Church cannot know, so rather places its hope in an all-loving God; it means it’s hypothetically possible, not as in “yes, you ‘may’ go to the front of the class.” “Indefatiguable ignorance” means that miseducation prevents an ardent soul from accepting the Catholic Church despite a fervent desire to obey Christ. It does not mean, “Well, I grew up Methodist, so I stayed Methodist. I think that many Catholics, even here, expect that “extraordinary” means “quite typical” rather than “outside of the ordinary.”)

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Conservative4Life]

Thanks for this..

[TheBattman]

LEst we forget that the Vatican has contradicted itself and scripture many times throughout the history of the Catholic Church... I do believe that Catholics have something very much in common with other Christian denominations - there are those who stick to the teachings of the particular faith with sincere heart and longsuffering. And there are others who are "Catholic In Name Only", much like there are "Baptists in Name Only" (I know some personally). IF not for some significant might (physical), the Catholic Church might very well have had a much larger fracture when the Roman Bishop was made into the head of the entire organized Church. Many who were considered "radicals" (Cyprian of Carthage being one example that I have done some fairly extensive research on) strongly objected to a centralized head, believing that all bishops held equal authority. Many paid with their lives. Odd how many of such characters, centuries later, were canonized as "Saints". Much of their objections and conflicts with the Roman Church have been whitewashed. And there isn't enough time or bandwidth to exhaust the argument regarding "Apostolic Succession"... Much of the Nw Testament, particularly those letters by the hand of Paul, don't mention Peter in a light that would indicate or even hint that he had some significantly more important roll than any of the other faithful apostles (or disciples beyond the "inner circle" of apostles. Only that Peter (Cephas) was another great co-worker. Matthew 16:18 - ONE single verse, that taken in context and according to linguistic logic, does not bestow a particular title on Peter, but instead uses Peter's FAITH at that time as an example of what the Church would be built upon. For a church is not a building or even an organization - it is faithful people. Does God call people to leadership positions? Most certainly - Ephesians 4 does a great job of pointing out some examples of such - and bear in mind the terminology - and its origins (some modern translations actually do a good job of the closest literal translation)... I have spent time speaking with Roman Catholic clergy, as well as other similar faiths (Anglican/Episcopalian - which I grew up a part of). And the last thing I care to address briefly - Salvation. From where does it come? The Bible is quite clear and needs no special interpretation. For it is by Grace ye are save, not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, than none should boast. Works is not just "good deeds". Works are the acts of faith that should be the outward demonstration OF our faith. Works should be a result - our "act of thanksgiving" as I have heard it put for the Gift of Eternal life that we do not and cannot earn or deserve. Partaking of participation in rituals falls under the category of works. The Lord's Supper (communion/etc.) is (should be) a solemn memorial of Christ and His redeeming work on the Cross.

1 Corinthians 11:25-26-...do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. Translators of various times have often not helped the confusion - often leaving known translation errors because the mis-translated portion has become ingrained and so well-known... (based upon a correct reading of the original language applying the grammar of the time). ACts 2:38 being one of the most obvious (and the centerpiece of Church of Christ doctrine (yes, I know this is primarily a Catholic-related thread).

[married21]

The things I’ve run into that Catholics didn’t know, but should are:
1. They don’t know they shouldn’t visit psychics or do astrology, or they don’t know the reason why.
2. Yoga exercises are Hindu prayer positions and Eastern forms of meditation leave God out of it entirely, and most Catholics don’t know that they are doing something pagan when they do those things. Also, Christians don’t have karma, i.e. “what goes around comes around.” Rather, we get what we don’t deserve— God’s abundant mercy and grace.
3. They don’t really know the reasons why fornication and cohabitation are wrong, so they go ahead and live together before marriage.
4. They don’t really know the reasons why homosexual conduct is wrong.

[CharlesWayneCT]

I would say the most controversial is number 4; Even if you accept the concept of transubstantiation, it seems quite a leap from believing Christ has physically appeared on your lips in human form, to believing that the Mass itself mystically transports you to Calvary in a sacrifice equal to that of Calvary.

I’m not sure however that I’ve ever seen a Catholic argue that before, so it could well be that this assertion is contested even with the body of Catholic believers.

[Legatus]

I’m having a great deal of trouble understanding where your objection intersects with the article you have posted.

Are you saying the Roman Church no longer teaches the 10 items listed or that you simply disagree with all 10?

Regardless I agree with your initial objection that “just about every case” has to do with people not understanding what the Church teaches. Well I suppose it could be the case for the author but every ex/former Catholic I’ve ever met in real life left over “procreative issues”. They understood exactly what the Catholic Church teaches in that area.

I am quite sure that people do exist who had some other reason, I have a great deal of difficulty doing the right thing and assuming good will on the part of persons who claim that sexual “freedom” had nothing to do with the decision though. Every time I’ve gotten into any sort of deep conversation in the real world with someone who left the Catholic Church it eventually boils down to some variation of “the Pope no playa da game, he no maka da rules”... which is sort of like saying “the only good therapist is a psychotic therapist”, but there it is.

Beyond all that, whatever else you may think the Catholic Church teaches, let’s make one thing abundantly and unavoidably clear: Jesus Christ, without Him nothing matters. He is the only reason for doing anything that’s worth doing.

Without Him being exactly Who He is our existence is pointless, and He is the Eternal Son of the Ever-living Father. God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God. Anything less and there’s just no reason to get out of bed in the morning.

Jesus Christ is the ONLY hope for a lost and dying world. His mother can’t save anyone and His Father won’t save anyone who tries to get around the Son.

That’s what the Catholic Church teaches, at least that’s what the Church has taught me and anyone who hasn’t had that all but crammed down his throat isn’t paying attention to the Church. Everything else hinges on the glorious, adorable, worshipful, Person of Jesus Christ. Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!

No matter what year AD someone believes the Roman Church started there is no way for an honest person to avoid the only message that Church has shouted, cried, screamed, yelled and begged a fallen humanity to hear throughout all those centuries: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, He lived, suffered and died, for YOU! and He rose from the dead that we might have eternal life. Hear Him, and do whatever He tells you.

Do fallen men, within and without, confuse the message? Of course. Do wicked men, within and without, actively attempt to obscure it? Of course.

Is that an excuse to claim the message isn’t there? I hope it is but all signs point to: No.

One can say, “but the Romans also teach X and Y and I think they even believe Z!” However one should never forget, and never obscure and never confuse or downplay in any way the bottom line upon which all else rests:

“Cling, therefore, to Jesus in life and death; trust yourself to the glory of Him who alone can help you when all others fail.” - The Imitation of Christ, Thomas à Kempis

“the salvation of mankind does not depend on material success; nor on sciences that cloud the intellect. Neither does it depend on arms and human industries, but on Jesus alone.” - St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

“Love God, serve God: everything is in that” - St. Clare of Assisi

[Judith Anne]

Beautifully written, thanks.

[Legatus]

No, we really believe that. I used to say that Scientologists had nothing on us, we seriously believe the time/space continuum rips wide open at every Mass. I know it sounds crazy, but no crazier than the Incarnation, Passion and Resurrection.

[Judith Anne]

I don’t worry about the time/space continuum. God made that, and it’s good, and over my head. I do believe that Christ Jesus is present, body and blood, soul and divinity, in the Eucharist.

[Gamecock]

Typical smoke and mirrors, Roman Catholic doctrine wise.

[sayuncledave]

With respect, Gamecock, no. All true teachings of the Church. No smoke and mirrors, this is what we believe, and part of what should be taught in the Church. We’ve had a forty-odd year problem with a fair lack of good catechesis, but all mentioned are accurate. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, or that all have to like it, just that it IS.

[don-o]

The attacks on the Catholic Church from the "usual suspects" - e.g. the mass media, sodomite lobby, Marxist / Communists, etc - that I understand.

Seeing additional and continued attacks from self proclaimed Christians makes this non-Catholic wonder who is making common cause with whom? And why?

[Cronos]

well, don-o, Christians who are in the protestant groups do not dream up falsehoods and colorful texts to attack Christ's Church, but the many who just want to stir up trouble do --> there are many Lutherans, Baptists, Presbyterians, Pentecostals, Methodists, Anglicans, Wesleyans even here on FR who are Christian and will focus on their experience with God, the Father-Son and Holy Spirit. These are truly Christian.

However, we do have quite a few posters who are not Christian and spend their time attacking the Church. There's no real point getting irate with these quixotical gaming posters -- one could try to ask them what they believe in, but they will only be able to answer in negatives (eg "we aren't part of The Church")

[OpusatFR]

Pass. I have too much to do with promoting charity in the community and dealing with secularists to pay attention to those whose idea of Christianity is to pick at sores.

[Iscool]

well, don-o, Christians who are in the protestant groups do not dream up falsehoods and colorful texts to attack Christ's Church, but the many who just want to stir up trouble do --> there are many Lutherans, Baptists, Presbyterians, Pentecostals, Methodists, Anglicans, Wesleyans even here on FR who are Christian and will focus on their experience with God, the Father-Son and Holy Spirit. These are truly Christian.

Well hold on there...These are folks who willfully reject the teaching of your religion...They flat out reject your religion...

These are the people who are rejected for salvation according to your catechism...

[Campion]

Far from "just about every case," probably a major chunk of such folks were heavily well trained in the hallowed halls of the Institution.

"Probably a major chunk," huh?

Quix, from roughly 1962 to 1985, "The Institution" couldn't "heavily well train" itself out of a wet paper bag. I was born in 1960. My folks pulled me out of religious ed when I was in 5th grade because they could see (correctly) that it was a complete waste of time. Five classes worth of confirmation prep in high school didn't amount to much, either.

Catholics who are "heavily well trained" today either (a) were "trained" outside those years; or (b) trained themselves.

Obviously, a Catholic who doesn't know his faith is going to be easy pickings for you guys. How can he refute your attacks on his faith if he doesn't even know his faith? Could a conservative refute liberal attacks on the Constitution without knowing the Constitution? Of course not.

But what do I know? I'm only a Romanist who doesn't know the Bible, and if I did know the Bible, I wouldn't be a Romanist any more. (Now that's funny ... LOL)