Catholic Word of the Day, LAPSI, 06-06-11

CatholicReference.net ^ | 06-06-11 | Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary

[Salvation]

Featured Term (selected at random):

LAPSI

Third-century Christians who relapsed into heathenism by sacrificing to the gods or performing other acts of apostasy. There were three classes: sacrificati, who had actually offered sacrifices to idols; thurificati, who had merely burned incense to the gods; and libellatici, who certified in writing that they had offered sacrifice to idols without having actually offered sacrifice. After the edict of Decius (250-25) the lapsi who had apostasized through weakness often wished to repent and return to Christian worship. Pope Cornelius and St. Cyprian favored their return, and the synods of that time felt that after their performance of certain public penances they should be readmitted. Novatian opposed this leniency and formed a schismatic community. The Donatist schism was occasioned by a new class of lapsi, called "traditores," mostly clerics, who gave up the sacred books to the civil authorities and later repented. Several synods including the First Council of Nicaea in 325, drew up canons relative to the treatment of lapsi.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

[Salvation]

Thus we get the word "lapsed" Catholics. Politically correct -- inactive Catholics.

We'll have fun getting this word challenged in SCRABBLE! LOL!!

[Salvation]

Catholic Word of the Day – links will be provided later by another FReeper.  (Would anyone like to help with this?)

 

Augustinianism	Meekness	Disposition
Pew	Authentic Interpretation	Dissimulation
Silvanus	Sacred Heart	Bar
Maestro di Camera	Natural Knowledge of God	Lollardism
Blessing	Agent	Satisfaction
Lapsi

Catholic Word of the Day Ping!

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[Straight Vermonter]

Augustinianism	Meekness	Disposition
Pew	Authentic Interpretation	Dissimulation
Silvanus	Sacred Heart	Bar
Maestro di Camera	Natural Knowledge of God	Lollardism
Blessing	Agent	Satisfaction
Lapsi

Links to older "Word of the Day" threads.