The beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church are distinctive and remain as the distinguishing factor for centuries. Catholic Church teachings on various issues are followed by the faithful all over the world and have remained as such for centuries. Though some clauses have changed over the years, the fundamentals have remained intact.
The doctrines advocated by Catholics on God and his Creation state that humanity was created on the sixth day after God had created the earth, vegetation, animals and all other creatures found on earth. Man was given dominion over all creation to rule on behalf of God. Adam and Eve were meant to live forever in the grace of God. It is only after sin that they were sent off the Garden of Eden.
Jesus is recognized as the Son of God and the savior of mankind. His conception by Virgin Mary was immaculate, meaning that she never lost her virginity during conception. The conception was through the power of the Holy Spirit. The foster father for Jesus was Joseph. The savior of mankind will come again on the final day to judge the living and the dead. The righteous will go to heaven while sinners will face damnation without relief.
An outstanding teaching of the Catholic Church is on Mary. She is the mother of Jesus who is also regarded as God the Son. Mary is venerated for intervening between man and Jesus Christ. She holds a special place among the faithful and is venerated through daily rosary recital. Mary is believed to have been assumed into heaven, meaning that she did not die like other people do.
The pope acts as a representative of Christ on earth and holds absolute power over the faithful. He succeeded St. Peter whom Jesus described as a rock upon which he would build his church. He is elected among cardinals, rules with absolute power and should reign until he dies. History has incidences of popes who resigned for varied reasons. They include Pope Benedict XVI. Other ways of exercising authority is through institutions regarded as congregations.
A defining part of Roman Catholic faith is the Holy Eucharist. This is a unifying symbol where the faithful share the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The communion is celebrated during mass under the leadership of a priest. Only authorized Catholics can receive the Holy Eucharist. Such a person should have attended confession for cleansing purposes. Christ remains present in the Eucharist even after the celebration. He continues to be adored in chapels and shrines away from the 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.
With changing definitions of marriage from different quotas, Catholics are under pressure to revise their teaching. Recognition of gay marriages and single parenthood has been a heated subject in a recent synod. While the pope appears pragmatic about the issue, the bishops are not willing to change. The definition thus remains that of the father, mother and children.
The doctrines advocated by Catholics on God and his Creation state that humanity was created on the sixth day after God had created the earth, vegetation, animals and all other creatures found on earth. Man was given dominion over all creation to rule on behalf of God. Adam and Eve were meant to live forever in the grace of God. It is only after sin that they were sent off the Garden of Eden.
Jesus is recognized as the Son of God and the savior of mankind. His conception by Virgin Mary was immaculate, meaning that she never lost her virginity during conception. The conception was through the power of the Holy Spirit. The foster father for Jesus was Joseph. The savior of mankind will come again on the final day to judge the living and the dead. The righteous will go to heaven while sinners will face damnation without relief.
An outstanding teaching of the Catholic Church is on Mary. She is the mother of Jesus who is also regarded as God the Son. Mary is venerated for intervening between man and Jesus Christ. She holds a special place among the faithful and is venerated through daily rosary recital. Mary is believed to have been assumed into heaven, meaning that she did not die like other people do.
The pope acts as a representative of Christ on earth and holds absolute power over the faithful. He succeeded St. Peter whom Jesus described as a rock upon which he would build his church. He is elected among cardinals, rules with absolute power and should reign until he dies. History has incidences of popes who resigned for varied reasons. They include Pope Benedict XVI. Other ways of exercising authority is through institutions regarded as congregations.
A defining part of Roman Catholic faith is the Holy Eucharist. This is a unifying symbol where the faithful share the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The communion is celebrated during mass under the leadership of a priest. Only authorized Catholics can receive the Holy Eucharist. Such a person should have attended confession for cleansing purposes. Christ remains present in the Eucharist even after the celebration. He continues to be adored in chapels and shrines away from the 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.
With changing definitions of marriage from different quotas, Catholics are under pressure to revise their teaching. Recognition of gay marriages and single parenthood has been a heated subject in a recent synod. While the pope appears pragmatic about the issue, the bishops are not willing to change. The definition thus remains that of the father, mother and children.
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