The Catholic Church and its views and teachings on specific subjects.
12
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1answer
66 views
What should I expect at a Roman Catholic funeral?
A funeral notice announces a "mass of Christian burial" (at a Roman Catholic church in the US) followed by a burial followed by a luncheon. As an outsider I have a few questions about what to expect:
...
6
votes
1answer
62 views
Who is the American Catholic Church?
What are the major doctrinal differences between the American Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic church? Why did they split?
4
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2answers
77 views
How does the Catholic church view Freemasons?
What are the historic and current views of the Catholic Church concerning Masons?
9
votes
2answers
108 views
Why did the Catholic Church decide to have a Bible?
As far as I know, the Catholic Church considers God's revealed truth in Sacred Scripture to be part of, but by no means the sum total of Divine Revelation. Sacred Scripture is the written part of our ...
-1
votes
0answers
38 views
What is the doctrinal basis to have the position of pope? Is it still valid? [duplicate]
Why does the position of Pope still exist to date , are there any biblical justification of having a papal authority like the one which is present at the Vatican?
5
votes
2answers
125 views
What is the basis of the non catholic denominations to hold catholics as Idolaters
I was reading this article on an authoritative bible site . I was wondering what is the doctrinal bases to hold Catholics as Idolaters
Here is the excerpt:
Life Magazine, reporting the ...
12
votes
3answers
239 views
How could a sinless Mary die?
Ignatius Theophorus's answer to this question about the assumption of Mary states:
In addition, there is an ancient document which actually relates the death of Mary and the assumption of her ...
5
votes
1answer
58 views
Did Mary die, or was she translated like Enoch and Elijah?
According to the Bible, did Mary die?
From a comment on another question, it seems that at least some denominations (including the Roman Catholic Church) teach that, like Elijah and Enoch, Mary did ...
8
votes
1answer
64 views
How does the feast of Corpus Christi fit into the church calendar?
Looking at the calendar today, I noticed that it's Corpus Christi, which celebrates the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Maundy Thursday recalls the day the rite was first observed and seems ...
10
votes
2answers
149 views
Do Roman Catholics believe Saints are omnipresent?
I understand that officially speaking when Catholics pray to saints, they are not supposed to really pray TO that saint, but rather are asking that saint to pray for them as you would ask any living ...
4
votes
1answer
59 views
According to Roman Catholic doctrine, does the incorruptible body possess blood?
In my translation of a work by John of Damascus entitled Περὶ τοῦ ἀχράντου σώματος, οὗ μεταλαμβάνομεν, it is my understanding that John wrote,
Even as his body prior to the resurrection of the ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Does Catholic doctrine teach that atheists go to heaven, too?
From http://gawker.com/pope-says-atheists-can-be-as-good-as-catholics-509487907
Referencing a passage from the Gospel of Mark in his homily, the Pope
recounted the story of a priest who told an ...
9
votes
1answer
270 views
Can a physically healthy, married couple honor God without having children?
If a married couple is physically able to have children (at least potentially) can they honor God without having children?
Roman Catholics, for example, say that sex has at least two purposes ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
Does Roman Catholic doctrine teach that Christ no longer has a body that possesses flesh?
Does Roman Catholic doctrine teach that Christ's incorruptible body no longer has flesh?
I was translating a work of John of Damascus entitled Περὶ τοῦ ἀχράντου σώματος, οὗ μεταλαμβάνομεν. In this ...
5
votes
0answers
72 views
What does St. Augustine mean by predestination?
St. Augustine says somewhere (quoted in the old Catholic Encyclopedia):
Predestination is nothing else than the foreknowledge and foreordaining of those gracious gifts which make certain the ...
5
votes
1answer
69 views
Can Catholic works of ‘satisfaction’ (prayer, fasting, etc.) for the removal of temporal punishments of venial sin be credited to others still alive?
Here is what I think I understand:
A Catholic believes in something called penance that is understood as a sacrament by which forgiveness of sins (committed after baptism) is granted through the ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
Was the 'Thou Shalt Not Kill' Commandment Written with Caveats? [duplicate]
Was the 'Thou Shalt Not Kill' Commandment Written with Caveats?
I ask because, in its purest form, it doesn't seem quite right to me.
For instance, if somebody kills another person in legitimate ...
0
votes
1answer
58 views
Is every lie a sin? [duplicate]
We all know that lying is a sin in the Catholic's perspective.
But sometimes we lie to protect someone.
For example, a mother lies about sex to protect their children.
Is every lie sinful in Gods ...
5
votes
1answer
90 views
Why does the Litany of Saint Joseph call him “terror of demons”?
A litany for Joseph, the husband of Mary, was approved by Pope St Pius X in 1909 (*). Most of the invocations are straightforward to understand, referring to his life (eg. "husband of the Mother of ...
8
votes
2answers
78 views
Is the Virgin Mary ever referred to as “the Holy Table” (ἡ ἁγία ἡ τράπεζα)?
I'm still in the process of translating a work of John of Damascus concerning the Eucharist and the body of Christ, entitled Περὶ τοῦ ἀχράντου σώματος, οὗ μεταλαμβάνομεν.
In section 4, he writes,
...
4
votes
2answers
142 views
Where did the hierarchical designations of priest, cardinal, bishop, and pope come from in the Catholic church?
Protestantism typically recognizes offices that include pastors, elders, and deacons. Another common belief is the priesthood of all believers, and thus there is no such designation for a particular ...
-3
votes
1answer
104 views
Why is Atheism such an easy religion to troll? [closed]
I see it happening many times on YouTube and other comment oriented sites.
8
votes
3answers
116 views
Why did the conclave elect Pope Stephen I, when he died prior to taking office?
According to Wikipedia, Pope Stephen I was elected to the papacy in March of 752 A.D., but died a few days later, prior to being installed. As I understand it, Catholic teaching indicates that God's ...
6
votes
1answer
52 views
How to identify a Catholic 'order' from initials that follow a nun or priest's name?
I am regularly cataloguing publications written by (or about) sisters and priests. I am unfamiliar with all of the different Catholic orders. Is there an online list or reference that identifies what ...
4
votes
1answer
99 views
What would happen if a priest venerated Santa Muerte in an RCC church?
In Mexico, the mix of native and Catholic religions has produced an interesting figure called Santa Muerte or literally, "Saint Death." In many ways, the icons, statues, and venerations ascribed to ...
6
votes
2answers
104 views
To which Saints may a Catholic pray, and when can this begin?
The Catholic Church teaches, as I understand it, that a person may pray to a Saint, and this Saint will then intercede along with that person to God concerning the request (or something like that). ...
3
votes
3answers
104 views
Did God ever talk about his other creations?
I have always been a lover of all things "Science", space, other life forms, etc. I excelled in Science in School but a few years ago I started questioning things and now believe that "Science" and ...
2
votes
3answers
61 views
When was the title of “Mother of God” first ascribed to Mary?
I understand that the phrase "Mother of God" appears in the prayer commonly referred to as the "Hail Mary" prayer. I'm wondering, though, what the origin is of the phrase "Mother of God". Did it ...
7
votes
2answers
58 views
By what authority does the old Catholic Encyclopedia call itself Catholic?
This may seem like a dumb question, but I think it could be useful to people who look at links on the internet to the old Catholic Encyclopedia (which is heavily referenced on wikipedia for ...
4
votes
0answers
31 views
According to Catholic law and rules, is postponing of the Rite of Acceptance OK?
This is a follow-up question for Are those instructed before baptism considered catechumens before entering the catechumenate formally?
In Czech Republic the pre-baptismal formation is often called ...
2
votes
1answer
43 views
Why is dividing 'event' versus 'process' driven views of justification important to separate Catholic and Protestant theology?
In studying Roman Catholic theology it took me so so long before it dawned on me that justification is not viewed as an event as it is in Protestant theology. Why is this single concept so critical in ...
2
votes
1answer
20 views
Are those instructed before baptism considered catechumens before entering the catechumenate formally?
This question and its answer reminded me a question I wondered about a long time ago: the ritual of entering catechumenate usually takes place some time during the process of pre-baptismal catecheses ...
5
votes
1answer
61 views
Is a bishop in Roman Catholic tradition equal in authority with the apostles?
According to an answer to this question When did Peter become the first Pope, according to Roman Catholic doctrine?, the Pope is the bishop of Rome.
So this made me wonder - since Peter was ordained ...
9
votes
2answers
111 views
Is Latin considered a more holy language in the Catholic church?
I've heard that many Roman Catholic churches still hold Mass services and particularly ceremonies (e.g. weddings) in Latin. Is this true, and if so why is Latin considered to be a better language than ...
8
votes
2answers
133 views
When did Peter become the first Pope, according to Roman Catholic doctrine?
Roman Catholic doctrine teaches that the apostle Peter was the first Pope. Exactly when did this occur?
I can imagine a few different options
When Jesus addressed Peter in Matthew:
I also ...
4
votes
1answer
61 views
What is the origin and basis for the Catholic teaching regarding Mary's vow of celibacy prior to her betrothal?
In the answers to this question it is asserted that Mary had taken a vow of celibacy prior to her betrothal to Joseph. Thus, Joseph already knew that he and Mary would never have marital relations ...
3
votes
1answer
73 views
According to the Catholic Church, what happens to a person who is in the process of learning about Catholicism, if that person dies?
Suppose a person is learning about the teachings of the Catholicism, and dies before that person has reached a conclusion whether he or she would like to join the Church. According to the teachings of ...
11
votes
3answers
195 views
When did Mary and Joseph learn that they were never supposed to have marital relations, according to Roman Catholic doctrine?
Roman Catholic doctrine teaches that Mary remained a virgin her entire life, even after marrying Joseph. It would seem that Joseph and Mary, at their betrothal, had likely expected to have, and ...
9
votes
3answers
127 views
Did Mary know she was sinless, according to Roman Catholic teaching?
The Roman Catholic Church teaches the Immaculate Conception that asserts Mary was conceived without sin and remained sinless for her entire life.
Assuming this to be true, did Mary know that she ...
8
votes
1answer
81 views
Why is the word ‘concupiscence’ so important in understanding the difference between a Catholic view and a Protestant view of ‘Original Sin’?
I have noticed this word ‘concupiscence’ a lot while studying Catholic Theology. It seems to significantly change what ‘Original Sin’ means, making a Catholic meaning of ‘Original Sin’ very different ...
4
votes
1answer
88 views
What is the Catholic biblical or canon basis saying some moral works without grace (transient or permanent) are good (or not have the nature of sin)?
I am trying to clarify the difference in my own mind between a traditional Catholic and traditional Protestant view of grace, specifically in terms of the 'works of unbelievers'. It seems hard to ...
2
votes
1answer
73 views
What is the Protestant biblical basis for those concluding that 'all moral works' without grace have no good in them (or have the nature of sin)?
I am trying to clarify the difference in my own mind between a traditional Catholic and traditional Protestant view of grace, specifically in terms of the 'works of unbelievers'. It seems hard to ...
1
vote
1answer
80 views
Why did God choose Mary?
The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, was conceived full of sanctifying grace and free of any stain of original sin. In Catholicism, this is called the Immaculate Conception. She was conceived ...
1
vote
2answers
113 views
What difference does baptism make when it comes to marriage?
Here is a hypothetical example of what may be a very common situation.
Bill and Martha have been seeing each other for four years. Both were raised in Catholic families, but were not baptized. They ...
5
votes
1answer
44 views
Do Catholics have an “Apocrypha” or just a “Bible”?
Pardon my ignorance here, but I am just wondering if the Apocrypha is labeled as such by Catholics?
To clarify, a Protestant would refer to the 66 books of Protestant Scripture as "the Bible", and to ...
5
votes
2answers
77 views
What is the difference between a dogma, a doctrine, an infallible statement, an ex cathedra statement, etc.?
There are a variety of terms used in the Catholic Church to refer to particular statements or beliefs. Here are a number of some such terms:
Dogma
Doctrine
Infallible statement
Infallible papal ...
2
votes
2answers
89 views
Which Roman Catholic doctrines are infallible?
I know that the Pope can speak infallibly (ex cathedra), and that this has officially been done once, as well as three times before Papal infallibility was formally declared. I would assume that any ...
3
votes
1answer
126 views
What is the Roman Catholic position on literally reading the Flood account in Genesis?
Elsewhere on this site, the question of whether the Roman Catholic church supported evolution was answered with evidence that the Catholic position is that evolution could be true. That is, because ...
6
votes
2answers
138 views
Have different Popes ever contradicted each other?
I understand that Roman Catholics do not think that everything the Pope says or does is infallible. However, has a sitting Pope ever revoked or contradicted an infallible statement made by a previous ...
2
votes
2answers
105 views
If the old priesthood is abolished, what is the point of having Catholic priests?
Before Christ, there would be two tabernacles in the temple: an outer and an inner tabernacle. Priests would minister at the outer tabernacle by caring for the lamps, by burning incense to God twice ...
