The Catholic Church and its views and teachings on specific subjects.
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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 ...
8
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1answer
73 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 ...
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2answers
126 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 ...
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4answers
397 views
Are Catholics like pagans, in Evangelical vision?
This question is based on my personal experience. Some time ago I had a discussion with a friend of mine who's an evangelical pastor.
In a very subtle way, he was asserting that I actually believe ...
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1answer
39 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 ...
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3answers
482 views
Do Catholics view atheism as a sin?
Are there any passages in the Holy Bible or any Catholic doctrine saying that it is a sin to be an atheist?
Please, don't refer to me any Biblical assertion where it is stated that you should follow ...
8
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2answers
70 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,
...
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1answer
138 views
When did the older English spelling of the endings of Isaiah and Elijah stop being used in the Catholic Church?
I was reading Archbishop Fulton Sheen's Life of Christ and he always refers to Isaiah and Isaias and Elijah as Elias.
I know that's one of the traditional English spellings, but when did it change ...
5
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0answers
49 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 ...
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3answers
99 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 ...
5
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1answer
59 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 ...
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4answers
2k views
Why does Catholicism have priests but Protestantism does not?
The Catholic Church (and apparently Anglican or Episcopalian churches) have clergy with the title of "priest", as did Old Testament Judaism. Are Protestant "preachers", "reverends", "pastors", ...
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2answers
1k views
What effect did the Reformation have inside the Catholic Church?
I confess my knowledge of church history branches at about the Reformation. I know a quite a bit about Catholicism today, and I have an idea of what it was before the Reformation. These are not at all ...
4
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1answer
87 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 ...
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33 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 ...
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votes
3answers
349 views
Did Jesus need to die, or would mere shedding of blood have been sufficient?
Originally: St. Thomas Aquinas on salvation by a drop of Christ's Blood
I heard on Relevant Radio a year or so ago something perplexing, I think it was a priest saying it, but it may have been a ...
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1answer
50 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
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1answer
73 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 ...
28
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2answers
1k views
When did the prohibition of marriage for priests in the Catholic church originate?
The Bible mentions that one of the miracles Jesus performed was the healing of Peter's mother-in-law. This makes it quite clear that Peter himself was married, and Peter is the considered the first ...
4
votes
2answers
102 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 ...
8
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3answers
111 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 ...
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1answer
95 views
Why is Atheism such an easy religion to troll? [closed]
I see it happening many times on YouTube and other comment oriented sites.
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2answers
108 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 ...
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4answers
424 views
When does the bread and wine become Body and Blood?
Exactly when during the Mass does transubstantiation occur? I am aware that it occurs during the Eucharistic Prayer, but at exactly what moment? Would this change if a priest were to consecrate ...
6
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1answer
42 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 ...
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2answers
89 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). ...
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3answers
59 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
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3answers
149 views
Format for the Catholic Mass
I've been to a Catholic Church very few times in my adult life. It's a very different experience than the protestant Churches I'm used to.
In most of the Protestant Churches, there is generally a ...
5
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2answers
96 views
Is there a special significance attached to a Latin Mass?
Every so often, one of my Catholic acquaintances will mention that they will be, or have just attended a Latin Mass. I know pretty much nothing about a Latin Mass, other than (obviously) that it's ...
9
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2answers
85 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 ...
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2answers
56 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 ...
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1answer
39 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 ...
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1answer
57 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 ...
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2answers
66 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 ...
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0answers
24 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 ...
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1answer
15 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 ...
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1answer
58 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 ...
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3answers
121 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
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2answers
190 views
In Catholicism, what are the different kinds of sins?
I have heard various persons refer to different 'kinds' of sins on this site and in other places.
I have heard of
mortal sin
grave sin
venial sin
Are there others? What is a basic definition of ...
11
votes
3answers
181 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 ...
3
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1answer
71 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 ...
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1answer
82 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 ...
8
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1answer
70 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 ...
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3answers
134 views
What do the words Catholic and Protestant mean?
Also, what is the history of use and what languages do they come from? Is it a fitting name today or is it outdated? How do the two relate to each other?
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1answer
166 views
Reformation objections to lectio divina?
It is becoming popular in Protestant circles to embrace traditional Roman Catholic (RC) mysticism, such as the practice of lectio divina. For example, see this page on the website of Timothy Keller's ...
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3answers
216 views
How can common believers in the Roman Catholic Church be sure that the Church's decisions are correct and not erroneous?
There have been some councils, the decisions of which were later reversed by some latter councils. Thus, if your position on a particular matter that was being considered at those councils was too ...
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1answer
550 views
Are Catholics allowed to read the NIV translation?
I know this is kind of an odd question. However, there is a question that has popped into my mind while considering these quality standards that we've been starting to implement.
My thoughts are ...
2
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1answer
62 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 ...
18
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2answers
258 views
According to Roman Catholic doctrine, why does Mary refer to God as her Savior if she was born without sin?
In the Magnificat, Mary refers to God as her Savior. According to Roman Catholic doctrine, Mary was born sinless and remained sinless throughout her life.
So, why does Mary refer to God as her ...
2
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1answer
133 views
Is it true that John Paul II restored the practice of selling indulgences in 2000?
Is it true that John Paul II restored the practice of selling indulgences in the Roman Catholic Church in 2000?
EDIT:
two sources: here and here
