The Roman Catholic Church has pronounced itself on a number of issues that are central to its fundamental belief. It is these specific Catholic Church Teachings that lend it the identity it has been identified with for centuries. Though there have been changes over time, the modifications do not affect the fundamentals of this Rome based institution.
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 both God and Son of God according to Catholic teachings. He was conceived by Virgin Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. Immaculate Conception meant that Mary remained a virgin even after conceiving and giving birth to Jesus. The foster father of Jesus was Joseph. Jesus was born as a savior, to redeem man from sin and return him to paradise. His second coming will be during judgement day where the living and the dead will account for their actions on earth. Sinners will go to hell while the righteous will go to heaven.
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 governs Roman Catholics from Vatican. He is considered as the successor of Apostle Peter and a representative of Christ on earth. The pope thus holds unquestionable authority that cannot be questioned. His election is done by cardinals and he rules until death. He may however resign as Benedict XVI did. The authority of the pope may also be exercised through institutions that he has created.
Roman Catholics are also identified for their belief in the Holy Eucharist. It acts as a symbol of unity among the faithful. It is regarded as the body and blood of Christ that is a sign of communion. Those who receive the Eucharist must have been cleansed through confession. Christ remains in the Eucharist and is adored in shrines and chapels beyond Eucharistic celebrations or mass.
The teaching on death and destiny isolates the Pope led outfit from the other Christian groupings. The belief is that a person goes to heaven, hell or purgatory depending on the magnitude of sin. While hell and heaven are obvious, purgatory is designed for people who are not grave sinners. They are punished before being admitted into heaven.
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 both God and Son of God according to Catholic teachings. He was conceived by Virgin Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. Immaculate Conception meant that Mary remained a virgin even after conceiving and giving birth to Jesus. The foster father of Jesus was Joseph. Jesus was born as a savior, to redeem man from sin and return him to paradise. His second coming will be during judgement day where the living and the dead will account for their actions on earth. Sinners will go to hell while the righteous will go to heaven.
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 governs Roman Catholics from Vatican. He is considered as the successor of Apostle Peter and a representative of Christ on earth. The pope thus holds unquestionable authority that cannot be questioned. His election is done by cardinals and he rules until death. He may however resign as Benedict XVI did. The authority of the pope may also be exercised through institutions that he has created.
Roman Catholics are also identified for their belief in the Holy Eucharist. It acts as a symbol of unity among the faithful. It is regarded as the body and blood of Christ that is a sign of communion. Those who receive the Eucharist must have been cleansed through confession. Christ remains in the Eucharist and is adored in shrines and chapels beyond Eucharistic celebrations or mass.
The teaching on death and destiny isolates the Pope led outfit from the other Christian groupings. The belief is that a person goes to heaven, hell or purgatory depending on the magnitude of sin. While hell and heaven are obvious, purgatory is designed for people who are not grave sinners. They are punished before being admitted into heaven.
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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