the uniqueness of the catholic church-rcia-sfx-pj-08
DESCRIPTION
CATHOLIC FAITH FORMATIONTRANSCRIPT
• The word “Church” (Latin ecclesia) originally meant a convocation or assembly gathered for a religious purpose.
• In Christian usage the word “church” refers to the worshipping community, the local community or “parish” and the entire universal community of believers. (CCC, 751 – 752)
• In the Old Testament God called the In the Old Testament God called the chosen people of Israel to be his holy chosen people of Israel to be his holy people.people.
• In the New Testament, Jesus calls his In the New Testament, Jesus calls his disciples to form a community of faith disciples to form a community of faith as as the people of the New Covenant. the people of the New Covenant. Jesus inaugurates the Church through Jesus inaugurates the Church through his preaching and teaching and in His his preaching and teaching and in His total self-giving on the cross (CCC, 763 total self-giving on the cross (CCC, 763 – 766) Eph 2: 19-22– 766) Eph 2: 19-22
• Pope Pius XII –Encyclical on the Mystical Body, said “it is the society of those who have been baptized, and who profess the faith of Christ, and who are governed by their bishops under the visible head, the Pope, the Bishop of Rome.”
• St. Paul speaks of all Christians as members of Christ, so that with Him, they form one Mystical Body (Cf. 1 Cor 12:12-31; Col 1:18; 2:18-20; Eph. 1:22-23; 3:19; 4:13)
This expression also refers to the communion between holy persons (sancti); that is, between those who by grace are united to the dead and risen Christ. Some are pilgrims on the earth; others, having passed from this life, are undergoing purification and are helped also by our prayers. Others already enjoy the glory of God and intercede for us. All of these together form in Christ one family, the Church, to the praise and glory of the Trinity – CCC 961-962
For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war, for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 2 COR 10:4
HE CHOSE THE 12 DISCIPLES (Mark 3 13:19)HE CHOSE THE 12 DISCIPLES (Mark 3 13:19)
HE AUTHORISED AND EMPOWERED THEM HE AUTHORISED AND EMPOWERED THEM TO TEACH, SANCTIFY & GOVERNTO TEACH, SANCTIFY & GOVERN
((Luke 9:1-6; Matt. 28:19-20; 18:17-18; John 20:23 Mark 16:15-16)Luke 9:1-6; Matt. 28:19-20; 18:17-18; John 20:23 Mark 16:15-16)
The Church’s FacetsThe Church’s Facets
• The Church as an The Church as an institution has two institution has two dimensions:dimensions:
• A. Temporal: dealing with A. Temporal: dealing with the affairs of this world.the affairs of this world.
• B. Spiritual : B. Spiritual : The Pastoral Care of soulsThe Pastoral Care of souls The preaching of the The preaching of the
Gospel.Gospel. The sanctification of the The sanctification of the
People of God.People of God.
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The Pope and the Cardinals delegated by the Pope supervise the functions of the Roman Curia. The
Administrative apparatus of the Vatican. The Roman Curia is divided into discasteries (congregations,
tribunals, offices, secretariat of state, agencies). All these different departments ensure the administration
of the Holy See.
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•““MAGISTERIUM” in Latin means “duty MAGISTERIUM” in Latin means “duty or office of Teacher”’ – used in the or office of Teacher”’ – used in the
Church to mean the “Teaching Church to mean the “Teaching Authority” of the Church .Authority” of the Church .
( CCC 85-87, 888-892)( CCC 85-87, 888-892)
•Comprises of The Pope and Bishops in Comprises of The Pope and Bishops in union with him;union with him;
Men & Women Consecrated their life
• Diocesan & Religious Priests – 406,411
• Deacons – 33,391
• Religious Brothers – 54,708
• Religious Sisters -760,529
• Seminarians – 58,538Total of 1,255,039
Clergy & Religious consecrated their lives to serve the Lord
Total :More than 10,000 Saints & BeatiMartyrs : Last Century 170 millions
IT’S BREAK TIME !
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Nicene CreedNicene Creed
We believe in We believe in One, Holy, One, Holy, Catholic Catholic and and ApostolicApostolic
Church.Church.We acknowledge one baptism for the We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. world to come. Amen.
There is There is oneone bodybody and and oneone SpiritSpirit, just as you were , just as you were
called to the called to the one hope one hope that that belongs to your call, belongs to your call, one one
Lord, Lord, oneone faithfaith, , one one baptism, one Godbaptism, one God and and Father of us all, who is Father of us all, who is
above all and through all above all and through all and in all. and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6Ephesians 4:4-6
By his grace Jesus makes the Church
holy, just as he is holy.
This doesn’t mean that each member is always holy. Jesus said there
would be both good and bad members in the Church
(John 6:70).
But the Church itself is Holy because it is
the source of Holiness and is the guardian of
the special means of grace Jesus established,
the sacraments (Eph. 5:26).
The Holy Spirit, whom Christ the head pours out on his
members, builds, animates, and sanctifies the Church. She
is the sacrament of the Holy Trinity's communion with men.
CCC 747
Jesus’ Church is called catholic ("universal" in
Greek) because it is his gift to all
people. He told his apostles to go throughout the world and
make disciples of "all nations“
(Matt. 28:19–20).
For 2,000 years the Catholic Church has carried out this
mission, preaching the good news
that Christ died for all men and that he wants all of us
to be members of his universal family
(Gal. 3:28).
Today the Catholic Church is found in every country
of the world and is still sending out
missionaries to "make disciples
of all nations" (Matt. 28:19).
“This is right and is acceptable in the sight of
God, who desires everyone to be saved and come to the
knowledge of Truth” (1 Tim 2:4).
"The Church is catholic because she proclaims the fullness of the faith. She bears in herself and
administers the totality of the means of salvation.
She is sent out to all peoples. She speaks to all men.
She encompasses all times. She is 'missionary of
her very nature' " (CCC no. 868).
•"Do you love me, Peter. Feed my sheep“;
•"I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith may not fail. You in turn must confirm your brethren",
•a special role for Peter in the establishment of the Church, and special divine protection for Peter in the exercise of his authority.
Peter the first PopePeter the first Pope
AUTHORITY AND INFALLIBILITY AUTHORITY AND INFALLIBILITY
• I will give you the I will give you the keys keys of the Kingdom of of the Kingdom of HeavenHeaven, and whatever , and whatever you you bind on earth will bind on earth will be bound in heavenbe bound in heaven, , and whatever you and whatever you loose loose on earth will be loosed on earth will be loosed in heavenin heaven." ."
• Matthew 16:19Matthew 16:19
APOSTOLIC SUCCESSIONAPOSTOLIC SUCCESSION
•“For I received from the Lord what I also handed
on to you…” 1 Cor 11:23
•“For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received”
1 Cor 15:3
This is the most basic meaning of Catholic
Tradition; it is the true faith itself, given to
apostle by Christ and faithfully transmitted to each new generation.
CCC 77-78
• All magisterial teaching is derived from Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture (i.e., the Bible). The belief that God reveals his teachings to humanity via infallible Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture is one basis for infallibility; another basis is that the Holy Spirit guides the Magisterium. Catholics are obliged to believe all that is taught infallibly by the Magisterium with the assent of faith (fides divina), i.e. with the fullness of their faith.
• “These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles….” - Acts 2:42
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•The Magisterium is protected from error The Magisterium is protected from error and guided by the Holy Spirit who and guided by the Holy Spirit who
“reminds and guides to all truth” “reminds and guides to all truth” thereby thereby gives us certainty in matters of doctrine ; gives us certainty in matters of doctrine ;
(John 16:12-13)(John 16:12-13)
•“ “ and whatever you bind on earth will be and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you bound in heaven, and whatever you
loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
•Matthew 16:19Matthew 16:19
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•The Magisterium teaches on The Magisterium teaches on Morals and Morals and FaithFaith that are that are necessary for Salvationnecessary for Salvation;;
•The Church existed before the New The Church existed before the New Testament – All Teachings on faith and Testament – All Teachings on faith and morals necessary for Salvation came morals necessary for Salvation came
from the Church;from the Church;
According to the teaching of the First Vatican Council and According to the teaching of the First Vatican Council and Catholic tradition, the conditions required for Catholic tradition, the conditions required for ex cathedraex cathedra teaching are as follows:teaching are as follows:
1.1. "the Roman Pontiff“"the Roman Pontiff“
2.2. "speaks ex cathedra" ("that is, when in the discharge of "speaks ex cathedra" ("that is, when in the discharge of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, and his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, and by virtue of his supreme apostolic authority….")by virtue of his supreme apostolic authority….")
3.3. "he defines“"he defines“
4.4. "that a doctrine concerning faith or morals" "that a doctrine concerning faith or morals"
5.5. "must be held by the whole Church""must be held by the whole Church"
In Catholic theology, the Latin phrase ex cathedra, literally means "from the chair", refers to a
teaching by the pope that is considered to
be made with the intention of invoking
infallibility.
The "chair" referred to is not a literal chair, but
refers metaphorically to the pope's position, or office, as the official teacher of Catholic
doctrine: the chair was the symbol of the teacher in the ancient world, and
bishops to this day have a cathedra, a seat or throne,
as a symbol of their teaching and governing
authority
1.1. DEPOSIT OF FAITH;DEPOSIT OF FAITH;2.2. DOGMAS; DOGMAS; 3.3. DOCTRINES;DOCTRINES;4.4. DISCIPLINES;DISCIPLINES; 5.5. DEVOTIONS.DEVOTIONS.
Holy Scripture AND Sacred Tradition, Holy Scripture AND Sacred Tradition, recognized and deliniated by recognized and deliniated by
the Magisterium. the Magisterium. Cannot be added to or subtracted from.Cannot be added to or subtracted from.
Teaching of Faith or Morals, Teaching of Faith or Morals,
derived from the Deposit of Faith. derived from the Deposit of Faith.
Propagated by Propagated by ex cathedra pronouncement ex cathedra pronouncement of reigning of reigning Pontiff or by a ecumenical council of the Church's Pontiff or by a ecumenical council of the Church's
bishops in turn ratified by reigning Pontiff. bishops in turn ratified by reigning Pontiff.
Cannot contradict Deposit of Faith or prior Dogma. Cannot contradict Deposit of Faith or prior Dogma.
Teaching of the Church on Faith and Morals. Teaching of the Church on Faith and Morals.
Binding on all Catholics while propagated. Binding on all Catholics while propagated.
Can be altered, modified, abandoned, even Can be altered, modified, abandoned, even condemned. condemned.
Doctrine RARELY becomes Dogma. Doctrine RARELY becomes Dogma.
NOT infallible NOT infallible rules of behavior, rules of behavior,
binding on all Catholics while propagated, designed binding on all Catholics while propagated, designed with the intent to keep believers with the intent to keep believers
"on the straight and narrow". "on the straight and narrow".
Includes Lenten rules of fasting & priestly celibacy. Can Includes Lenten rules of fasting & priestly celibacy. Can be relaxed, altered, or abolished. be relaxed, altered, or abolished.
Private practice of prayers, meditations, Private practice of prayers, meditations,
and disciplines, in accordance to Church approval. and disciplines, in accordance to Church approval.
Includes 99% of Marian devotions, belief in approved Includes 99% of Marian devotions, belief in approved apparitions or visions (Private Revelation), First apparitions or visions (Private Revelation), First
Saturdays, Stations of the Cross, etc... Saturdays, Stations of the Cross, etc...
•ENCYCLICAL LETTERS;ENCYCLICAL LETTERS;•ENCYCLICAL EPISTLES; ENCYCLICAL EPISTLES; •APOSTOLIC EXHORTATIONS;APOSTOLIC EXHORTATIONS;•APOSTOLIC LETTERS;APOSTOLIC LETTERS; •APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTIONAPOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION
• Encyclical Letter — This, by definition, is a letter addressed primarily to the bishops of the Universal Church and through them as teachers of the Faith to the whole People of God. It may address questions of faith and morals, an event or the memorial of an event or previous encyclical, or even the situation of a particular group or country.
• Encyclical Epistle — This type of document is more rarely issued than an encyclical letter, but it is very similar. The primary difference is that instead of being addressed to all the bishops, it is usually addressed to the bishops of a particular region or country.
• Apostolic Exhortation — This type of papal writing is, as it conveys, an exhortation. This means that it addresses a particular audience and is an encouragement to some particular good. A perfect example is Familiaris Consortio, by John Paul II. This was a letter to families “exhorting” them to live the message of the Gospel in their vocation as a family. As such, it contained a beautiful, rich teaching on what it means to live out the vocation of marriage.
• Apostolic Letter — An apostolic letter can be addressed to anyone, often the whole People of God explicitly and can be on a variety of themes. It may concern the erection of a basilica. Another good example is John Paul II’s apostolic letter, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, which was a letter from the Pope to the whole Church relating his wishes and instructions on how to prepare for the year 2000, a year he was proclaiming to be a Jubilee year.
• Apostolic Constitution — This type of writing is used to promulgate some official document. It is often considered a legislative in nature. Two ideal examples of these are Fidei Depositum, which promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Sacrae Disciplinae Leges, which promulgated the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
““gates of hades will not gates of hades will not prevail against the prevail against the Church” Church” (Matt. 16:18) (Matt. 16:18) and and the Church is "the the Church is "the household of God, which household of God, which is the Church of the is the Church of the living God, living God, the pillar and the pillar and bulwark of the truthbulwark of the truth” ” (1 Tim. 3:15). (1 Tim. 3:15).
He guided the Israelites on their escape from Egypt
by giving them a Pillar of fire Pillar of fire to light their way across the
dark wilderness (Exodus. 13:21).
Today he guides us through the darkness of this world with his Pillar of Truth, Pillar of Truth, The
Catholic Church. (1 Tim 3:15)
Everything in the Everything in the Bible?Bible?
•"But the word of the Lord abides "But the word of the Lord abides for ever.’ That word is the good for ever.’ That word is the good news which was preached to you" news which was preached to you" (1 Pet. 1:25) (1 Pet. 1:25) St. PeterSt. Peter
•"So faith comes from what is "So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ" by the preaching of Christ" (Rom. 10:17).(Rom. 10:17).
•““And what you have heard from And what you have heard from me through many witnesses me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well”be able to teach others as well”( 2 Tim 2:2) ( 2 Tim 2:2)
•"stand firm and hold to the "stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by us, either by word of mouth or by letter" by letter" (2 Thess. 2:15). (2 Thess. 2:15).
First of all you must understand First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture this, that no prophecy of scripture
is a matter of one's own is a matter of one's own interpretation.interpretation.( 2 Peter 1:20)( 2 Peter 1:20)
There are some things in them hard There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant to understand, which the ignorant
and unstable twist to their own and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other destruction, as they do the other
scriptures. scriptures. (2 Peter 3 :16)(2 Peter 3 :16)
So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "How can I, unless some one guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:31-31
Council of Jerusalem – Acts 15
•she proclaims the fullness of the faith.;
•She administers the totality of the means of salvation in the 7 Sacraments;
•She is sent out to all peoples.
•She speaks to all men.
•She encompasses all times.
•She is 'missionary of her very nature' " (CCC no. 868).
• The Catholic Church considers all The Catholic Church considers all goodness and truth found in goodness and truth found in these religions as “a preparation these religions as “a preparation for the Gospel and given by him for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they who enlightens all men that they at length have life. (CCC 843)at length have life. (CCC 843)
• Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience – those too may achieve eternal salvation. (CCC 847)
• "Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men."(CCC 848)
“So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Phil 2:12
‘Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord" shall enter the
Kingdom of heaven’
(Matt. 7:21)."
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up
for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that
Day"
(2 Tim. 4:7-8)
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