The Catholic Church has remained steadfast on its belief and teaching on several fundamental social and spiritual issues. These are the issues that form the core of Catholic Church teachings. They identify the institution and its faithful worldwide. Though modifications are evident over centuries, the fundamental principles remain intact.
The creation theory followed by Catholics worldwide states that God created the universe in six days and rested on the seventh. Man was created from the soil unlike everything else that was created by the word. Man was later given dominion over everything on earth on behalf of God. He and his wife Eve fell out of favor with God after they sinned. This led to banishment from the Garden of Eden which was paradise.
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 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.
As the definition of marriage changes with advancement in the secular world, the Rome based outfit is under pressure to rethink its stand. A recent debate during the Synod hinted at a change in the stand. With no agreement on inclusion of homosexuals, gays and divorcees, among other scenarios, the original definition remains that of mother, father and children.
The creation theory followed by Catholics worldwide states that God created the universe in six days and rested on the seventh. Man was created from the soil unlike everything else that was created by the word. Man was later given dominion over everything on earth on behalf of God. He and his wife Eve fell out of favor with God after they sinned. This led to banishment from the Garden of Eden which was paradise.
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 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.
As the definition of marriage changes with advancement in the secular world, the Rome based outfit is under pressure to rethink its stand. A recent debate during the Synod hinted at a change in the stand. With no agreement on inclusion of homosexuals, gays and divorcees, among other scenarios, the original definition remains that of mother, father and children.
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