What Is Catholic Christianity?
Catholic Christianity refers to the mainstream Catholic faith, popularly known as Roman Catholicism. It is the world’s largest Christian denomination, and comprises many different types of churches and jurisdictions. The name refers to the centrality of the Catholic Church to the faith, as its doctrine and practices are often seen as the standard to which all other Christian denominations are compared. As part of the Catholic Church’s core teachings, Catholic Christians believe in the Holy Trinity- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and view him as the savior of humanity.
Catholic Christians also practice Transubstantiation, which is the belief that during mass the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. They also participate in many other activities associated with the Roman Catholic Church, such as praying the rosary, partaking in acts of charity and service, attending mass, and resolving conflicts through the use of confession and reconciliation.
Scripture
In Catholic Christian belief, the Bible is seen as the authoritative source of religious doctrine and God’s word. While the bible also contains inspired writings, a large portion of it has been specifically written by authors to teach, evangelize, and explain beliefs. As such, these writings are often referred to as the New Testament.
The New Testament gives an account of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and explains how He is the central figure of Christianity. The New Testament also explains the relationship between man and God in terms of salvation and how it is granted through faith and grace. In addition, the bible serves as a source of guidance and advice to Christians, helping them to live their lives according to God’s will.
Sacraments
The Catholic faith places a particular emphasis on seven distinct sacraments- Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders. These sacrament exist solely for the purpose of providing a more intimate experience with God, and are meant to bring believers closer to Him.
Baptism marks the entrance into the Church, as it is the process of receiving a Christian person, who has formally expressed faith in God, into the fold. It serves to cleanse the soul, freeing it from all past sins.
Reconciliation, commonly known as confession, is where the believer sorts out any distress between themselves and God and seeks atonement. It consists of confessing one’s sins, receiving absolution, and making a sincere repentance.
The Eucharist, or “Holy Communion”, is the central act of Catholic Christian worship and provides a special means of deepening communication with God. It is also referred to as “the source and summit of Christian life”. During this sacrament, the wine and bread are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ, and through participation in the Communion, the Christian is bound to Christ in a special way.
Confirmation marks the completion of a person’s initiation into the Church and celebrates their maturity in faith. It serves to strengthen their bond with the Church, and during the undertaking, God’s Holy Spirit is bestowed upon them to aid in further growth.
Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament of healing the soul, mind and body. It is the process of renewing faith in God and giving comfort in times of suffering and illness.
Matrimony is the marriage of two baptized persons who, with their exchange of vows, commit to a life of unity and selfless service
Finally, Holy Orders is the ordination process through which individuals are made officials of the Church and are given the task of spreading and upholding the faith.
Core Beliefs
At its core, Catholic Christianity believes in the, “creation and the fall of man…redemption, ultimate judgment and the possibility of salvation”. It upholds the faith of the Nicene Creed and the prophetic words of Jesus Christ. It also believes in the authority of the Pope, traditional teachings, and the belief in the divine mysteries of the faith.
The Catholic faith also recognizes both the divine and human natures of Jesus Christ and that He is both fully human and divine. It holds that Jesus rose from the dead and redeemed humanity through His suffering and death, thus freeing us from all our sins. It also recognizes that Jesus provides the only way to eternal life and must be accepted as both Savior and Lord.
Another central belief is that of the Holy Spirit- the third person of the Trinity. According to Catholics, The Holy Spirit is seen as the active force behind God’s plan of salvation. He is believed to intercede for us when we are too weak to do so ourselves. Finally, The Catholic Church believes that the Bible is the inspired written word of God and serves as a guide for all its teachings.
Doctrine
The Catholic Church has a long and intricate belief system. This faith has been specifically developed to provide guidance and structure for followers. Important doctrines include the teachings of the Church Fathers, the infallibility of the Church’s interpretations of Scripture, the primacy of the Pope and the primacy of bishops, the sacraments, and the notion of the communion of Saints.
The Church Fathers are seen as the visionaries and authors of the doctrine and are given a special reverence within the Church. Their teachings, as well as beliefs outside of this that were formulated over time, are seen as a source of understanding and guidance. Many of their writings have been passed down through the centuries and form the basis of Catholic teachings.
The Catholic Church also believes in the infallibility of the Church’s interpretations of the Bible, which is why it has official teachings and doctrines on various topics. This infallibility is seen as necessary to provide consistency and unity in interpretation, helping to resolve any potential disputes between believers.
The Catholic Church also places an importance on the primacy of the pope, as his decisions and teachings are seen as canonical and endorsed by God himself. The Pope is believed to be the earthly usher of God’s righteousness, meant to provide guidance and direction in interpreting the scriptures and enforcing Church teaching.
Catholic doctrine also emphasizes the primacy of bishops and the communion of Saints. The communion of Saints is the belief that all individuals, living and dead, are united in Christ through the grace of the Holy Spirit and thus can still maintain a sense of unity with each other. This is why we often see requests for prayers for the dead in Catholic rites.
Concept of Sin
Within the Catholic Church, humans are seen as being born in sin and dependent upon grace and the intervention of God to receive salvation. This means that without divine intervention and accepting His presence, a person cannot be saved. Thus, the overarching idea within Catholic Christianity is that original sin is a condition that affects all of humanity, and that in order to stay true to the teachings of Christ, they must be made aware of the grave errors they have committed.
The Catholic Church views sin categorically and outlines them into three types: mortal sins, venial sins and original sin. Mortal sins are the most serious offences, resulting from a conscious action taken with full knowledge and also corrupt the individual’s soul, rendering them ineligible for the gift of grace. Venial sins are less serious offenses and are those acts which are generally unintentional but still have a moral consequence. And lastly, Original sin is the inherited state of sinfulness passed down from our first ancestors- Adam and Eve.
In order to receive the gift of grace and redemption, Catholics must name and confess their sins. Doing so grants the individual absolution, meaning they are forgiven and cleansed of their transgressions. This absolution can be obtained by participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a process which involves confessing to a priest and expressing regret for sins committed.
Fundamental Practices
Apart from the sacraments, there are also a number of fundamental practices that Catholics adhere to. These include attending mass, saying the rosary, participating in devotions and prayers, as well as charitable works.
Attending mass is seen as a means of providing thanks to God, receiving his grace and healing, as well as expressing their sorrows, aspirations, and joys. During the mass, a celebration of the Eucharist or Communion takes place. The rosary is highly encouraged, as it consists of the reciting of prayers asking for God’s protection and guidance. Furthermore, daily devotions and prayers of various forms are encouraged, such as praying the Angelus.
Pope Francis, among other teachings, emphasizes the need for Catholics to make charity a priority in their lives. Catholics should strive to help their neighbor and alleviate the suffering of those who are less fortunate. They should also strive to spread truth and goodness.
Catholic Mysticism
While still within the bounds of the Catholic Christian faith, a message of mysticism has been espoused in more recent years. Mysticism is seen as the experience of a supernatural connection with God, and has its roots in the teachings of the Early Church Fathers. The concept of practicing with a “Mystical Catholicism” has been espoused in several documents, books, as well as by prominent mystical theologians.
The tenants of Catholic mysticism, as outlined by these leaders, includes the reading and studying of scripture, contemplation and the counsel of wise spiritual guides, the practice of asceticism, the making of vows and promises to God, and a general deepening of the relationship between man and God.
Catholic Social Teachings
The Catholic Church is not only concerned with spiritual and moral guidance, but also with the greater good of humanity. As such, it has laid down social principles meant to help foster greater understanding between individuals and groups, and also to provide a framework for different societies to build upon.
The main themes of Catholic social teachings are connectedness, respect, human rights and dignities, stewardship and the preferential option for the poor. Connectedness refers to the idea that all people are connected and have the responsibility to care for one another. Respect is laid out as an ideal to promote the true value of each person, regardless of social status, race, or gender.
Additionally, Catholic Social Teachings reflect upon the idea that human rights and dignities must be respected, and that each person is given the opportunity to live with as much security and prosperity as possible. In terms of stewardship, Catholics are encouraged to act responsibly with the resources given to them, and to not exploit, abuse, or discard the gifts of creation, but rather to use them to their full potential. Finally the Preferential Option for the Poor encourages Catholics to strive to meet the needs of the poor and downtrodden, in whatever ways they can.
Closing
Catholic Christianity is a deeply complex and intricate faith, populated by a rich and vibrant history of individuals, beliefs and practices. From its base doctrine to its social teachings, this faith has provided individuals with guidance, comfort, and support. It is a faith that adheres to strict rules of doctrine and doctrine, yet still takes into account the imperfections of our human nature and has the ability to forgive and reconcile. It simultaneously pushes believers to be their best, while urging them to remain humble, thankful, and open to the divine gifts of grace that God gives us everyday.
