General question about Catholics...

[bloodofthelamb12]

Hey guys, what's up? I've got a couple of questions if you guys don't mind answering them:

1.) Could someone explain to me what role the sacraments play in a Catholic's life according to the Church's doctrine? As I understand it, your belief is that they have something to do with the allotment of grace to each of those who participate in each one; but I have no idea what that actually means.

2.) I haven't heard any reference to it by my Catholic friends at school, but does the Church still hold to the old teachings regarding purgatory?

3.) Does the present day Catholic Church still believe in Augustine's teaching that if an infant dies without having first been christened, they're condemnation is certain?

4.) And this is the one that scares me more than a little bit; Did the Church really agree at Vatican II that Christians, Muslims, and Jews each had their own way of getting to Heaven, and that everyone's worked? I heard talk about Vatican II getting thrown around back when Mel Gibson's faith was the talk of all the news people, and I think that's one of the things that got said: Is it true?

5.) Theoretical: If the authority of the Pope/Vatican ever conflicted with Scripture, which would you consider to have greater authority? Don't get mad, guys, I'm not looking for a debate; I'm just curious what you would each do.

Thanks to all who answer, and if you only answer one, it's fine; I'm seeking knowledge, regardless of how much I find. God bless you all, guys, and thanks for whatever replies I get.

signed your curious brother;
Caleb

 

[frettr00]

I can answer a few..


1.) Could someone explain to me what role the sacraments play in a Catholic's life according to the Church's doctrine? As I understand it, your belief is that they have something to do with the allotment of grace to each of those who participate in each one; but I have no idea what that actually means.

Grace as in spiritual gifts from God. An example would be, you recieve graces from going to confession, those graces will help you to resist sins that you struggle with.

2.) I haven't heard any reference to it by my Catholic friends at school, but does the Church still hold to the old teachings regarding purgatory?

Yes, but you won't hear it mentioned much at Mass. It's something you'd have to do more personal research into unless you've had Catholic schooling or classes.

3.) - Not sure on this one

4.) - Or this one

5.) Theoretical: If the authority of the Pope/Vatican ever conflicted with Scripture, which would you consider to have greater authority? Don't get mad, guys, I'm not looking for a debate; I'm just curious what you would each do.

Scripture.

 

[ps139]

Hello Caleb

2.) I haven't heard any reference to it by my Catholic friends at school, but does the Church still hold to the old teachings regarding purgatory?

Yes. We believe purgatory is a process of purification, or final sanctification, that occurs for many before entrance into Heaven, because no trace of sin can enter heaven. Even though our sins have been forgiven, we must by sanctified completely before we can enter the Kingdom.

3.) Does the present day Catholic Church still believe in Augustine's teaching that if an infant dies without having first been christened, they're condemnation is certain?

I'm pretty sure Augustine believed in "limbo," and not hell for the unbaptized babies. He makes reference to limbo in Confessions.
With unbaptized infants, we trust in God's mercy.

 

[Michelina]

Hey guys, what's up? I've got a couple of questions if you guys don't mind answering them:

2.) I haven't heard any reference to it by my Catholic friends at school, but does the Church still hold to the old teachings regarding purgatory?

Yes.

3.) Does the present day Catholic Church still believe in Augustine's teaching that if an infant dies without having first been christened, they're condemnation is certain?

No.

4.) And this is the one that scares me more than a little bit; Did the Church really agree at Vatican II that Christians, Muslims, and Jews each had their own way of getting to Heaven, and that everyone's worked? I heard talk about Vatican II getting thrown around back when Mel Gibson's faith was the talk of all the news people, and I think that's one of the things that got said: Is it true?

"Outside the Church there is no salvation"

846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers?

Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body:

Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.

847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:

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.

848 "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."

5.) Theoretical: If the authority of the Pope/Vatican ever conflicted with Scripture, which would you consider to have greater authority? Don't get mad, guys, I'm not looking for a debate; I'm just curious what you would each do.

The Church alone may definetively interpet SS.

 

[frettr00]

I'm pretty sure Augustine believed in "limbo," and not hell for the unbaptized babies. He makes reference to limbo in Confessions.
With unbaptized infants, we trust in God's mercy.

I think that'd also apply to aborted babies as well since the soul is formed at conception.

 

[Benedicta00]

1.) Could someone explain to me what role the sacraments play in a Catholic's life according to the Church's doctrine? As I understand it, your belief is that they have something to do with the allotment of grace to each of those who participate in each one; but I have no idea what that actually means.

It means that Christ established, instituted certain signs that he uses to works through to confer his grace on us.

Take baptism, the water does not save us, but the water is the means that Christ uses to confer the grace of redemption onto us.

2.) I haven't heard any reference to it by my Catholic friends at school, but does the Church still hold to the old teachings regarding purgatory?

The Church teaches purgatory, yes. It has never changed. I am unaware of any new teachings regarding it.

3.) Does the present day Catholic Church still believe in Augustine's teaching that if an infant dies without having first been christened, they're condemnation is certain?

Augustine is a doctor of the Church but he held only an opinion. This was something Christ was silent on and therefore, so is the Church but we can share in Augustine’s opinion because it does not contradict Catholic teaching. As long as we do not offer it as a truth we can believe that I we wish.

The official teaching is we don’t not know what happens to the unbaptized babies. We have hope that God provides a way of salvation to them but we can also believe that maybe not, since they have not been baptized. Either belief is pious opinion and not a teaching of the Church, the teaching of the Church is, "We do not know."

4.) And this is the one that scares me more than a little bit; Did the Church really agree at Vatican II that Christians, Muslims, and Jews each had their own way of getting to Heaven, and that everyone's worked? I heard talk about Vatican II getting thrown around back when Mel Gibson's faith was the talk of all the news people, and I think that's one of the things that got said: Is it true?

No the Church clearly teaches there is no salvation outside of Christ. Again we believe God through Christ can provide a way only known to him. All we say is the Jesus is the savior and if anyone is saved, it is through Him.

5.) Theoretical: If the authority of the Pope/Vatican ever conflicted with Scripture, which would you consider to have greater authority? Don't get mad, guys, I'm not looking for a debate; I'm just curious what you would each do.

It never has so far so it's a moot issue. If. ‘if’ was a skiff, we’d all go rowing… my grandmother used to say.

 

[FullyMT]

Sorry for making this rather brief...

1.) Could someone explain to me what role the sacraments play in a Catholic's life according to the Church's doctrine? As I understand it, your belief is that they have something to do with the allotment of grace to each of those who participate in each one; but I have no idea what that actually means.

The sacraments confer actual grace, make a mark on the soul (that lasts either permanently or for a certain period of time pending on sacrament), and remind us of Jesus Christ (in different ways pending on the sacrament).

2.) I haven't heard any reference to it by my Catholic friends at school, but does the Church still hold to the old teachings regarding purgatory?

What would the "old teachings" be? We believe that if you die in a state of grace, but have a soul still slightly stained by sin, the soul must be purified and purged from that sin before entering heaven. If you go to purgatory, you WILL go to heaven.

3.) Does the present day Catholic Church still believe in Augustine's teaching that if an infant dies without having first been christened, they're condemnation is certain?

We pray for God's mercy on the child's soul. We don't know for certain what happens, and we cannot say with certainty that any one perso is in hell.

4.) And this is the one that scares me more than a little bit; Did the Church really agree at Vatican II that Christians, Muslims, and Jews each had their own way of getting to Heaven, and that everyone's worked? I heard talk about Vatican II getting thrown around back when Mel Gibson's faith was the talk of all the news people, and I think that's one of the things that got said: Is it true?

The only way to heaven is Jesus Christ. If a person cooperates with the graces of God has given them, it is possible they will be with God in Heaven.

5.) Theoretical: If the authority of the Pope/Vatican ever conflicted with Scripture, which would you consider to have greater authority? Don't get mad, guys, I'm not looking for a debate; I'm just curious what you would each do.

They wouldn't make such a statement, and if they did, then Scripture and priorly stated Tradition would be put first.

Ok, sorry that this is rather incomplete...but I'm a bit rushed. Hope that helped though

 

[Benedicta00]

5.) Theoretical: If the authority of the Pope/Vatican ever conflicted with Scripture, which would you consider to have greater authority? Don't get mad, guys, I'm not looking for a debate; I'm just curious what you would each do.

Scripture.
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We do not regard scripture is a higher authority than the Church. It is a false dichotomy to even pit one against the other since when the Church speaks, she does so with the voice of Christ. “He who hears you, hears me…and the one who sent me.”

 

[frettr00]

It's a "what if" question, so I answered accordingly. I know no true pope would speak in such a way.

 

[Benedicta00]

It's a "what if" question, so I answered accordingly. I know no true pope would speak in such a way.

That’s why I answered, “If, if was a skiff we would all go rowing.” You can’t answer that one. If a pope contradicted scripture he would be a very bad pope but the thing is, it ain’t going to happen no matter how bad he is. We have had a few doozie popes over the last 2000 years out of 264, maybe 4 were bad (?) but they never taught any contradictions, they just behaved badly. What was asked has not happened in 2000 years and it never will because the Church, meaning who ever sits in Peter’s chair is infallible when it comes to teaching faith and morals handed down from Christ whether that be through his written word or oral. They never have and nver will/can't contradict one another because they are one in the very same.

 

[frettr00]

Ok, I understand. I was thinking of the crusades era as an exception, but then you mentioned that even though the behavior isn't right the moral teachings are.

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

5.) Theoretical: If the authority of the Pope/Vatican ever conflicted with Scripture, which would you consider to have greater authority? Don't get mad, guys, I'm not looking for a debate; I'm just curious what you would each do.

If it did happen in a offical way then my answer would be niether would have any authority left in it and so falls christianity to the way side like many pegan relgiions before it.

For if the Church contridictes Scirpture its claim to authoirty and to guidince of the holy spirit is false.

If the Church is false so is SCripture since it promises the gates of Hail Shall never previal and that the Holy Spirit Guide's our Lord's church.


If the Church and Scripture lose all authoirty then does all of christiainty.

 

[Benedicta00]

If it did happen in a offical way then my answer would be niether would have any authority left in it and so falls christianity to the way side like many pegan relgiions before it.

For if the Church contridictes Scirpture its claim to authoirty and to guidince of the holy spirit is false.

If the Church is false so is SCripture since it promises the gates of Hail Shall never previal and that the Holy Spirit Guide's our Lord's church.


If the Church and Scripture lose all authoirty then does all of christiainty.

great post arron

 

[RedTulipMom]

good answers!! I still learn everyday about my Catholic faith!! Woo hoo!
karen

 

[thereselittleflower]

Hey guys, what's up? I've got a couple of questions if you guys don't mind answering them:

1.) Could someone explain to me what role the sacraments play in a Catholic's life according to the Church's doctrine? As I understand it, your belief is that they have something to do with the allotment of grace to each of those who participate in each one; but I have no idea what that actually means.

Hi BOTL!

Sacraments are pretty special . . they are physical elements through which God has chosen to work through to convey, infuse, Divine Sanctifying Grace into our lives. . there is no "allotment" . . but the more we participate, the more we respond to Grace already given by participating, the more we participate in God's Divine Sanctifying Grace, in His Divine Life . .

Does this make sense?

Because we are beings living in a spiritual world, God meets us on all levels, including the phsycial . .

2.) I haven't heard any reference to it by my Catholic friends at school, but does the Church still hold to the old teachings regarding purgatory?

We still beleive in purgatory . . but I do not know specifically waht old teachings you are referring to . . .

3.) Does the present day Catholic Church still believe in Augustine's teaching that if an infant dies without having first been christened, they're condemnation is certain?

No, the Church does not beleive this . . they are entrusted to God . .

4.) And this is the one that scares me more than a little bit; Did the Church really agree at Vatican II that Christians, Muslims, and Jews each had their own way of getting to Heaven, and that everyone's worked? I heard talk about Vatican II getting thrown around back when Mel Gibson's faith was the talk of all the news people, and I think that's one of the things that got said: Is it true?

No . . One has to be in relationship to the body of Christ to be saved . . We believe there is no salvation outside the Church . . whether formally joined to the Catholic Church or informally by means of baptism for Chirstians . . and when it comes to others, we leave this to God . . we do not say that a muslim can go to heaven because they are a good muslim . .

It has been described this way . . Christ and His Church is like the sun . . and those who are not part of His Church, but in relationship to His Church in some fashion are like the planets .. some being closer some further away . .

What we do not know is the state of each one's individual heart . . and that those, who through invincible ignorance die outside of visible membership within the Church may attaing salvation through Christ in ways we do not completely understand . . But since only God knows the heart, we do not know who they are . .

A simple way of expressing this is that we are held accountable for the truth we know . . .

5.) Theoretical: If the authority of the Pope/Vatican ever conflicted with Scripture, which would you consider to have greater authority? Don't get mad, guys, I'm not looking for a debate; I'm just curious what you would each do.

You are asking a question which has no basis in reality . . We beleive the teachings of the Church, the formal teachings which all are held to believe, have never been, and will never be in conflict with anything in scripture . . . so to answer your hypothetical question is to try to answer a truly hypothetical question that would never arise . . .

But to answer your more obvious question . . how the scriptures relate to the Teaching of the Church in an authoritative way . .

The scripture need an interpreter . . . they have to be interpreted, whether by you or someone else . . . that is the way our brains are hardwired . . there is nothing we can do about this . .

So it is never an issue of the scriptures themselves being in conflict, but one's interpretation of the scriptures being in conflict . . and that is very possible . .


We believe that God has not only provided infallible scripture, but also an infallible itnterpreter of that scripture . . The Church . . The Pillar and Foundation of the Truth according to Paul's words . .

Remember, the teaching of the Church came first, the scriptures later . .

And the Church would have never canonized scripture that was in conflict with its teachings . . . and the teachings are the same now as they were then . . some better understood , but still the same teachings . .

Thanks to all who answer, and if you only answer one, it's fine; I'm seeking knowledge, regardless of how much I find. God bless you all, guys, and thanks for whatever replies I get.

signed your curious brother;
Caleb

I hope this was helpful . .. just ask questions . . it is wonderful to have people come who really want to understand our faith better.



Peace in Him!

 

[jukesk9]

I think it's important to point out that the Church has never, ever embraced the idea of limbo. It was thrown around by some theologians but never taught by the Church. As the Catechism states, the Church trusts the unbaptized infant to the Mercy of God.

 

[Benedicta00]

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