Catholic Faith
What and who is a Catholic?
- Catholics are Christians; this means that they are followers of Jesus Christ;
- They believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, the Son of God, their friend, liberator, Lord and Saviour;
- Catholics believe that Jesus Christ set up the Church (Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 16, verse 18);
- They are ordinary people who have many different jobs, faces and interests;
- The head of the Catholic Community worldwide is Pope Benedict XVI who lives in The Vatican in Rome, Italy.
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Real Lives
What’s it like to be a member of the Catholic Community?
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Practise What You Preach
'Jesus said, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole law, and the Prophets, too."'
Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 22, verses 37 – 40
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The above extract from the New Testament part of the Bible forms the basis of Catholic life; the invitation to love God and our neighbour as ourselves. God is Love and therefore his children (you and I) should try to be witnesses to authentic love, expressed through works of charity and service.
In Summary
A summary of the Catholic Faith can be found in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creed.
The Apostles’ Creed - contains brief statements which express the fundamental basis of Christian belief. According to tradition, it is considered to be a faithful summary of the apostles’ faith; the apostles were the first followers of Jesus Christ. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 194). Article from the Catholic Encyclopaedia
The Nicene Creed was adopted at Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325 to be used as a simple summary of the Christian Faith. Such a summary was needed because during the fourth century A.D. a number of groups were teaching errors and were distorting the message of Christ (known as heretics). The Nicene Creed is accepted by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and major Protestant churches. Article from the Catholic Encyclopaedia
"This Creed is the spiritual seal, our heart's meditation and an ever-present guardian; it is, unquestionably, the treasure of our soul."
(St. Ambrose, Expl. symb. I: PL 17, 1193)
This page was compiled by the Catholic Enquiry Office which provides free information about Catholic spirituality, life and beliefs. See our dedicated website: www.life4seekers.co.uk Alternatively, telephone us on: 020 8458 3316. E-mail: enquiries@life4seekers.co.uk
If you are a Catholic, please see the wide range of resources which are designed to help you share your faith, at: www.caseresources.org.uk Alternatively, telephone us on: 020 8458 3316. E-mail: info@caseresources.org.uk
Links
The following is not exhaustive, but aims to give a general insight into Catholic life and beliefs.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm
Catechism means "teaching". This book provides an authoritative summary of what the Catholic Church teaches. It explains how Catholics can live out the Bible today.
Saving Hope (Spe Salvi)
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals
God is Love (Deus Caritas Est)
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals
Splendour of the Truth (Veritatis Splendour)
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals
The Gift of Scripture
http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk/liturgy/Resources/Scripture/index.html
Cherishing Life
http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/
Human Life (Humanae Vitae)
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals
Documents of Vatican II
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council
Evangelii Nuntiandi
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_exhortations
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