DOGMA OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

By Edward Matulanya 

In Roman Catholic theology, dogma is a divinely revealed truth in matters of faith or morals that the Church’s Magisterium formally defines as binding for all the faithful. Such teachings are drawn from Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition and are proclaimed with the charism of infallibility by the Pope or an ecumenical council (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1997/2019, §§88–91). Catholics must give these truths the assent of divine and Catholic faith—an unconditional belief—because they rest on God’s own authority as revealed and safeguarded by the Church (Second Vatican Council, 1964/2012, Lumen gentium, §25).

Dogmas do not change in substance, though their understanding can deepen over time as the Church reflects more fully on revelation (CCC, 1997/2019, §94). Classic examples include the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Immaculate Conception, and the Assumption of Mary.

Major Dogmas of the Catholic Church

1. The Trinity


Trinity
Trinity

The one God exists eternally in three distinct but consubstantial Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1997/2019, §§232–267).

2. The Incarnation of the Word

Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became fully human while remaining fully divine—“true God and true man” (CCC, 1997/2019, §§464–469; Council of Chalcedon, 451/2012).

3. Hypostatic Union

In Christ, the divine and human natures are united in one divine Person “without confusion, change, division, or separation” (CCC, 1997/2019, §467).

4. The Paschal Mystery

Jesus resurrection
Jesus resurrection

Christ’s saving passion, death, resurrection, and ascension accomplished humanity’s redemption and opened eternal life to believers (CCC, 1997/2019, §§571–655).

5. The Church as One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic

The Church, founded by Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, is the universal sacrament of salvation and possesses a unique teaching authority (Second Vatican Council, 1964/2012, Lumen gentium, §§8–9).

6. The Seven Sacraments

Jesus Babtism
Jesus Babtism 

Christ instituted seven sacraments as channels of grace: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (CCC, 1997/2019, §§1113–1134).

7. Transubstantiation

In the Eucharist, the entire substance of bread and wine is changed into the Body and Blood of Christ, though the appearances of bread and wine remain (Council of Trent, 1551/2012, Session 13, ch. 4).

Council of Trent. (2012). Decree on the Most Holy Eucharist (1551). In N. P. Tanner (Ed.), Decrees of the ecumenical councils (Vol. 2, pp. 693–698). Georgetown University Press.

8. Original Sin and the Necessity of Grace

All humans inherit original sin from Adam and require God’s grace for salvation (CCC, 1997/2019, §§396–409).

9. Marian Dogmas

Our Lady
Our Lady 

Divine Motherhood: Mary is truly the Mother of God (Theotokos).

Perpetual Virginity: Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after Christ’s birth.

Immaculate Conception: Mary was conceived without original sin (Pius IX, 1854/2012).

Assumption: At the end of her earthly life, Mary was taken body and soul into heavenly glory (Pius XII, 1950/2012).

10. Last Things (Eschatology)

There will be a resurrection of the dead, a final judgment, and the eternal realities of heaven, purgatory, and hell (CCC, 1997/2019, §§988–1060).

Summary

Catholic dogma is not an arbitrary list but the Church’s authoritative articulation of divine revelation. These teachings—Trinity, Christ’s Incarnation and Redemption, the sacraments, Marian privileges, and the ultimate destiny of humanity—are binding truths that all Catholics must accept with “the obedience of faith” (CCC, 1997/2019, §144).

References

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (2019). Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.; United States Catholic Conference, Trans.). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. (Original work published 1997)

Council of Chalcedon. (2012). Definition of faith (451). In A. Flannery (Ed.), Vatican Council II: The basic sixteen documents (Rev. ed., pp. 842–843). Costello Publishing.

Pius IX. (2012). Ineffabilis Deus [Definition of the Immaculate Conception] (1854). In J. Neuner & J. Dupuis (Eds.), The Christian faith in the doctrinal documents of the Catholic Church (7th ed., pp. 207–210). Alba House.

Pius XII. (2012). Munificentissimus Deus [Definition of the Assumption] (1950). In J. Neuner & J. Dupuis (Eds.), The Christian faith in the doctrinal documents of the Catholic Church (7th ed., pp. 215–218). Alba House.

Second Vatican Council. (2012). Lumen gentium [Dogmatic constitution on the Church]. In A. Flannery (Ed.), Vatican Council II: The basic sixteen documents (Rev. ed., pp. 1–95). Costello Publishing. (Original work published 1964)

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