FAITH OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Image of Catholic Church at Vatican

By Edward Matulanya

Here are Meaning, believe, founder, sacraments, teaching source, Morals, source of faith, History and key teaching of Roman Catholic Church.

1. Meaning of Roman Catholic Church 

The Roman Catholic Church means the universal Christian community under the leadership of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope).

2. Understand the Core Beliefs of the Roman Catholic Faith

The Roman Catholic Church belief in one God in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1997, §234; Matt. 28:19).

Catholics hold that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, whose incarnation, death, and resurrection bring salvation to humanity (CCC, 1997, §§461–463; John 1:14).

2. Founder of Roman Catholic Church 

The Church, founded by Christ on the apostles with the pope as Peter’s successor, is “the universal sacrament of salvation” (CCC, 1997, §774; Matt. 16:18–19).

Salvation is a gift of grace received through faith and expressed in works of love (CCC, 1997, §§161, 1987; Eph. 2:8-10).

Catholics believe in life after death; heaven, purgatory, hell and the resurrection of the body (CCC, 1997, §1022).

3. Foundations of Catholic Doctrine

The faith is handed on through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, interpreted by the Magisterium (CCC, 1997, §§85, 97, 133; Vatican Council II, 1965).

4. Sacraments of Roman Catholic Church Shapes Spiritual Life

The Church celebrates seven sacraments as channels of grace: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (CCC, 1997, §§1114–1117, 1210).

5. Moral Teachings of Roman Catholic Church and Their Impact on Daily Life

Catholic moral life is shaped by the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes (CCC, 1997, §§1717, 2062) and nourished by prayer, especially the Lord’s Prayer and the Eucharistic liturgy (CCC, 1997, §§2559, 2759–2865).

6. Source of Catholic Church faith

The primary source of the Roman Catholic faith is God’s revelation, in which the Church teaching comes through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, both authentically interpreted by the Magisterium (the teaching authority of the Church).

7. Key teaching of Roman Catholic Church 

The Key Teaching of Roman Catholic Church divided into three main sources; sacred scripture and sacred traditions and Magisterium.

The Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred deposit of the Word of God, committed to the Church… The task of authentically interpreting the Word of God…has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone” (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1997, §§97, 85).

Catholics believe that divine revelation is contained in.

Sacred Scripture; “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16, New American Bible Revised Edition [NABRE], 2011).

Sacred Tradition; The oral teaching of the apostles handed down in the Church (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:15, NABRE, 2011).

The Church’s Magisterium the pope and the bishops in communion with him “serves” the Word of God by faithfully interpreting Scripture and Tradition (CCC, 1997, §86).

8. History of the Roman Catholic Church

I. Origins of the Roman Catholic Church in the Time of Jesus Christ

According to Catholic belief, the Church begins with Jesus Christ and His mission (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1994). Jesus forms a community of disciples and gives them authority to teach and baptize. For example, Jesus chooses the Twelve Apostles (Mark 3:13–19, New Revised Standard Version [NRSV], 1989). Also, Jesus gives them the mission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19–20, NRSV, 1989).

II. Saint Peter and the Apostolic Foundations of the Papacy

The Catholic Church teaches that Saint Peter was appointed leader of the Apostles (Matthew 16:18) and became the first Bishop of Rome (CCC, 1994). For example, Jesus calls Peter the “rock” on which He will build His Church (Matthew 16:18, NRSV, 1989). Also, Early Christian writers considered Peter the leader of the Apostles (Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Romans).

III. Growth of the Early Christian Communities in the Roman Empire

After the Resurrection, Christian communities formed throughout the Roman Empire (Hitchcock, 2012). For example, Paul establishes communities in Corinth, Philippi, and Ephesus (Acts of the Apostles, NRSV, 1989). Also, early Christians gathered in homes to celebrate the Eucharist (Didache, c. 1st century).

IV. The Age of Martyrs and the Church Under Roman Persecution

Christians were periodically persecuted for refusing emperor worship (Frend, 1984). For example, Martyrdom of Saints Perpetua and Felicity ( 203 AD). Also, writings of Ignatius of Antioch encourage faithfulness during persecution.

V. Constantine, the Edict of Milan, and the Rise of a Christian Empire

The Edict of Milan (313 AD) legalized Christianity (Eusebius, Life of Constantine). For example, Construction of major churches, including the early St. Peter’s Basilica. Also, Public Christian worship becomes possible.

VI. Ecumenical Councils and the Development of Christian Doctrine

Church councils clarified teachings on Jesus and the Trinity. For example, Council of Nicaea (325) affirmed Jesus’ divinity (Kelly, 1978). Also, council of Chalcedon (451) taught Christ’s full humanity and full divinity.

VII. The Role of Monasticism in Preserving Faith and Culture

Monasticism protected religious and cultural life during unstable centuries (Lawrence, 2015). For example, St. Benedict’s Rule shaped Western monastic life. Also, Monks preserved Scripture and ancient texts through hand-copying.

VIII. The Medieval Church and the Consolidation of Papal Authority

The papacy grew as a central authority guiding Church life (Tierney, 2011). For example, Gregorian Reforms strengthened Church independence. Also, development of canon law improved the Papacy authority.

IX. The Crusades and Catholic Expansion in the Middle Ages

From the Catholic perspective, the First Crusade began as a response to protect pilgrims and Eastern Christians (Riley-Smith, 2005). For example, Pope Urban II’s sermon at Clermont (1095). Also, Military orders such as the Knights Templar.

X. Renaissance Christianity and Calls for Spiritual Renewal

The Renaissance brought both cultural growth and calls for Church reform (O’Malley, 2013). For example, Spiritual movements like the Oratory of St. Philip Neri and renewed focus on Scripture and education.

XI. The Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation

The Catholic Church responded through reform and clarification (O’Malley, 2013). For example, Council of Trent (1545–1563) defined core doctrines and formation of the Jesuits and renewed missionary work.

XII. Global Missionary Work and the Spread of Catholicism

Missionaries spread Christianity worldwide (Neill, 2004). For example, Francis Xavier in India and Japan and Catholic missions in the Americas built schools and hospitals.

XIII. The Roman Catholic Church in the Modern Era

The Church addressed modern social and political changes. For example, Rerum Novarum (Leo XIII, 1891) defended worker rights and Catholicism expanded rapidly in Africa and Latin America.

XIV. Vatican II and the Renewal of Catholic Life

The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) updated Church practices and encouraged global engagement (Vatican Council II, 1965). For example, Use of local languages in the Mass and emphasis on dialogue with other religions.

XV. Catholicism in the 21st Century: Faith, Unity, and Global Influence

The Church focuses today on global justice, evangelization, and unity (Francis, 2015). For example, Catholic charities serve disaster and medical needs worldwide and teachings emphasize human dignity and care for creation (Laudato Si’).

References 

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1997). Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

Eusebius. (1999). Life of Constantine (A. Cameron & S. Hall, Trans.). Clarendon Press.

Francis. (2015). Laudato Si’: On care for our common home. Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Frend, W. H. C. (1984). The rise of Christianity. Fortress Press.

Hitchcock, J. (2012). History of the Catholic Church: From the apostolic age to the third millennium. Ignatius Press.

Kelly, J. N. D. (1978). Early Christian doctrines (Revised ed.). HarperCollins.

Lawrence, C. H. (2015). Medieval monasticism (4th ed.). Routledge.

Neill, S. (2004). A history of Christian missions. Penguin.

O’Malley, J. W. (2013). Trent: What happened at the Council. Harvard University Press.

Riley-Smith, J. (2005). The Crusades: A history (2nd ed.). Yale University Press.

The Holy Bible, New American Bible Revised Edition. (2011). United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  https://www.usccb.org/bible

Tierney, B. (2011). The crisis of church and state 1050–1300. University of Toronto Press.

Vatican Council II. (1965). Dei verbum [Dogmatic constitution on divine revelation]. In The basic sixteen documents of Vatican Council II (A. Flannery, Trans., Rev. ed.). Pauline Books & Media, 1996.

The Nicene Creed. (381). Profession of faith at the First Council of Constantinople. In The creeds of Christendom (P. Schaff, Ed. & Trans., Vol. 2).