RE Exam Notes

Confirmation

The sacrament that gives people courage to do what they know is right, defend the truth, and profess their faith in Jesus.

Holy Orders

The sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time.

Anointing of the Sick

Celebrates faith in the healing touch of Christ in our lives.

Marriage

Joins a man and woman in a covenant for life, for the good of the spouses and the procreation of children.

Baptism

Joins a person to Christ's Church, cleansing them of all sin and granting sanctifying grace.

Eucharist

The sacrament that represents the greatest proof of God’s love, where Christ becomes one with us.

Reconciliation

Through this sacrament, we receive healing and an opportunity to turn back to God.

Council of Jerusalem

A conference around 48-49 CE that addressed the inclusion of Gentiles in the Church.

Constantine

Emperor who, after witnessing a religious sign, influenced the growth of Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Council of Nicea

The first ecumenical council of the church that defined the nature of Jesus and produced the Nicene Creed.

Conscience

The secret core and sanctuary of a person that calls them to goodness.

Sin

Any deliberate thought, word, or action against God’s law.

Venial sin

A sin that weakens a person's relationship with God.

Mortal sin

A sin that completely separates a person from God destroying the gift of charity.

Indulgences

Pardons issued by the pope that people could buy to reduce a soul’s time in purgatory.

Counter-Reformation

The Catholic Church’s series of reforms in response to the Protestant Reformation.

Council of Trent

A meeting that redefined Catholic doctrines and addressed church abuses.

Justice

Fairness, a sign of maturity, and an important principle in Catholic Social Teaching.

Social Justice

The principle of treating everyone fairly and with respect regarding their basic needs.

Natural Law

The law inscribed in human nature, guiding moral behavior.

Vocation

The particular life calling of every person by God leading to various lifestyles.

Ecumenism

The principle aimed at promoting unity among the world's Christian Churches.

Apostolic Succession

The passing on of spiritual gifts and authority from the Apostles to their successors.

Magisterium

The teaching authority of the Catholic Church, consisting of the Pope and bishops.

Original Justice

The state of harmony between humans and God before Original Sin.

Four Harmonies

The relationships that were meant to exist in harmony: with God, with others, with oneself, and with creation.

Conditions of Sin

‘Was the thought, word or action against God’s Law?’

‘Did I know that it was against the law of God?’

‘Did I freely choose to go against God’s Law’e

Elements of Moral Decision

Action; Actions that obey God’s law are morally good

Intention; It is morally wrong to perform an action for the wrong intention, even if the action is good.

Circumstances: Sometimes, an action can be morally right but wrong in some circumstances.

Principles of conscience

Everyone is obliged to form their conscience: every one is obliged to by discipline to form or mould their conscience through discipline, training and instruction.

Everyone is obliged to follow a sincere conscience: God created humans to be good - people are obliged to obey what their conscience tells them is the right thing to do.

Conscience does not decide right or wrong: only God knows he determines what is right or wrong, conscience is to discern where the action conforms to God’s Law.

A good end does not justify immoral means: in every case that requires moral judgment, you need to consider not just the good end but the way you have achieved it.

Challenges to recognising the voice of conscience

Peer pressure

Social Trends

Strong emotions

Habits, virtues and vices

Inadequate moral formations:

Guilt and Rationalisation

How did the Protestant and Counter-Reformation begin?

Pope Leo X needed money to build St. Peter’s Basilica, started to sell indulgences

Indulgences- were pardons issued by the pope that people could buy to reduce a soul’s time in purgatory = (People could buy forgiveness)

Council of Trent

1545, Church members decided to redefine some religious doctrines of the Catholic Church.

Addressed Abuses, Addressed Corruption, Training of Priests regulated, Addressed Financial Abuse, The sale of Indulgences was abolished

Inquisitions

Roman Inquisition (1542)

Spanish Inquisition (1478)

The Roman Inquisition tried people for:

Being Protestant, Witchcraft, Breaking with Church Law

The 10 Commandments

1. I am the LORD your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me.

2. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.

4. Honour your father and your mother.

5. You shall not kill.

6. You shall not commit adultery.

7. You shall not steal.

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.

9. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife.

10. You shall not covet your neighbour’s goods.

Catholic Charities

Caritas Australia; has been working with vulnerable communities affected by natural disasters, conflict and displacement

Catholic Mission is the Pope’s international Mission agency in Australia -> An international organisation that partners with communities, helping them to flourish by supporting grassroots projects, including healthcare, education, and spiritual care.

Original Justice

The state of harmony between humans and God and between humans themselves. Adam & EveoS

Social Justice

social justice means treating everyone fairly and with respect, ensuring that all people have their basic needs met, like food, shelter, and education.

Four Harmonies

With God; Complete happiness comes when we have a personal relationship with God

With others; People who are at peace within themselves tend to be at peace with others.

With ourselves; A Right relationship with God leads us to experience inner peace and direction in our lives.

With all of creation; Our first parents were created in God’s image and likeness. They appreciated creation for its goodness and continued as partners with God in its development.

Conscience

Conscience is at the core and heart of every person.

The call to goodness is a part of human nature, and people cannot repress it.

The most secret core and sanctuary

Vocation

The particular life calling of every person by God.

Natural Law

The law inscribed in human nature

God’s Law

Criteria for deciding whether an action is right or wrong

Magisterium

The teaching authority of the Catholic Church. It consists of the Pope and the Bishops throughout the world.

Old Testament

Establishes God’s relationship and covenant with the Jewish people. It consists of the first 46 books of the Bible.

New Testament

It consists of the last 27 books of the Bible and tells of Jesus's life and teachings and the growth of the Church.

Apostle Succession

The passing on of the spiritual gifts from the Apostles to the bishops. Peter was the first bishop of Rome (Pope).

Encyclical

a papal letter sent to all bishops of the Roman Catholic Church.

Ecumenism

The principle or aim of promoting unity among the world's Christian Churches.