Untitled Flashcards Set
Ecumenical Council: meeting of bishops and other church authorities to consider and rule on questions of Christian doctrine, administration, discipline, and other things
Protestant Reformation: 16th-century religious, political, intellectual, and cultural upheaval in Europe that challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, leading to the creation of Protestantism and a major split in Western Christianity
Sacrament: a religious ceremony/tradition that is an effective sign of God’s grace, entrusted in the Church. EX: baptism, the Eucharist, penance, holy orders, matrimony, confirmation and the anointing of the sick.
Sacrament of Salvation: The Church, seen as both a sign and an instrument of God's saving grace, through which Christ's redemptive work is made present and effective
Church Hierarchy: the Pope is at the top. He is the successor of St. Peter and choses the bishops, who are after the cardinals and archbishops. The cardinals are advisors to the pope. The archbishops rule over several dioceses while the bishops serve just one diocese. Below them are the priests who lead Church and their community, then the deacons who assist them, and lastly the laity. All the followers of Catholicism are the laity, whose job is to spread the good word.
Pope: top of Church hierarchy, successor of St. Peter, called Servus servorum dei (Servant of the servants of God)
Bishop: Responsible for all of churches and finances, Land owner on behalf of the diocese, Name is on all of the “stuff”, Successors of apostles who are consecrated through the laying of hands, chosen by Pope.
Priest: Rulers of Parishes, serve mass/leads Church & community, and mentor to parishioners
Deacon: an ordained minister of an order ranking below that of priest, assists the priest
Laity: Regular followers whose goal is to expand the Church by spreading Gospel
Consecrated Life: a permanent state of life recognized by the Church, characterized by a free response to Christ's call to a more intimate union with Him, marked by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience (hermits, monks, nuns, etc.)
Evangelical Counsels (3): poverty, chastity, and obedience, are vows or commitments traditionally embraced by individuals who choose to live a life of consecrated service to God, particularly in monastic or religious orders
Why are Martin Luther, King Henry VIII, and others called reformers? What did
they reform? Why are they called protestant? What were they protesting? (Give
examples.): They challenged the Catholic Church's authority and practices, reforming the Church by making issues present. They also protested some of the Church’s current teachings/doctrines/practices.
What is the difference between papal election and episcopal (bishop’s)
ordination?: The bishop's ordination is a ceremony where a priest is made into a bishop. During the pope's election, the cardinals elect one of their own to become the pope.
What is a diocese and who is in charge?: A diocese is a physical territory under command of the bishop that encompasses many different parishes.
What is a parish and who is in charge?: Within a diocese, a parish is a smaller community with a Church under leadership of the priest/pastor.
What is the role of the laity in the church?: The laity are called to expand the Church through the spreading of the Gospel.They are also called to follow their earthly vocations while not forgetting about God.
In Gaudium et Spes, what do we read about the relationship between the things
of this world and the things of heaven? Are they opposed to one another or
complementary?: We read that they are complementary, as Christians are called to integrate their faith with their daily responsibilities. Engaging in worldly duties with a Christian spirit contributes to their salvation rather than detracting from it. If you shirk on your vocation on earth, you forget God and his wanting for everyone to follow their duties.
What does Gaudium et Spes say that the role of lay people is in the church and
in the world?: Laypeople are responsible for bringing Christian values into society, especially in professional, social, and political spheres. They must act as witnesses to Christ in the world and apply their faith to real-world situations. They are called to keep the laws proper to each discipline, devise new enterprises and put them into action, and to see that the divine law is inscribed in the life of the earthly city. They are not bound to penetrate the world with a Christian spirit, but are also called to be witnesses to Christ in all things in the midst of human society.
Gaudium et Spes (section 43) speaks of two errors that the lay person might
commit. What are they and why are they erroneous?: People are mistaken who think that because they are citizens of Heaven they can neglect their earthly duties. Another mistaken point of view is that you just follow your earthly vocation with no religious obligations since they are disconnected, but these views are both wrong.
What does Gaudium et Spes claim is the role of bishops and priests? Should the
lay person go to them for expertise on every issue?: Bishops and priests are responsible for preaching the Gospel and guiding the faithful. However, they are not meant to be experts in all worldly affairs, so the lay people should only go to them with relevant affairs.. Their role is to provide spiritual leadership while encouraging laypeople to apply their faith in practical ways. They should erase division and create unity instead.
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church, according to section 43 of
Gaudium et Spes?: The Holy Spirit ensures that the Church remains faithful to Christ and continues to be a sign of salvation. It also calls the Church and its members to ongoing purification and renewal so that Christ’s message shines more clearly in the world, and is called to remain faithful to the Lord and never stop being a sign of salvation of earth even though there is corruption with some Church members.
How do lay people participate in Christ’s priestly, prophetic and kingly
office?: We are introduced into the priesthood through Baptism, and we are called to offer ourselves to God as Jesus did, through prayer, sacrifice, and the sacraments. As prophets we are called to profess and teach the faith to others and be witnesses to Christ. As kings we are called to serve those who need us, such as the poor and hungry. (priest prophet king catechism)
What is something that stands out to you as particularly desirable in the
life of a monk/nun? What is something that stands out to you as
particularly difficult and/or undesirable in the life of a monk/nun?: A desirable characteristic of nun life would be that you don’t have to worry about anything besides getting closer to God. An undesirable characteristic would be the seclusion and giving up all your physical possessions.