Basic Catholic Requirements
I am Catholic and my girlfriend is Presbyterian. Although we have a few more years before we get married, the issue of religion has come up several times. My girlfriend is open to the Catholic faith and informs me that she has no problem raising our children Catholic. I was very happy to hear this, because I told her before that I would not convert. I had been baptized in my church when I was 2 months old and has always been an active member. My girlfriend, on the other hand, has gone to several different churches and has never been correctly informed at how important going to church EVERY Sunday is. Because of this, she doesn't possess strong ties with any church, and is open to the Catholic Church.
My question is, what are the basic beliefs and practices that every Catholic must follow in order to fully consider themselves Catholic? I am very serious in my religion, and I would only want my girlfriend to convert if she truly believes the basic teachings of the church. I know there are many small things that Catholics may have different views on, such as birth control and other small issues, but what are the FUNDAMENTALS that EVERY Catholic is expected to believe?
She has said before that she's not sure why the church has a Pope, but she can live with that. She also said before that she's not sure if she agrees with purgatory. She believes that if you are a good person, you go to heaven, and if you are a bad person, you simply go to hell. And to be quite honest, I can see where she's coming from. Her ideas are simple, and I think you can still be a Catholic and be unsure of purgatory(?) So....what are the basic teachings that are required beliefs of all Catholics?
I find this forum truly refreshing. It defends the Catholic Church and the truths behind it. Thank You!
Brad
QUESTION from Brad on June 12, 2004
ANSWER by Staff on June 17, 2004
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Dear Brad: I would advise that you get a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It gives a complete summary of Church teaching. To be in communion with the Catholic Church, one must accept all of the teaching and obey all teaching. Whenever you see in the Catechism phrases like, serious matter, serious sin, grave matter, grave sin, and the like, this is referring to sins that can be mortal. As for belief, there are four levels of teaching, each with their own requirements for belief for a Catholic. (regardless, all levels of teaching must be obeyed even if one disagrees): Level 1 is dogma that all must believe or be a heretic. Level 2 is definitive teaching that all must believe or be out of communion with the Church Level 3 is authoritative teaching by which we must assent to giving the Church the benefit of the doubt beyond a reasonable doubt. Level 4 is other teachings for which me may offer come disagreement, but still must obey. See my previous answer for a detailed description of these four levels of teaching. One more point. You categorized Birth Control as a small issue. My dear Brad, this is NOT a small issue. This is an infallible teaching of the Church and ALL Catholics MUST believe and MUST obey the prohibition of birth control upon pain of sin. If a couple practices birth control they are in a state of sin and thus cannot receive the Eucharist. If they receive the Eucharist anyway, then they commit the grossly grave sin of sacrilege against the Eucharist. The issue of Birth Control is no small issue, and Catholics are not allowed to have a differing view on this. I might add, belief in the Pope and the Infallibility of the Pope is a required belief for all Catholic. Those Catholics who deny this are heretics. Also for study to help her understand that the Catholic Church is a Biblical Church see: Catholic Answers and their pamphlets. Scripture Catholic website.
God Bless, |