Unit 2 Module 4 Flashcards
1
Q
Structures
A
- This refers to the organisation of a religion, including its leadership.
- It is complex and needs to be seen as a system
- These may be well established and formal or Less defined and informal
2
Q
Processes
A
- Refers to how things are done in a religion.
- Often give expression to the workings of a structure.
- Can be well defined or less formal.
- There is a way of doing something according to series of step, actions or understandings.
3
Q
The Roman Catholic Church Structures and Processes
A
- Structures and processes are designed to support the work and mission of the Church: To connect to God + shares this with others (evangelise) in order to influence others to participate in God’s plan for salvation. Continues Jesus’ teachings in words + deeds.
- These structures and processes typically serve at least one of the following 3 functions:
1. Teaching and safeguarding the Christian message
2. Providing for the growing holiness of believers
3. Governing the Church in Jesus’ name
4
Q
Function 1: Teaching and safeguarding the Christian message
(The Roman Catholic Church Structures and Processes)
A
Understanding: Preserve and pass on the teachings of Christ
- The Christian mission is to present the message of Christ to people across the world. This includes working to help develop the conscience of a society from a Christian perspective, confront injustices, alleviate the suffering and express God’s love.
- This needs to be done accurately, so the message is safeguarded from losing the intentions of God.
- There is a risk of the message losing its authenticity because of confronting social trends.
5
Q
Function 2: Providing for the growing holiness of believers (The Roman Catholic Church Structures and Processes)
A
Understanding: Jesus promised to remain and help his followers in several ways:
- Promised to be present as they taught the message as he would guide and help them.
- During the Last Supper Jesus promised to share the Holy Spirit who would remain present continually and guide the growing holiness of believers. The Holy Spirit would both strengthen and guide followers so the message would be protected.
- No evil or human weakness or pressure would prevail against the Church, “the gates of the underworld can never overpower it.” (Matthew 16:18)
* Jesus called the 12 Apostles to accept special gifts of leadership from the Holy Spirit. Their calling was to lead the Church with St. Peter as their head = The Pope today.
6
Q
Function 3: Governing the Church in Jesus’ name (The Roman Catholic Church Structures and Processes)
A
Understanding: The Apostles and their successors
- Apostles exercised their role as leaders in the early Church as they handed on the teachings of Jesus.
- They celebrated the liturgies he instituted, repeated and explained his teachings, and called everyone to “observe all the commands” (Matthew 28:20)
- Knowing the responsibilities Jesus had given his Apostles and believing his promises, the early Christians accepted the teaching authority of the Apostles.
- Leaders of the Church are the Pope and bishops. Together they are referred to as the ‘Church’s Magisterium’ from the Latin word for ‘teacher’, magister.
- Levels of Catholic Social Teaching from the Magisterium:
1. Infallible teachings of the Church
2. Definitive Catholic teaching
3. Teachings which help understand Revelation
4. Teachings on contemporary new issues
7
Q
Infallible Teachings of the Church (Four Levels of official Catholic Teaching)
A
- The first are those teachings which are found in what God has revealed. This is known as infallible teachings. Infallible teachings relate either to faith or the essential requirements for Christian morals. They fulfil the promise of Jesus.
- Examples of infallible teachings include the Creeds, doctrines about the Trinity, the divinity and humanity of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and the seven sacraments.
- They are called infallible for two reasons:
- They are found in what God has revealed through Jesus
- The Holy Spirit has guided the Church’s understanding of them
8
Q
Definitive Catholic Teaching (Four Levels of official Catholic Teaching)
A
- There are many teachings in God’s Revelation that have never required infallible teaching. These teachings help ‘define’ a person’s faith as Catholic. Because of their relationship to what God has revealed, definitive teachings must be consciously agreed to and lived by anyone who is a Catholic.
- Examples include Catholic Teachings that:
- A person who does not believe cannot be forced to worship
- No one can be forced to act contrary to his or her conscience, especially in religious matters
- Deliberate abortion and euthanasia break the fifth commandment
9
Q
Teachings which help understand Revelation (Four Levels of official Catholic Teaching)
A
- The most frequent teachings of Popes and bishops aim to help Catholic understand better the Christian message, and how it relates to daily life.
- The purpose of the teachings are:
- To explain God’s Revelation Clearly
- To point out how some teachings are consistent with what God has revealed
- To warn about ideas that conflict with what God has revealed
10
Q
Teachings on contemporary new issues (Four Levels of official Catholic Teaching)
A
- Over the centuries Catholics have questioned how they should respond to many contemporary life issues. These have ranged from issues of slavery to contemporary issues such as capital punishment, nuclear weapons, and the moral use of medical technology
- The Magisterium teaches in the light of the best available knowledge relating to contemporary issues. The spirit continues to guide the understanding of Popes and bishops about the Gospel of Jesus. The conscience response called for by these statements in religious acceptance.
11
Q
The bishop’s role in the diocese (Governing the Church in modern society)
A
- Within the local diocese are various organisations and structures. These include parishes, parish catechists, Catholic schools, welfare organisations, youth organisations and many others. The local bishop collaborates with other Western Australian bishops to establish state-wide organisations upon which a diocese can draw. It is important for people to gain an understanding of their local diocese
12
Q
Leading the Church today (Governing the Church in modern society)
A
- Jesus commissioned Peter and the other Apostles to lead his Church in its mission. The Pope and the bishops lead the Church today in its mission in many areas of life. E.g., Social Justice, Bio-Ethics, Education and Refugees
13
Q
Social Justice and the Church’s Magisterium (Governing the Church in modern society)
A
- In terms of social justice, the Church’s Magisterium functions by calling Catholics to become active in the world, establishing Church structures and teaching how to live as Jesus taught
14
Q
The Church in Australia
A
- Through universal, the Catholic Church acts in particular through dioceses and national conferences of bishops. Together, they promote Social Justice by fostering organisations and movements, as well as , by teaching how the Gospel of Christ applies to justice issues needing to be faced by the nation. National examples include:
- Caritas Australia
- Catholic Mission Australia
- St Vincent de Paul Society
