Dogma, Doctrine, and Discipline

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Tommy999

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Background:
I am a Methodist who likes listening to Catholic radio and learning about Catholicism.
The other day while on my way to an appointment, I listened to EWTN on the car radio where the person was introducing a topic of ‘Dogma, Doctrine, and Discipline’. Unfortunately, I had to leave for my appointment as they were just getting started so I wasn’t able to hear the rest of it. I was hoping someone could help clarify these terms for me and provide some practical examples of each and how they complement each other and differ from one another.

Question
For example, what is the difference between Catholic* Dogma *and Doctrine? I always thought they were synonymous or were very closely intertwined.

I had assumed that dogma is the essences of one’s beliefs and doctrine was the compilation of the dogmas in written form, but perhaps I am mistaken on that.

I had also assumed that a ‘Discipline’ is what a person does in support of his faith, such as Catholics attending Mass each weekend, not eating meat on Fridays, going to Confession at least once a month, doing required penances, observing holy days, and living as faithful of a Christian life as possible.

Thanks for your assistance in helping me better under these terms. :tiphat:

Also, can any of them subject to change or are they all unchangeable?
 
Thanks, PaulfromIowa. I will take a look. By the way, I’ve been through Iowa a couple of times and thought it was very nice. I expected flat and boring farmland and was surprised by all the rolling hills and nice scenery. Didn’t there used to be an Iowa license plate with a famous line from ‘Field of Dreams’ that said, “Is this Heaven? No, It’s Iowa”. I always liked that.
 
So if I am understanding the articles correctly, only disciplines are allowed to change. The other two cannot change.

A doctrine is a teaching. A dogma is more of a decree. All dogmas are doctrine, but not all doctrines are dogma.

Examples cited in one of the URLs shared by PaulfromIowa:
Disciplines: Married Priests, Lenten rules of Fasting, translation of the Mass, chapel veils, receiving the Eucharist on the tongue,
Doctrines: Resurrection, Scripture as inspired word of God, The Incarnation, Heaven, Holy Trinity
Dogmas: Immaculate Conception, Jesus Fully God/Fully Man, Real Presence of the Eucharist, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Papal Infallibility
 
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