Is it correct to say that the traditions and beliefs we as Catholics hold originated from Jesus, who gave the “guidelines” of the Church to the apostles?
Some Catholic traditions, more aptly called disciplines (e.g., priestly celibacy) and *customs *(e.g., Advent wreaths), are “manmade” in the sense that they were developed over the centuries by Christians who created them as means to better live out their Christian faith. Those doctrinal and moral teachings that have been taught by the Church since the very beginning of Christian history are believed by Catholics to have been given by Jesus to the apostles and handed on by them to successors who in turn handed the teachings on down through the centuries
(cf. 2 Tim. 2:1-2). These teachings are known as sacred Tradition.
DISCLAIMER: Catholic Answers has turned over the archive to Catholic-Questions.org and no longer owns, manages, or moderates the forums. For additional apologetics resources please visit www.catholic.com.
