Roman Catholic Eschatology

[Uranage]

Has the Catholic Church made any authoritative statements with regards to eschatology? My understanding is that most Catholic theologians would take more of an amillenial position but has this ever been addressed by The Vatican? Could a believing Catholic hold to a pre-trib rapture and still be within whats accepted as orthodox? Have any of the branches of Eastern Orthodoxy given authorative statements on eschatology?

 

[johnq]

This doesn’t answer your question, but is some related info.

Father John A. Hardon, S.J. Archives

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Eschatology Index

therealpresence.org/archives/Eschatology.htm

 

[Exporter]

You are Evangelical. The Tribulation interests you and your friends.

This sort of thing does not interest Catholics. The Vatican has never approached the subject. We sortof leave it up to Jesus Christ. What can we do about it anyway?

 

[jimmy]

Uranage:

Has the Catholic Church made any authoritative statements with regards to eschatology? My understanding is that most Catholic theologians would take more of an amillenial position but has this ever been addressed by The Vatican? Could a believing Catholic hold to a pre-trib rapture and still be within whats accepted as orthodox? Have any of the branches of Eastern Orthodoxy given authorative statements on eschatology?

The Vatican has never said anything final about the rapture.

 

[Fidelis]

jimmy:

The Vatican has never said anything final about the rapture.

But the Vatican *has * said something about pre-millenialism which pre-suposes the Rapture, as some non-Catholics think of it (as portrayed in the “Left Behind” books, for example).

**Decree of the Holy Office dated July 21, 1944: **

"In recent times on several occasions, this Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office has been asked what must be thought of the system of mitigated Millenarianism, which teaches, for example, that Christ the Lord before the final judgment, whether or not preceded by the resurrection of the many just, will come visibly to rule over this world.
“The answer is: The system of mitigated Millenarianism cannot be taught safely.”