What must be believed?

[John_Augustine]

Hi folks, I’m thinking of formally becoming a Roman Catholic, but I’m used to a great deal of intellectual freedom in the Church of England. Could somebody supply me with a list of dogmatic definitions that I must believe as a Catholic? I just want to know where the boundaries are between loyal speculation and dissent and obstinate heresy lol.

 

[JeanneH]

Hi folks, I’m thinking of formally becoming a Roman Catholic, but I’m used to a great deal of intellectual freedom in the Church of England. Could somebody supply me with a list of dogmatic definitions that I must believe as a Catholic? I just want to know where the boundaries are between loyal speculation and dissent and obstinate heresy lol.

I asked my favorite priest this same question. His answer was that I need to believe all that is said in the Apostle’s creed.

Jeanne

 

[06convert]

You have to believe the following with your whole heart:

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered, died, and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

I’d also recommend that you carefully read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. (It does go quite thoroughly into the Creed, point by point). If you come up with something you’re unsure of that doesn’t seem to be covered there, my best recommendation is to utilize “Ask an Apologist” right here on the CA site. God bless.

Remember, intellectual freedom, like any other freedom, is not measured in a vacuum, but always in reference to God. We are most free when we are in total conformity and obedience to Him, not dissenting FROM Him. It is the truth that sets us free, not our ability to deny that truth.

 

[John_Augustine]

Believe me, I do, but it makes no mention of Papal Infallibility or the other controversies

Would this do:

vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19680630_credo_en.html

 

[puzzleannie]

the Catechism of the Catholic Church has the formal definitions and explanations of what we must believe. The Compendium of the CCC has it in an easier to digest and browse Q&A format. both are at most bookstores and online, and from Bishops usccb.org

“intellectual freedom” is an asset only when it leads to truth, so obviously the Catholic view is that we must believe and practice all that the Catholic Church holds and teaches because she is the repository entrusted with preserving and handing on Divine Revelation on earth.

 

[06convert]

The CCC is Church doctrine, and what you must believe as a Catholic.

The creed I guess is more of the fundamentals. The basis on which the Church stands.

 

[Ruthie]

Here’s a website with the essential dogmas and doctrines.

The list doesn’t explain these terms, so I will. Lucky you; I just looked them up yesterday, so I have them handy!

Anything that is de fide is infallible and must be believed by Catholics. So are fides ecclesiastica or veritatis catholicae.

Sententia fidei proxima means, “revealed, but not yet declared infallible.” *Sententia *is abbreviated Sent.

Sent. certa means theologically certain.

Sent. communia is a common teaching, generally accepted by theologians.

De fide is dogma. All of the rest of the above are doctrine.

Sent. probabilis and other terms are not doctrine per se. They range from a high of “probable” to merely “tolerated.”

Hope this helps. Ask any questions you want; we’ll be happy to answer them.

God bless you,

Ruthie