Roman Catholicism - An Introduction
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The Roman Catholic church believes in the traditional Christian
creeds and the Trinity of God (Holy Trinity)as:
- God, the Father All Governing
- Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was begotten by the Holy Spirit
from the Virgin Mary and was crucified by Pontius Pilate, died and rose
from the dead on the third day, ascended into Heaven, and sat at the
right hand of the Father. At the end of the world, Christ will come
to judge the living and the dead.
- The Holy Spirit, in the holy Church. Catholics also believe in the
concept of "original sin," which states that mankind is inherently
sinful due to the disobedient acts of Adam and Eve (the first man and
woman), and thus needs to be saved. Although confession, repentance,
and absolution are means of rectifying one's individual sins, salvation
is achieved only through God's grace. As Jesus Christ died on the cross
as atonement for our (humanity's) sins, the belief in and acceptance
of Christ as Lord redeems us for our sins and assures us eternal life
with God and Jesus in Heaven.
Roman Catholics observe the seven sacraments, venerate saints, particularly
the Virgin Mary (Christ's mother), and acknowledge the presence of the
Holy Spirit. The Eucharist, or Mass,
is the center of church life, in which bread and wine are transformed
into the body and blood of Christ (transubstantiation). The physical ingestion
of the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion confers grace upon the
believers. The clergy, who are deemed properly prepared to interpret the
word of God for the believers, interprets Catholic beliefs and doctrines.
Recommended Reading:
 Why
Do Catholics Do That?: A Guide to the Teachings and Practices of the Catholic
Church, by Kevin Orlin Johnson
Surprised
by Truth: Eleven Converts Give the Biblical Historical Reasons for Becoming
Catholic, edited by Patrick Madrid, Foreword by Scott Hahn
 The
Essential Catholic Handbook: A Summary of Beliefs, Practices, and Prayers,
by John Joseph O'Connor
 Mary's
Way: A Universal Story of Spiritual Growth Inspired by the Message of
Medjugorje, by Peggy Tabor Millin (on the Virgin Mary)
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