Catholic Church

Catholic Reformation The Reformation of the Catholic Church was a product of the Protestant Reformation which started with the Lutheran church’s separation from the Catholic Church in Germany. The separation of the Lutheran Church from the Catholic empire started a revolution across the empire. It started in the Country of Switzerland, with the reformed churches under the control of Ulrich Zwingli. Many wars broke out between the separated states of Switzerland, Zwingli was killed and the…

As I have read different texts throughout this semester, I have begun to question some of the teachings that are held by the Catholic church, and how they apply to me. One question that has stuck out to me in particular is, can someone who is outside the Catholic church, or disagrees with some of the teachings of the Catholic church achieve salvation. I believe that anyone, regardless of your beliefs or awareness of religious tradition, can achieve salvation based primarily on doing good works…

Second Vatican Council It is not an overstatement to say that the Catholic Church has changed more in the twenty-five years since the Second Vatican Council than it had in the previous two hundred (Komonchak). Pope John XXIII announced the creation of this council, also referred to as Vatican II, in January 1959, much to the surprise of the awaiting world. There had not been an ecumenical council — an assembly of Roman Catholic religious leaders meant to settle doctrinal issues — in nearly…

There have been several issues with the Catholic Church within the past centuries. Some hadn 't thought to question the ways of the Church–– but some had taken actions into accord when reform was requested or needed. The Nineteenth Ecumenical Council–– which was moreover known as the Council of Trent, had played a role in the reform on the Catholic Church. It was also considered to be one of the most important councils throughout the history of Roman Catholic Churches. Before the formation of…

Spanish-language Catholic mass. I visited St. Odilia Catholic Church in Shoreview, Minnesota. While St. Odilia is not an exclusively Hispanic community, they do offer a Spanish mass every Sunday afternoon. There is a relatively large Hispanic community in Roseville, Shoreview, Arden Hills, and the surrounding areas which attend the mass. Upon walking into the church for the 12:45 PM mass, I noticed there weren’t many people there. There were maybe 50 people scattered throughout the church. As…

Luther's new insight into the New Testament did not immediately lead him to protest against Church doctrine, according to Gonzalez, he also indicates that Luther did not appear to realize that his discovery was a "radical contradiction" that went against the "entire penitential system." After receiving revelation from Romans 1:17 and his conversion, his heart revealed the truth in how the idea of the Catholic Church was selling indulgences or reprieves from penance; evidently, this was…

Although it is undeniable that the Catholic church played a relatively large role in Luther’s message attracting popular support, it not sufficient to explain why Luther got popular. With many other Reformers having preached for reform in the Catholic Church long before Luther ever did, there happens to be more to Luther’s support than solely the corrupt nature that was the church. The people of Germany had many reasons to support Luther’s ideals, however a strong division between the poor and…

religious traditions equally, and the Catholics appear to have fared better than other religions in terms of affiliation. However, the trend in association with the Catholic Church overlooks important changes in American Catholicism, including declining participation among millennials and increasing presence of a non-white immigrant population. The Catholic Church in America is fashioned by global socio cultural trends. In addition, its male leadership enforces Catholic doctrine to the young,…

The Roman Catholic Church from would not be powerful without wealth and political and structural strengths and weaknesses playing roles in its spread throughout Europe. Diocletian was against any and all unorthodox religious movements including the growing religion of Christianity. To rid the Roman Empire of Christians, he took church property and destroyed churches, took Christians out of office, and enslaved lower-class Christians. They survived throughout the rest of Diocletian’s reign until…

Tradition is woven into the very fabric of humanity. Every family, nation and society has traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. Even within the church, there are traditions that have been passed down through the centuries. However, the big question becomes: What role does tradition play within theology? The Catholic Church has equated tradition’s authority with Scripture; and great thinkers like John Meyendorff and Don Thorsen affirm tradition, yet lessen its authority…