This is not intended to be an official publication but excerpts from "Our Neighbors Faith" booklet from Augsburg Fortress Publishing house and thoughts from Pr. Doug Givan.
Our Neighbors Faith by Pr. Doug Givan
St. Andrew's and Faith Lutheran, Summer 2023
The Roman Catholic Church is the largest Christian Church and played a prominent role in the history and development of Western Civilization. The Pope, the Bishop of Rome, is the chief pastor of the church. The Catholic church teaches that its bishops are successors of Christ’s apostles, and the pope is the successor to St. Peter, who Jesus said was the “rock” of the church.
The name “Catholic” in the Greek language means “universal” and was first used to describe the church in the early first/and second century. It was used to describe the Pope’s “Diocese of Rome” since about the time of the Reformation in the late 16th century. From the term “protest” (against the church in Luther’s day) comes the term to describe all non-Catholic churches: Protestant!
The Catholic Church is led by bishops who have received the sacrament of Holy Orders who are given formal jurisdictions of governance of the church. Each geographic area is called a diocese overseen by a bishop who then oversees priests of various congregations. The Mass has 2 parts: Liturgy of the Word where there are readings, prayer and homily (short sermon), and Liturgy of Eucharist (Communion) with praise and thanksgiving, prayers, offering, and petitions. In the Catholic Mass, it is believed that when the Word of Institution are spoken the bread and wine actually “become” the body and blood of Jesus Christ, called Transubstantiation.
Devotions to the Virgin Mary are part of Catholic piety, distinct from the worship of God. Because of her influential role in the life of Jesus, she is considered “Mother of the Church” (Pope Paul VI). Since she gave birth to Jesus, she is to be the spiritual mother to each member of the Body of Christ. Prayers, devotions like the Hail Mary, the Rosary, are part of common Catholic practices. The Rosary allows Catholics to encounter Mary and the mysteries of Jesus Christ in their devotions and prayers. It is used to help someone remain focused in prayer.
The Catholic Church teaches that it was entrusted with seven sacraments instituted by Christ: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist (Communion), Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders (ordination of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons), and Holy Matrimony.
Four main theological differences with the ELCA:
1) Doctrinal Authority-ELCA believes the Holy Scriptures hold authority for us whereas the Catholics give total authority to the Pope, traditions of the church and the Holy Scriptures.
2) Justification or being saved by God- Lutherans understand we are saved by grace through our faith whereas the Catholic church teaches good works must accompany the faith for salvation.
3) Head of the Church-Lutherans believe that Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and the Catholics believe Jesus granted supreme authority to the Pope.
4) Sacraments in the Catholic church are visible rituals that are a sign of God’s presence and are effective channels of God’s grace to reflect the stages of people’s natural and spiritual lives. Luther believes just in Baptism and Holy Communion because Jesus mandated we do them, and are signs of God’s love and grace as well.
For further information beyond “Google”
http://w2.vatican.va www.usccb.org (US Conf. of Catholic Bishops)
Catholicism: A very short intro by Gerald O’Collins (Oxford Univ. Press 2008)
www.goodcatholic.com
