Catholic Church Research Papers

Catholic Church Research Papers
Over the course of decades, thousands of catholic priests and bishops sexually abused thousands of
children. The Catholic Church attempted to cover up these incidents by re–positioning church
leaders and has spent nearly 4 billion dollars over 65 years to redeem the church's name.
For years the catholic church was aware of priests sexualy abusing young, innocent children, and
instead of bringing the situation to awareness they shuffled these priests around to keep the good
name of the church intact. The statements shared in front of a Philadelphia jury are enough to bring
the coldest hearts to grief and the strongest stomachs to ache.
"'A girl, 11 years old, was raped by her priest and became pregnant. The priest took her in for an
abortion.'
'A 5th–grader was molested by ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
'Priests don't do that,' said the father as he punished his son for what he thought was a vicious lie
against the clergy'"(Berkowitz).
These are just a few of thousands of known cases of sexual abuse within the clergy, and the church
is doing nothing about it. They use five tactics to cover up these incidents: Refusing to comply with
civil authorities
Vatican leaders shuffling around known wrongdoers. This was a process otherwise known as "priest
shifting"
Destroying evidence of these events
Offering incentives to members of the clergy that kept quite and disciplining those that tried
examining the immoral
... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...

Jospeh Aloisius Ratzinger´s Steps as Pope Benedict XVI Essay
Pope Benedict XVI's birth name was Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger. He was born on April 16th, 1927.
His homeland is Bavaria, Germany and he was born in his parents' home at 8:30 in the morning.
Benedict served as pope from 2005 until his resignation in 2013. He was elected pope following the
death of Pope John Paul II. Joseph was ordained into the priesthood in 1951. He was considered a
highly knowledgeable theologian and was appointed a professor in 1958. His writings defended the
Catholic doctrine and values. Ratzinger was baptized the same day he was born. He was the third
child and also was the youngest of three. Benedict's brother dedicated his life as a catholic as well,
and became a priest. Joseph trained in the German infantry. He ... Show more content on
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In his footsteps I place my ministry in the service of reconciliation and harmony between peoples.
Additionally, I recall Saint Benedict of Nursia, copatron of Europe, whose life evokes the Christian
roots of Europe. I ask him to help us all to hold firm to the centrality of Christ in our Christian life:
May Christ always take first place in our thoughts and actions." Benedict celebrated his first
canonizations on October 23rd 2005 in St. Peter's square. Pope Benedict wrote three encyclicals;
Deus Caritas Est, Spe Salvi, and Caritas in Veritate. In Benedict's first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est,
he said that human being created in the image of God who is love, is able to practice love. His first
encyclical contains about 16,000 words in 42 paragraphs. His second encyclical titled, Spe Salvi, is
about the virtue of hope. His third and final encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, continued the Church's
teachings on social justice. Benedict travelled a lot during his first three years as pope. He traveled
to Italy, Germany, Poland, Spain, Turkey, and Muslim. In 2007, he visited Brazil to address the
Bishops' Conference and canonize Friar Antonio Galvao. April 2008, his first visit to the United
Sates since becoming pope took place. He arrived in Washington DC, where he was sent to the
White house and met privately with the President, George W. Bush. He also met with victims of
sexual abuse by

Human Development : A Simple Farmer Or Hunter Gatherer
Man has developed far beyond his humble beginning as a simple farmer or hunter gatherer. We have
innovated, globalized and expanded our knowledge in many different areas in science and
technology and with these expansions have changed our societies and world forever; most of them
in a positive light. However, has our vast human development inhibited us from our basic duties and
social responsibility to each other. Have we forgotten simply to care for each other and acknowledge
each other as one species; made in His image with a fundamental goodness that must be met in order
to obtain absolute love and truth. Has the charity between man and neighbor been forgotten?
In modern translation, it is acceptable to replace charity with love and vise versa, however, the
modern translation of these words have been diluted from their original scriptural meanings. The
Greeks had four words for "love". Agape, which was used to identify love that was selflessly
committed to the well–being of another, while phileo (brotherly–love), eros (romantic love) and
storge (fondness) we used to describe the inner affections. When the word agape was used in the
context of vertical action (God towards man and/or man towards God), it is translated as "love."
However, when the word agape is used in the context of horizontal action (person to person), it is
translated as charity. In modern translations, love has become more of an abstract passivity than its
original meaning; we have mentally equated it to

Transfiguration In The Eucharist
The first Eucharistic transfiguration was conducted by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper. The Last
Supper was the final meal Jesus shared with his Disciples in Jerusalem. The meal also
commemorated His establishment of the priesthood. At the Last Supper – also identified as Mass,
Jesus articulated to his Apostles, the forerunners of the current bishops, to reenact His enactment in
commemorative of his passing. The Church has traditionally imparted how the Eucharist has
originated at the Last Supper and how the initial society followed Jesus' command to 'break bread' in
his name (Acts 2:42). Luke's Gospel also expresses Jesus' words: 'Do this in memory of me'. During
the Mass, Catholics faithfully unleavened bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood
of Jesus Christ through a process known as transubstantiation. This has been an action completed by
Jesus during the Passover meal who uttered the words "This is my body, which is given for you."
Subsequently, he passes a cup filled with wine. He then says, "This is my blood..." It is believed
those who eat of Christ's flesh and blood shall have eternal life. Since that period, the Church has
devotedly obeyed the Lord's commands, the Last Supper is renowned everyday through the
commemorating of Mass. Throughout the past decades, the practice of Latin has developed into a
site of Catholic traditionalism, however in the upcoming years this has shifted due to the discharge
of the new liturgy, the older form of mass;

Poverty And Poverty
"Within the community of believers there can never be room for a poverty that denies anyone what
is needed for a dignified life." (Pope Benedict XVI) The issue of poverty is huge in the world today,
reaching every continent with human habitation. The Catholic Church addresses this problem with
seriousness; they believe every human life is sacred, and it is the job of others to take care of them.
With over one billion people living their lives in these conditions, it seems ludicrous not to lend a
hand. Pope Francis has set a great example for how we are to act towards those who have little. As
Christians, it is a necessary part of life to help those less fortunate, and thus, dedicate time and love
to others who do not have much at all.
The seventh theme of Catholic Social Teaching, Care for God's Creation, calls us to protect the
Earth and everything on it. Because God gave it to us to use, we need to honor his wishes and gifts.
"The goal of Catholic social teaching is to provide the conditions for persons to obtain the goods
appropriate to the dignity of their existence." (CatholiCity) All people are made in the image and
likeness of God, and it is important to take care of, and love, everyone equally.
Poverty, by definition, is the state of being extremely poor. Globally, there are 1.4 billion people
living in poverty. That means almost 20% of the entire human race is being left behind. God calls all
of us to take a step backwards and help everyone who can not seem to get to where they need to be
in order to live a good, healthy life. After all, the purpose of humanity is to help each other out.
Pope Francis sets perfect examples showing our calling, as Christians, to help the poor. For instance,
just recently he invited the homeless, poor, and unemployed to a mass, and later, a feast. He says
helping those struggling is a "passport to paradise". Another kindness he showed was when he had
public showers built in Rome for the homeless to use. He has also organized pizza dinners for more
than 1,000 people, and asked the US to accept immigrants as their own children. His goal is to find a
way for every person to be able to benefit from the gifts God has given us.
The Bible is another great example of those in

Reasons: Was Martin Luther A Heretic?
Just because you are a person who is faithful to Jesus and be obedient to the truth of His Scriptures
does not mean you are a heretic. St. Thomas Aquinas defines heresy as a species of infidelity in men
who, having professed the faith of Christ, corrupt its dogmas. St. Thomas means with this definition
is that the rightful Christian faith dwells by being consent voluntary to Christ and to spread the truth
believe of His teachings. The reason Martin Luther was called a heretic was because there was the
idea that he wanted to split the Catholic Church. Even though, Pope Benedict XVI claims out that
Martin Luther was not a heretic because he never intended to split the Catholic Church. Without
doubt I believe that Martin Luther was not a heretic because there are reasons that prove his
innocence and what he wanted to this in a good way. The points that are going to talk above to show
how Martin Luther is not a heretic is that he knew that the indulgences were against the bible, he
sees the Bible with more authority and power than the Roman Catholic Church and the justification
of the faith alone. Firstly, Martin Luther was not a heretic because he disagree with ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
Martin Luther is not a heretic because all he did was to spread out the things that were on the Bible.
Martin Luther is not a heretic because he didn't corrupted people he guide them to the path of the
good. He just wanted to speak up the faith and word of God to help us have a better life and show
the equity that everyone has the right to read it. This help us prove he is not a heretic because, he
knew that the indulgences were against the bible and wrong, that he sees the Bible with more
authority and power than the Roman Catholic Church and the justification of only the faith alone
and not works. Martin Luther try to never give up and seek the best for others because what he had
was faith in God and wanted to spread His

Peace Is Complex And Multi Faceted. Peace
The notion of peace is complex and multi–faceted. Peace is not merely the absence of hostility,
violence or war, but encompasses a larger concept wherein there are various contributing factors
such as healthy international relationships, security in matters of global or economic welfare and
equality and fairness in political relationships. The nature of peace is also tied to concerns of the
causes for it's loss – be them social justice, economic inequality or political and religious radicalism.
By responding to these causes, Christianity and Islam reflect Fulghum's statement – innumerous
peace organisations, vocal individuals and guidance to inner and world peace are common in both
traditions, the basis for which can be found in their holy texts. In many ways, religion is an ideology
– a path – to peace. As such, Christianity and Islam, sharing a common foundation as traditions of
peace, strive to promote and create this through both their adherents' personal lives, and indeed
throughout the world. In the Christian tradition, it is believed that inner peace is essential to the
realisation of peace on Earth; 'the concept of inner, spiritual peace as literally embodied in the
person and teachings of Jesus Christ',1 as he told the disciples 'In me you may have peace' (John
16:33). Jesus extended peace to those who were in strife, and required us to follow him by '...making
every effort to live in peace and harmony with all men' (Hebrews 12:14). Only when these examples
are

The Second Vatican Council And The Future Of The Church
As time constantly presses forward and the earth continues to revolve, the world will never stop
progressing and adapting to better suit the needs of mankind. The evolution of religion has greatly
enhanced the quality of life for humanity by providing individuals with a strong belief system that is
now the foundation of many peoples' core values. One universal religion that has undergone
extensive amounts of reform is Christianity. In particular, the Catholic church is well–known for the
development of their famous ecumenical council meetings that help determine the future of the
church. Numerous Councils have been conducted throughout the course of history, but none more
significant than the most recent, the Second Vatican Council or Vatican II. The Catholic church was
operating as if it was still the medieval period and desperately needed to be modernized.
Consequently, the following will reveal the Second Vatican Council and the ramifications of the
agenda, history and theology evolution, significant texts, and new developments. January 25th 1959,
is a day every catholic remembers because it was on that day when Pope John XXIII announced that
he was assembling what was to be the 21st ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church. It
had been almost 100 years since the last ecumenical council, Vatican I, so naturally the Catholic
world was astonished by the news. Soon after the Pope's announcement of the council, the Roman
Catholic society quickly began preparations by

Rating the News Sites
Rating the News Sites
The links that are used are FOXNews.com and CNN.com.
The commentary associated with the stories are the same, but some of the reporter's words are
different such as FOX News use the word "five people" and CNN uses the words "five clergy" ,
FOX News also used 'molested' and CNN used the words "abuse victims." Even though the story is
about the same thing, the reporters' words are different. Both stories where from interviews that the
Pope had apologizing to five people who were molested as children by a priest where a march was
held in London.
FOX News and CNN are both great station that covers news that happens around the world. Both
companies take pride in their works and want to make sure that their viewers ... Show more content
on Helpwriting.net ...
Both CNN and FOX News both news media's told a lot about Pope Benedict and the British
Parliament at Westminster Hall, the place where the Pope gave his speech. Both news medias had
the same reports about the six people getting arrested and still remaining in custody because some
reports that the arrests were because of threats that were made to the Pope.
FOX News and CNN both reported about the how Benedict would began his day by meeting with
Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, and opposition leader Harriet
Harman. Both also reported the pope offered his condolences to Cameron about his father's death.
Each of the three gave the pope gift; this was only reported by FOX News. CNN reported that the
pope prayed alongside the archbishop of Canterbury at the tomb of Edward the Confessor that died
in 1066 and FOX News reported that the pope was schedule to visit with the elderly before
celebrating evening prayer service I Hyde Park in preparation for Sunday's beatification of Cardinal
John Harry Newman, a 19th century convert from Anglicanism whom the pope wants to hold up as
a model of faithful. So these two sites had a lot to report that was the same and they were a lot of
information that CNN reported that FOX News did not– vice versa. Both medias covered the Pope's
apology and made sure that their viewers knew the story about the five

The Reason For Francis 's Resignation
The order that Francis founded would start with a simple idea of living a very poor life, preaching
the teaching of Jesus and submission to the church or anyone in need. A main part of Francis vision
involves helping those in need without anything in return. The reason for Francis's resignation
comes from his coming to terms with the size of his movement. The way the lepers help show
Francis understands the size of his movement since it shows the way of life he preached, the
struggle with some of his follower and the need to create a rule for his followers.
Francis resignation from his movement in 1220 comes from the idea of his vision which is
expressed in his experience with the lepers in Assisi. Francis as a youth would see the lepers ...
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Rather than trying to follow or lead others for personal gain, the way to find spiritual peace is in
helping and placing others above one's own interest. The problem with putting others interest over
one's own is that does not help in being a leader who needs to guide people. He may place certain
acts as example of his way of life, but he cannot impose his idea on anyone since the very idea of
submitting to someone should be voluntary. In many ways, the reason Francis resigns is that once
his movement becomes too big, he could no longer oversee everything his followers would do and
without a rule, his followers would misinterpret his vision.
A major issue that would cause Francis to believe he was not a proper leader and resign was the
issue with Brother John of Cappella. Helping the lepers would be one of Francis's first task of
leaving the world and gain God's mercy, yet he would be outraged by the actions of John of Capella
and his community helping the lepers. His reaction to this would be to appeal to the Pope for
assistance to abolish this movement yet a question that remains is the reason he would want to stop
it. Thompson does give a possible reason by saying," John's leper project threatened to
professionalize such service, thereby allowing most friars to avoid it. ... Last thing Francis wanted
was for his order to become a group of social workers or hospital attendants. The Lesser Brothers
were called to live

Catholic Church Views Of Ordaining Women Essay
CATHOLIC CHURCH VIEWS OF ORDAINING WOMEN
Sexism in the Catholic Church
Abstract
The purpose of this brief is to provide you with an overview of how the Catholic Church view
women being ordained in the church. The views are based on the traditional and doctrinal references
that the Catholic religion is based on. The views are from various resources such as the Roman
Catholic Church in the Vatican, Pope John Paul II, and the newly elected Pope Benedict XVI. The
views described in this brief are based on the traditions of old and their refusal to change the
traditions to fit for the twentieth century.
SEXISM IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH Sexism in the Catholic Church can be described in
various ways. Sexism in the Catholic Church can ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The hatred and slander of women continued over this period of time. Women were considered to be
unclean, created by defect, only to service men, witches, and whores. They were not allowed in the
sanctuaries because they were considered unclean especially during there monthly cycle. Even today
women receive less pay for jobs that are not suited for their skills, they are not always the first
choice in any areas of political or social positions. The bases of keeping women out of the ministry
in most religions are more or less tradition. A Bible scripture such as (Mat. 10:2) as Jesus was
searching for His disciples he only chose men. Even when he had to replace them, He only chose
men. In most of the passages in the bible, Jesus never chose a woman nor did He address the public
by speaking to the woman specifically. Some would believe that Jesus was a sexist, but during the
times it was only tradition for a man to be the head of everything and the role of a woman during the
biblical times were to listen to the man, nurture her family and husband. During the biblical times
when Jesus walked this earth, Christianity was a very warous event. People were not accepting of
the Christ therefore it leads to wars and battles. (Mat. 24: 6). During those days women did not do
battle. As of today the tradition still holds and it plays a significant part in our everyday lives as well
as our religious worship. We

Reflective Essay On Religion
Throughout my life I have been lost and confused when it comes down to one aspect of life,
religion. I felt out of place in scripture class freshman year because I knew close to nothing about
Catholicism and about who God is. Up until my time at Brophy, I did not even really consider
religion to be a part of my life. I rarely thought about God and the only times I did were times that
were selfish and when I thought I needed help. Like before a big game I would ask him to help me
get a hit, or crossing my fingers when it was the final play of a game and hoping God would help.
Looking back that's because I did not truly know who God is, and I'm not saying I do now, but I for
sure have a greater understanding through my experience and research. In chapter two I explored
who God is and was able to find a good connection of who God is through the words of Reverend
Doctor William Barry. Barry brings up the idea of how God and is like our parents in a way how
they provide us with comfort and are always there when we need them. This I agree with because I
believe that the best way that I have encountered God through my time at Brophy has been through
the actions with others, not only my parents, but I have been reinforced that God can be found in
simple ways. In my first experience with getting my dog Harper I talked about how that was one of
the only strong evidences that I have of God working in my life. And this is most likely because I
feel that God was acting as a parent to me

The Church Must Catch Up
In today's modern world there is a clear rise of unbelief and modern culture is increasingly leaning
more towards the secular. Richard J. Bernstein, discusses how "the shift to secularity consists of a
move from a society where belief in God is unchallenged and indeed, unproblematic, to one in
which it is understood to be one option among others, and frequently not the easiest to embrace".
Less people are attending church and more individuals are seeking resolution and purpose else
where. Despite the secularization that is evident within modern society, there are new cultural
practices and changing beliefs that are being implemented within the church to bridge this secular
divide. This is demonstrated through individual religious organizations ... Show more content on
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I personally feel as though both of these examples have their positive and negative impacts when it
comes to reinstating religion in to a very secularized society. In reference to Reverend Gretta Vosper,
her failure to focus on an almighty God when it comes to preaching the Christian faith can be very
controversial. On one hand, it opens up the church to a wider population of individuals with an array
of beliefs, allowing Christianity to be a more universal religion. Providing the opportunity to still
practice Christian values and attend church without the requirement of a blind faith in a transcendent
being will help to reintegrate Christianity in to modern culture. One of the negatives to this is that
individuals who believe strongly in an omnipotent God can feel as though their faith is being
diminished by not acknowledging that He exists. However, in relation to bridging the religious and
secular divide I feel as though providing an array of opportunities for individuals to engage in and
practice the Christian faith is more beneficial. In regards to Pope Francis and his push for new
reforms in order to ordain married men and women, I feel as though again it is a step towards
closing the divide between religion and the secular. Pope Francis is someone who is filled with
charisma and is extremely transparent

Who Is St Gertrude's Piety
Saint Gertrude of Nivelles is the patron saint of cats. Saint Gertrude was a seventh–century abbess
who with her mother Itta founded the Benedictine of Nivelles in present day Belgium. Saint
Gertrude was never formally canonized but Pope Clement Xll declared her feast day March 17.
Furthermore Gertrude's was born in Landen,Belgium in 626 and died in Nivelles in 659. She was
born a nun and after her mothers death she was appointed abbess at only 20 years old. She was
known for her hospitality to pilgrims and her aid to missionary monks from Ireland.By the same
token She also gave land to a monk so that he could build a monastery at Fosse. By Gertrudes early
thirties she became very ill like not eating food and abstaining sleep she had to resign ... Show more
Most representations in art of Saint Gertrude depict her as an abbess with mice rats and or cats. She
is commonly seen running up her pastoral staff or cloak are hopeful looking mice representing the
Souls in Purgatory to which she had an intense devotion to. Saint Gertrude's piety was first seen
when she was ten years old when she turned down the offer of a noble marriage declaring that she
would not marry him or any other man because Christ alone would be her groom. Saint Gertrude is
not only the patron saint of cats she is also the patron saint of the recently deceased, gardeners,
travelers, those with Mental Illness, and those with a morbid fear of Mice and or Rats. Saint
Gertrude was a very inspiring person who someone can take a lot from. She was brave enough to
stand up to her elders and turn down a marriage proposal to be with her forever groom Jesus Christ.
She is an inspiring strong Catholic Woman who I am privliged to be able to have the resources to
learn about. Young girls everywhere should take notice to her courage, kindness and bravery. When
she was in the convent she kept cats around to help take care of the mice,rats and rodents problem
and or

Roman Catholics: Working The Wonders Of Mercy
Working the Wonders of Mercy
According to BBC news, there is an estimated 1.2 billion Roman Catholics in the world. The
corporal and spiritual works of mercy are actions Catholics perform to extend God's compassion and
mercy for one another. Neither corporal nor spiritual can be separated from the other. Mercy is a
virtue influencing one's will to have compassion for another person. All these Roman Catholics
should complete the works of mercy, not only during the year, but also especially during the lenten
season.
Firstly, all Roman Catholics should perform the works of mercy because we will be judged, at the
end, on the basis of love shown to others. The love in which we share God's compassion and mercy
for each other. As we transition into ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
We are here not to be condemned, but to prepare ourselves for eternal life, and that is where we are
with God and his love forever. "God doesn't want to condemn anyone; he wants to save every
person in the entire world, Pope Francis said" (Glatz par.1). This information proves that we are
made for heaven and that its is our ultimate goal, but we can only get there through love and mercy
which can be achieved through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The damages of sin are
great and are eternal, we have to redeem ourselves now before it is too late. "He said, the proud, rich
and powerful will end up condemning themselves and plunging into the eternal abyss of solitude
which is hell" (Wooden par.7). This information proves and help us understand our need for love
and mercy. The works of mercy are also there to restore us to the fullness of life. "For this reason,
the works of mercy are patterned after the life of Jesus Christ as he ministered to each human being–
body and soul–in order to restore them to the fullness of life" (Blevins par.6). This quote helps us
understand our need for the works of mercy and the protection the provide against the dangers of
hell, they play a big part in our spiritual restoration. In the end, we can see our need for the works of
mercy and the role the play in restoring and protecting

Chaucer 's The Church
The General Prologue is piece of a larger text that displays Geoffrey Chaucer's feelings towards the
Catholic Church. The Catholic Church at the time of this text was in a period of great prosperity. As
Chaucer introduces characters to the story, he gives descriptions about both physical and spiritual
details. The Friar, the Pardoner, and the Prioress are all examples of corruption with the people
operating within accordance of the Church. During the reading of this text it can be hard to get a
clear read on Chaucer's feelings, but after the completion of the General Prologue and piecing all of
the information together; Chaucer shows more interest in sharing the corruption of the Church rather
than the good side. The Church during Chaucer's time period was generating massive amounts of
revenue and corruption. This was a time period where there were multiple Popes running around
throughout Europe. So, it is reasonable to see skepticism from Chaucer during this time. For
example the Monk enjoyed hunting: Grehoundes he hadde as swift as fowl in flight. Of priking and
of hunting for the hare Was al his lust, for no cost wolde he spare I sawgh his sleeves purfiled at the
hand With gris, and that the fineste of a land (Chaucer, 191–196)
Hunting during this time was quite expensive and was most likely a leisure activity for the wealthy.
This Monk had greyhound dogs chasing after bunny rabbits, which seems a little odd for a public
servant. The detail of the Monks

The Theological Arguments For and Against the Ordination...
The Theological Arguments For and Against the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood
" Women should be kept silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but
should be subordinate, as even the law says .'' (Corinthians 14: 34–35.)
Does St.Paul give an interpretation of the culturally conditioned views of his period, or that of Jesus
Christ, the Son of God? This question emphasises the ongoing debate over women's ordination
within the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox churches. 'A person ordained to act as a mediator
between God and human–beings administering the sacraments and preaching' is the more simplified
definition of a priest. For the purposes of this essay a far more ... Show more content on
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To theologically examine the arguments we have to understand the historical and theological Christ.
Jesus was the Son of God, the incarnation and human form of God. Therefore God's teachings
represent Jesus' and vice versa. In Genesis 2: 18–23 God specifically made a woman out of a man,
apparently implying male supremacy. Yet Genesis 1:27 reads
"God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female."
Backed up with further passages(Galatians 3:28 and Acts 10:34) we can see the first theological
belief in equality. However this also shows that the Bible can be a questionable source for issues
such as ordination considering these Genesis passages are reasonably inconsistent. This statement of
equality can be questioned as God incarnated himself as a male, Jesus, and resulted in an important
argument to signify why only men should fulfil the requirements for Priesthood. However, it seems
conservative Catholicism may have misinterpreted the distinction God purposely made between
men and women. Catholic and Orthodox churches argue God incarnated himself as a male because
when acting in the person of Christ, must carry a natural resemblance to him. Yet God should neither
be pictured in

Luther, By Martin Luther
Martin Luther, born in 1483, grew up in a devout Roman Catholic household, where the church
stood at the center of his world. However, he suffered at the hand of his parents' harsh criticism. His
father had emerged from the feudal system into the new middle class as a successful Coppersmith.
His desire was for his son to also climb the social ladder. To assist with his son's success, Luther's
father was a fierce judge of the character of his son, and often punished him severely for his failures.
From these experiences, Luther developed a low self–esteem and fear of failure, which encroached
on every aspect of his life, including his theology. Luther's father sent him to the best schools in the
area with the intention of his son becoming a lawyer. Luther successfully obtained a bachelor's
degree, followed by his master's degree. However, Luther did not become a lawyer. At the age of 22,
in the year 1505, Luther was a few weeks into his law school career. He was walking back to college
from a brief visit home when he was caught in a violent thunderstorm. A lightning bolt struck near
him, and Luther, fearing for his life, prayed to Saint Anne, a patroness for those in mortal peril and
protector from thunderstorms, for intercession. He promised that if he survived the thunderstorm, he
would become a monk. Luther survived the storm and kept to his word. Two weeks after the storm,
Luther joined a monastery, hoping to find "assurance of God's favor" in his new home. Luther, along

Analysis Of George Weigel 's Book ' Letters Of A Young...
Through thick and thin, Catholicism has been around for quite a long time. With millions of
followers from around the globe, it has grown to become one of the largest religious faiths. Every
single one of these Christians has their own unique story about how their faith has significantly
affected their lives. In his book, George Weigel shares his experience as a Catholic growing up in
late 1950's and 1960's in Baltimore. On page 9 of his book "Letters to a Young Catholic", he says
"The real 'Catholic difference' ... was, at bottom, a way of seeing the world" (Weigel 9). This means
that what separates a Catholic from the rest is our experience and knowledge of God, through which
we are given the power to experience the world differently than most others can. I do feel this way
as well. Being Catholic, I feel that I definitely experience the world differently than others.
Whenever I see or hear about a tragic event that has occurred, I can hold solace in the idea that
everything is all part of God's master plan and that it will all work out in the end. If I am every
struggling for anything, whether it an exorbitant amount of homework I have for a weekend or an
difficult test or quiz coming up that I haven't had time to study for, I know that I can trust in God
and that everything will be alright in the long run. Being Catholic has also taught me to be thankful
for the smaller things in life, because it is the smaller things that can add up to make a bad day turn
around. Like

The Catholic Church And The Church
The Catholic Church has always been one to hand out praise fairly freely. There is a patron saint for
everything, from plague to beekeeping to flowers. There are patron saints for specific cities, patron
saints for specific trades, and patron saints for almost any object that comes to mind. However, in
the past, the process of becoming a saint, known as canonization, was at the least thoroughly
investigative. The Catholic Church has strict beliefs to be upheld and represented. For example,
charity work has always been an enormous part of the Church and its mission. The entirety of the
Catholic Church, including any and all charities affiliated with the Church, donates approximately
$30 billion to charity annually in the U.S. alone (Jacobson). Any person who is on the track to
canonization must be one who upholds those values, that same generosity that is so ingrained in the
Church. In September of 2016, Mother Teresa is going to be beatified by Pope Francis. While
beatification, or the act of confirming that a person has been in heaven since their death, is not the
final step in canonization, it is the biggest and most important part of the process. However, Mother
Teresa's charity work was not as advantageous as the Catholic Church has let on thus far. Although
she is credited with providing food and healthcare to the poor, the terrible quality of her treatment,
her lack of qualification, and her fraudulent behaviors are too often overlooked; therefore, Mother
Teresa should

Female Priests And The Gender Inequality Within The...
Female priests and the gender inequality within the Catholic Church
From the rampant persecution of science and inquiry during the Age of Enlightenment, to the
condemnation of abortion and the use of contraceptives in the most HIV/AIDS ridden regions of
Africa today, the Catholic Church has nearly always been the "thorn in the side" of progressive
ideas, movements, organizations, and institutions. Today the Catholic Church remains one of the
largest religious entities on the planet, with nineteen percent of the world's population and a half of
all Christians adhering to its religious doctrines ("Catholic Desires for Change"). Catholicism is
unique among Christian secs for its incredibly long history and staunch traditionalism. The church
structure has remained almost unchanged since the time of the Roman Empire, and its doctrines are
slow evolving at best. The Catholic Church only recently amended its stance on the heliocentric
nature of the solar system, when in nineteen ninety two Pope John Paul II exonerated Galileo
Galilei's crimes of heresy, three centuries after the man's death (Cowell, 1992). As many western
institutions begin to diversify their gender and ethnic makeup, the Catholic Church has remained
almost devoid of female participation in all positions of authority and significance. The Church's
sedated progressivism has never been more egregious than in the rapidly changing society of the last
half century, with the millennia old barriers of sexism rapidly

The Debate Of Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Embryonic stem cell research is a hot topic of debate in our modern age, as scientific development
continues to push the boundaries of ethics. The debates lies in whether or not it is helping or
hindering society, as the procedure involves the manipulation of a human embryo.
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are derived from a week old human embryo (blastocyst), often
developed from unused in vitro fertilised eggs. They are pluripotent, meaning they are capable of
undergoing directed differentiation and developing into a plethora of cell types. They have to
potential therefore to cure a vast number of diseases, including Parkinson's, diabetes, spinal cord
injury and heart diseases (V. Rebecca, 2013). Those who support the ECS research state that the
week old blastocysts are purely a cluster of cells, not a human being. However those who detest the
research view the week old blastocysts as an embryo, a human life. This is where the parties differ
in arguments and ethical values, therefore bringing about the heated debates.
Within this report the key ethical arguments and values of Catholic, Islamic and secular groups will
be highlighted, and the catholic position will be evaluated in comparison to these differing positions.
It will be made evident through analysis that the Catholic stance is mostly deontological, and varies
widely to the Islamic and secular positions pertaining more to utilitarianism.
1.0 Key ethical arguments of each group
1.1 Catholic
The Catholic Church

The Vatican Bank: Conforming to Caritas in Veritate?
John Razel A. Mapaye
BSA –IV
Accounting Synthesis
Case Name:
"The Vatican Bank: Conforming to Caritas in Veritate?"
By Richard Hudson
Facts:
The Institute for Religious Works (IOR), commonly known as the Vatican Bank is one of the most
secretive and controversial financial institutions in the world. Since the inception of the modern
Bank in 1943, the Vatican Bank has faced a series of scandals relating to its role in the Second
World War, accusations of money laundering and its role in the collapse of Banco Ambrosiano in
1982. However, what makes these scandals and accusations particularly interesting is that the
Vatican Bank operates within the Catholic Church, an organization with its own tradition of
financial ethics ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
No criminal proceedings were lodged due to the diplomatic immunity of those involved within the
Vatican Bank.
While these accusations of money laundering are state–centric, there are also accusations the
Vatican Bank's statuses as an offshore financial center has been used by individuals and
organizations to launder money, particularly from Italy. Italian investigations into money laundering
through the Vatican Bank began in 2009. While investigations from Italian officials have since
concluded, these issues illustrate how money laundering has followed the Vatican Bank into the 21st
century.
The Bank has initiated a series of reforms to make it more compliant with international Banking
practices, including the creation of the Holy See's Financial Intelligence Authority. There also were
a number of high–profile resignations including the Head of the Vatican Bank in 2012. In 2014,
Pope Francis also sacked four of the five Cardinals charged with managing the Bank because of
corruption allegations. In June 2014, the Pope fired the five man board of the Financial Information
Authority (AIF), the Holy See's internal regulatory office. Pope Francis replaced the all–male Italian
board with four financial experts including a woman for the first time.

Transparency
While concerns about money laundering and illegal money transfers have flared up periodically

Biography Of Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli 's Influence On The...
"The Christian Tradition today, has been guided, changed and influenced by the contribution of
significant people or schools of thought"
Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was born on the 25th November 1881 in Bermago, Italy. Being born into
a poor family with 12 other siblings, Angelo was the brightest and the oldest boy. Being a bright boy
from a young age he was guided towards priesthood where he was sent to a seminary to study since
his parents were to poor to afford to send him to a school. While studying at the seminary his
interest for Christianity grew. He then studied in Rome having earned a scholarship. Roncallli was
ordained not long after in 1904. This was the start of his social justice work which grew stronger
when he was servicing ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
He changed the language from latin to english which was and is the most common spoken language.
This change was to make everyone feel they are welcome and are not restricted to another
domination because of the language. These changes not only affect the one religion, Christianity but
it also affected Judaism. Christians became aware of their religion being very similar to Christianity.
"He removed certain words offensive to Jews from the official liturgy of the church". [2] This
formed a new relationship between the two religions which was the purpose of the Vatican II. Today
Pope John XXIII's actions during the Vatican II influence our thoughts towards other religions to be
respectful and therefore have changed the way we treat other traditions, denominations and
religions.
From a young age Pope John XXIII has believed he can achieve true world peace through social
justice. During the Vatican II Pope John XXIII released two encyclicals. One of the encyclicals is
call "Mater et Magistra". Mater et Magistra was written by Pope John XXIII and was about
Christianity and social progress and to give human dignity. Mater et Magistra means "mother and
teacher". This encyclicals was written and released to draw attention to each person to bring out
social justice to the world. [3] "It is a right which must be exercised not only for one 's own personal
benefit but

Liberation Theology Essay
Jeremy Partin I. Title Page II. Thesis Page III. Introduction Liberation theology in Latin America
was first introduced in the late 1960's, although it became famous after the writing of Gustavo
Gutierrez. The roots of liberation theology can be traced back to Europe because Catholic priests
were sent there to go to school. It was there where they became radicalized and sent back to Latin
America. This radicalization led many to start thinking differently, including Gutierrez. He and
others wanted to be independent from the usual European Catholic style. They wanted to create their
own theology for their culture. They believed that they should have their own institution to teach
their own beliefs to their own people. With these new ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It was a way of thinking and interpreting the bible. However it ended up being more than that. It
analyzed history from different perspectives and acknowledged Marxism thoughts. (V.A.1) One
main purpose of liberation theology was to help the poor. Gustavo Gutierrez coined the term
liberation theology, and is considered to be the father of it to most people. He believed praxis was
the starting point. Theology was the second stage. This was basically a practice of theory. Praxis
involved taking action for the poor and the oppressed. The start of this new was caused from various
reasons. One reason was that all bishops were sent to Europe to be educated. When they came back,
they would be radicalized. Latin Americans wanted their own schooling for priests. They didn't want
European ideas; they wanted their ideas from their culture. Another big problem was poverty and
human rights. Most Latin Americans were poverty stricken. Most countries in Latin America didn't
have any human rights. Therefore one their main focuses was social injustice. (V.A.1) During their
time period, many theologians were criticized or harassed. For example, there were fifteen attempts
to assassinate Dom Helder Camera, who was a significant figure in liberation theology. Many were
threatened. Some were arrested, tortured, or killed. While there were others who just disappeared.
However they still practiced their beliefs and spread their ideas. (V.B.2) One problem with

Latin America and the Catholic Church Essay
Running head: LATIN AMERICAAND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
xxxx
HUMN xxx xxxx February 11, 2011
In 1983, Pope John Paul II visited Nicaragua in response to word that a growing alliance between
priests and Marxists revolutionaries was emerging in Latin America. Historically, the Catholic
Church in Europe had taken a strong anti–communist stance. And so the emerging alliance troubled
Pope John Paul II despite the fact that priests claimed they were simply doing what Christ would do
in championing the interests of the poor.
When news began spreading throughout Nicaragua that Pope John Paul II would be visiting, the
reform minded Catholics of the country became hopeful that the pope would somehow lend his
support to the revolutionary ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
6). But liberation theology, according to conservative critics, is a type of socialist Christianity. Its
philosophical underpinnings suggest that change comes through political activism and even war and
revolution if peaceful means have failed. In addition, liberation theologians view sin as the root of
poverty and capitalism as the most ruinous form of sin on earth. Thus, Liberation Theologists argue
that capitalism should be confronted as pure evil and replaced by a more just and equitable socialist
system. The Pope unequivocally denounced these ideas as ideologically misguided. Many
Nicaraguan Catholics were disappointed with the Pope's position on political action because they
felt like he missed a chance to bolster the revolution and support much needed change for the
people. They had lived under years of tyranny and oppression at the hands of the conservative
regime. And thousands of innocent Nicaraguan citizens had suffered gross social injustices and even
death at the hands of their oppressors. If the Pope had supported their revolutionary cause, the
people would have enjoyed the backing of the Catholic Church. And if that had occurred, it would
have provided the people with a sense of spiritual support in their fight for freedom and equality.
But the Pope's denouncement of Liberation Theology and the

The Reason For Francis 's Resignation
The order that Francis founded would start from a simple idea of living a very poor life, preaching
the teaching of Jesus and submission to the church or anyone in need. A main part of Francis vision
involves helping those in need without anything in return. The reason for Francis's resignation
comes from his coming to terms with the size of his movement. The leper help show Francis
understanding the size of his movement since it shows the way of life he preached, the struggle with
some of his follower and the need to create a rule for his followers.
Francis resignation from his movement in 1220 comes from the idea of his vision which is
expressed in his experience with the lepers in Assisi. Francis as a youth would see the lepers as
going ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Rather than trying to follow or lead others for personal gain, the way to find spiritual peace is in
helping and placing others above one's own interest. The problem with putting others interest over
one's own is that does not help in being a leader who needs to guide people. He may place certain
acts as example of his way of life, but he cannot impose his idea on anyone since the very idea of
submitting to someone should be voluntary. In many ways, the reason Francis resign is that once his
movement becomes too big, he could no longer oversee everything his followers would do and
without a rule, his followers would misinterpret his vision.
A major issue that would cause Francis to believe he was not good enough and resign was the issue
with Brother John of Cappella. Helping the lepers would be one of Francis's first task of leaving the
world and gain God's mercy yet he would be outraged by the actions of John of Capella and his
community helping the lepers. His reaction to this would be to appeal to the pope for assistance to
abolish this movement yet a question that remains is the reason he would want to stop it. Thompson
does gives a possible reason by saying," John's leper project threatened to professionalize such
service, thereby allowing most friars to avoid it. ... Last thing Francis wanted was for his order to
become a group of social workers or hospital attendants. The Lesser Brothers were called to live
according to the

Pope Saint John III Research Paper
Pope Saint John XXIII
Pope Saint John XXIII was born as Angelo Guiseppe Roncalli on the 25th November 1881. He was
the eighth child in his family and his parents were poor sharecroppers that lived in a small Italian
town. He was ordained as a priest in 1904. Pope Pius IX, who was pope up until 1903, had made a
command that all Catholic priests were to be entirely separated from the political world. His
successor, Pope Pius X, the pope during Roncalli's ordination, took this a step further and attempted
to remove all forms of modernism from the church.
When the world entered WW1 in 1914 Roncalli was drafted into the Italian army as a medic. Post
war he returned home briefly but was then sent off to Bulgaria to become a missionary. He ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
What do they seek? What do they implore of you? Not these new monstrous instruments of war
which our times have produced and which can annihilate us all –– not these, but peace." Pope Saint
John XXIII also released an encyclical titled "Pacem in Terris" (Peace on Earth) which was a
document, not just addressed to Catholics, but to all people. It called for greater interfaith Dialog
between Religious Traditions and that all people have "a natural right to be respected", "A right to
freedom" and a right "To his good name". Pope Saint John XXIII concludes with "...may Christ
inflame the desires of all men to break through the barriers which divide them, to strengthen the
bonds of mutual love, to learn to understand one another, and to pardon those who have done them
wrong." Pope Saint John XXIII's goals of peace have changed the secular and non–Christians
worlds view of Christianity. His involvement in politics paved the way for future popes to get
involved in political issues, such as Pope Francis' involvement in the Palestine/Israel peace talks last
year. Another encyclical composed by Pope Saint John XXIII was "Mater et Magistra" (Mother and
Teacher). It called for Christians to take up social justice work as to allow "all nations at last enjoy
true prosperity, happiness and

Reaction Paper
REACTION PAPER on GOD IS DEAD
The lines, "God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him," can be true in literal sense.
Subjectively, the lines presented are very agnostic and atheistic. Those are against my will and belief
as a Roman Catholic faithful. The three shorter mentioned lines are three important points to be
clarified about.
The first line says, God is dead is true in literal sense. In the Scriptures, it written that Jesus became
man and so he died as a human. Yes, I believe that God really died. He was crucified by the high
priests' and the people's demand and at the order of the governor, Pontius Pilate. Jesus died humbly
at the cross and every person present there had seen His timely death.
The second point here ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Learning what is real is a step by step process; as learning occurs in stages. With each step, we
become wiser and so, we gain full wisdom which is useful for our decision making and daily
struggles.
Plato's point of making just leaders who can lead his men justly is an important proposition for a
better government. This is very ideal, however, the sad reality today is that not all leaders are
blessed with the virtue of justice, fairness and sincerity. Maybe these leaders haven't acquired full
wisdom yet. They failed to achieve the highest stage for they are too preoccupied with
misconceptions, false realities or maybe they are blinded with injustices and self–interests.
Life is a copy of a copy of reality. It is idealistic to view that everything we conceive can be false or
real but somehow, as time advances, the truth will soon be within reach. Human beings should know
how to use this truth to their society.
A REACTION on EUTHANASIA
Thou shall not kill, is the fifth commandment. It is a sin to kill. We are not given the right to stop the
life of an individual no matter what the circumstances are.
Euthanasia is also known as mercy killing. It refers to the practice of ending a life in order to relieve
pain and suffering. It can be voluntary, non–voluntary, and involuntary.

No matter what the reason is, euthanasia is still a form of killing whether

The Kingdom Of God Essay
In this paper, I will examine the key theme within Jesus' ministry which is his proclamation of the
Kingdom (or reign) of God. In order to grasp the significance and meaning of this promulgation, I
will begin by explaining why many scholars believe that the Kingdom of God is the central theme
within Jesus' message and ministry. Then I will explore eight significant aspects of the Kingdom of
God that help to elucidate this phrase. After looking at these various facets of the kingdom, I will
conclude with a brief explanation of why this theme is so important to understanding Jesus and his
ministry. The initial question that needs to be addressed is: why do many scholars think that the
proclamation of the Kingdom of God is the key theme of Jesus' message and ministry? For many
scholars, Jesus' ministry derives its meaning and serves only one particular function which is to
proclaim God's final reign and kingdom. Scholars are very confident about this theme's centrality
because of the numerous occurrences within Jesus' sayings about the Kingdom of God. Throughout
the Gospels, Jesus employs three different and inter–changeable expressions to talk about God's
reign which is: the "Kingdom of Heaven," the "Kingdom of God," and the "Kingdom of my Father."
These references to God's reign can be found either implicitly or explicitly in Jesus' "parables,
prayer, beatitudes, eschatological prophecies, [and] miracle stories." Another reason why scholars
think that the Kingdom of

Abortion And Birth Control Rights In The Catholic Church.
Abortion and Birth Control Rights in the Catholic Church In our modern world, the topics of
abortion rights and access to birth control seem to be at the top of the list for political strife and
conversation; being "pro–choice" and "pro–life" are labels thrown around between Republicans and
Democrats on the political platform. Despite the topics' recent political trend due to our country's
new pro–life administration, it has always been a trending topic for women since the 1960s.
Monumentally, the 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade made abortion legal. Despite its legal
status, the controversy over the rights a woman has to choose her stance on abortion and birth
control stems further than the political spectrum; it is often an internal ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
A 54–year–old Catholic woman stated in an interview conducted on the topic of the modernization
of the church insightfully noted that Vatican II allowed for "practical changes," like " music and
singing, and women allowed into upfront roles as readers, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers, as well
as altar servers in some places." Vatican II "aimed to produce a different experience of the mass,"
but also set out to reposition the church in a relative relationship with the modern world (Mathis).
With smaller–scale changes occurring within the Roman Catholic Church, pro–choice Catholics
hoped the Vatican II could also change its views on women's sexual health. Conversation about
abortion and birth control legitimately started within the Catholic Church for the first time in the
early 1960s–prior to this era, such topics were not even murmured let alone acknowledged.
However, women vocalizing concerns about sexual wellbeing often poses a problem for the modern
religious woman: "Catholic women whose feminist consciousness is raised have been alienated
from the Catholic hierarchy by few issues so much as by the abortion issue." Women are finding it
difficult to take a moral stance on something that is not only a religious problem, but also a social
one: "Unlike men, who have always enjoyed virtually total control over their participation in the
reproductive process . . . women have never been able to freely determine [their participation
because]

Comtemplative
Life of San Pedro Calungsod
Blessed Pedro Calungsod (c. 1654 – April 2, 1672) was a young Roman Catholic Filipino sacristan
and missionary catechist, who along with Spanish Jesuit missionary Blessed Diego Luis de San
Vitores, suffered religious persecution and martyrdom on Guam for their missionary work in 1672.
Calungsod was beatified on March 5, 2000 by Blessed Pope John Paul II. On February 18, 2012,
Pope Benedict XVI officially announced at Saint Peter's Basilica that Calungsod will be canonised
on October 21, 2012.
Pedro was just one of the boy catechists who went with San Vitores from the Philippines to the
Ladrones Islands in the western North Pacific Ocean in 1668 to evangelize the ... Show more
The victim of all this invasion is the traditional Faith, the traditional moral standards, the cultural
ways of life and behavior which 400 years of Christianity have tried to make part of the Filipinos'
way of life.
Against the attacks on Christian life, against the prevailing lack of commitment to anything beyond
material gain in contemporary culture, against the confusion and relativism of post–modernism, the
unrestrained struggle for wealth and pleasure of the global culture preached by the media, we can
place before the eyes of the young a role model of commitment to Christ and to his Gospel. We can
invoke the intercession of a 17–year–old native Filipino to pray for, inspire and lead young people to
a new understanding and love for Christ and his way, to a willingness to give witness to what the
Gospel teaches, to a readiness by a young person to give his life for Christ and his Church.
More: in an age when, as Pope John Paul II has said, youth in the Philippines must be willing to
bravely proclaim their Christian Faith, both at home and even in other lands, what more splendid
thing can be done than to give a concrete young person, catechist and missionary who is alive in the
Crucified and Risen Christ today, for our young people to know, to pray to, to imitate?
Christmas & New Year's Vacation
Blessed Day! It was a vacation but most important it is the birth of

Definitions Of The First Vatican Council
The task of the first Vatican Council is clearly defined in the following declaration at the opening of
the Council:
" The Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church believes and confesses that there is one true and
living God, Creator and Lord of heaven and earth, Almighty, Eternal, Immense, Incomprehensible,
Infinite in intelligence, in will, and in all perfection, who, as being one, sole, absolutely simple and
immutable spiritual substance, is to be declared as really and essentially distinct from the world, of
supreme beatitude in and from Himself, and ineffably exalted above all things which exist, or are
conceivable, except Himself ".
The opening statement at the Second Vatican Council declares:
" It is clear, therefore, that sacred tradition, Sacred Scripture and the teaching authority of the
Church, in accord with God's most wise design, are so linked and joined together that one cannot
stand without the others, and that all together and each in its own way under the action of the one
Holy Spirit contribute effectively to the salvation of souls."
Both declarations define with great clarity what each Council set out as the unique task and aims
they desire to achieve. They declare one faith but with different goals and objectives, similar and
dissimilar. The Second Vatican Council's methodology towards originality was similar to that of the
First Vatican Council. The theological declarations of each council were deeply predisposed by the
socio–political background during

The Beliefs Of The Church, The Laity, And Society
"Dear Fathers, we should listen again to the lament of God proclaimed by the prophet Jeremiah:
"they have turned their back to me" (2:27). Let us turn again towards the Lord!" (Sarah qtd Cardinal
Sarah's Top 5 Quotes from Sacra Liturgia 2016 np). In a time when tradition is seen as something
distasteful and backwards, people have become increasing focused inwards, on themselves. In the
Catholic world, this has become increasingly apparent in the way Mass is celebrated. In order to
combat this self–focused mindset of the world, a return to the historical orientation known as ad
orientem would benefit the Church, the laity, and society. Ad orientem is one of two liturgical
orientations used in liturgical Christianity, and historically, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net
...
While the architectural reasoning for ad orientem is clear, there is a deeper reasoning underlying this
orientation. At the heart of ad orientem lies the symbolism of Christ returning from the east with the
rising sun. The parts of the Mass that are directed to God are said facing east, towards Christ's
return, and the parts directed towards the congregation are proclaimed towards the assembled
faithful. When the priest and the people face the same direction, with the priest at the head of the
assembly, he is fulfilling his job to represent them before God, and to intercede for his flock. At the
same time, the laity unite with the priest by facing the same direction, presenting their prayers in
union with the sacrifice he offers on their behalf. With this common orientation, the worship of the
entire church is focused vertically, towards God, instead of horizontally, where the priest and the
people appear to be talking to each other, instead of speaking together, to God. By shrouding the
personality of the celebrant, ad orientem facilitates both the priest's and the congregation's worship
better. Without having to think about the people in the pews watching him, the priest is free to enter
more deeply into the Mass. Likewise, with the priest's face obscured, the focus shifts away from the
particular priest's personality, and back to the action of the Mass. People naturally watch the faces of
others, and this biological instinct doesn 't cease the

Interview
uring the late 1970s, while I was in college, I met a young man – I'll call him John – who was born
in the Middle East. John immigrated to the United States when he was a teenager. He was a few
years older than me and it seemed as though every time I saw him, we ended up talking about
religion, politics, and the volatility in the Middle East.
John grew up in a Christian environment and had great love and affection for his wife, parents, and
extended family. On one occasion, John made it clear to me that he hated Palestinians. He said that
they had no right to live and that they all deserved to die. I was shocked by the level of hatred John
had toward people he had never met.
We ended up getting into an argument, with me expressing shock and ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
These in fact were a quotation from a medieval text, which do not in any way express my personal
thought."
I can understand why Pope Francis danced around the issue of Islamic terrorism. There is no doubt
that he remembers what happened when Pope Benedict dealt with the issue in a more direct manner.
In reality, the war that is being waged by ISIS is a religious, political, and economic war. The goal of
ISIS is world domination – domination over all people, schools, banks, businesses, courts, hospitals,
and other institutions. With regard to Christians, ISIS has made it clear that Christians have only
three options: death, convert to Islam, or remain Christian and comply with the laws of the state,
which include the payment a special tax by Christians.
For those of us who are Christians and who grew up in the United States, we have a hard time
comprehending the true hatred that exists in other parts of the world. We understand that there can
be "perfect love," but we have never considered whether a person can have perfect hatred toward
another

Summary : ' The Sagrada Familia ' Essay
Haley Ware
Disc 1313
Final Paper
4 May 2015
The Sagrada Familia The Spanish sun beamed through the stained glass windows of the church,
illuminating Pope Benedict XVI in a rainbow of colors giving him an angelic glow. It was a glorious
spectacle; adorned in golden robes and emanating holiness, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated The
Sagrada Familia. The story made national news, it was a monumental day for the Roman Catholic
Church and The Sagrada Familia, and people all across the world reflected the importance. Those
who stood inside the incredible Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family that day, or any other day,
were struck by the knowledge that they are surrounded by one of the world's greatest pieces of art.
Everywhere visitors look there are geometric forms and artistic intricacies that represent the
teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, even the exterior is garnished with sculptures and designs
that have a biblical connotations. Standing in the heart of Barcelona, the basilica has been under
construction for more that 140 years its completion isn't projected for at least ten more years. Even
in an unfinished state it is widely appreciated and universally deemed valuable. The Sagrada Familia
elicits value through the man who designed it, the incredible labor of its construction, its striking
beauty, and its religious affiliations. Through the incredible worth of the grand basilica it inspires;
those who value the church subsequently find their own values reflecting the

Blessed Chiara Badano : The Characteristics Of An Epic Hero
All around the world, children read stories of epic heroes and heroines. They dream of becoming
one, but never really think they are brave enough, selfless enough, humble enough. But the truth is,
if they live each day better than their last, and live ultimately with love in their heart, they can have
what it takes to be somebody's epic hero. "I have nothing left, but I have my heart, and with that I
can always love." A heroine receives help from a higher place, is courageous, and is humble before a
greater power. At 17 years, Chiara Badano contracted osteosarcoma in her shoulder. But through her
devotion to God, she remained brave yet humble during her tortuous treatment. Blessed Chiara
Badano embodies the characteristics of an epic heroine because she was humble, courageous, and
received supernatural help from the Lord. Blessed Chiara Badano was a humble servant of God, for
she never whined or complained about her lot in life. She showed humility even though she endured
painful surgery as treatment for her cancer. Every time she would undergo another surgery, no
matter the pain, she knew that God had not forsaken her, saying each time, "For you, Jesus; if you
want it, I want it too!"(Bodenschatz). No matter the torture, no matter the agony, Chiara Badano
would shout out her love of Christ to the world. It did not matter how much suffering she was
drowning in, she never forsook her savior. If her pain was God's will, so too, was it Chiara's. By
never giving up, by

The Eucharist
The Eucharist (Otherwise known as the Holy Communion or the Blessed Sacrament) is a Catholic
sacrament considered to be the apex of Christianity. While some Catholics and different branches of
the English Church believe that this bread and wine are transformed into the literal blood and body
of Christ, others believe that it is a simple expression of faith. It is considered to be the very essence
of love that binds us to the savior; and it is this teaching of love that inspires the Catholic view on
social justice. Social justice spreads love to all humankind, via fighting for equality and respect for
all man. The Eucharist is the symbolism of this love, and it is the concept that inspires the catholic
doctrine of the social mission. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
(Engerberton, 2003, p. 156)
In order to understand the power of the Eucharist in Social Justice, basic points of the Catholic
doctrine on this subject must also be understood.
'If Christian precepts prevail, the respective classes will not only be united in bonds of friendship,
but also those of brotherly love.' (Leo XIII, Rerum Morarun, 25)
According to Leo XIII and his letter 'Rerum Morarun', social justice should be working towards
uniting the classes, in not only friendship and equality, but also in 'brotherly love.' This love and
equality is mentioned again in Catholic social justice doctrine, by Pope Benedict in his encyclical
letter 'Caritas in Virtitate'. He states that 'charity is at the heart of the Church's social doctrine'
(Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 2). In speaking of charity, denoted by love for fellow man, the
Pope is creating (or restating) the hypostasis of social justice. Pope John XIII authored an encyclical
letter, Pacen in Terris, speaking of this love for fellow man, as stated in the following quote–
'Human society, as we picture it, demands that men are guided by justice [...] It demands, too, that
they be animated by such love [...]' (John XIII, Pacen in Terris, 35) He talks of being guided by
Christ's justice, but also of being 'animated by love'. This is referring to the love received when
partaking in the Eucharist. As the love of the

The Second Vatican Council And Its Lasting Effects
The Second Vatican Council and Its Lasting Effects
Kevin Buckley
11/21/16
THE 1000C
Dr. Holland
As time constantly presses forward and the earth continues to revolve, the world will never stop
progressing and adapting to better suit the needs of mankind. The evolution of religion has greatly
enhanced the quality of life for humanity by providing individuals with a strong belief system that is
now the foundation of many peoples' core values. One universal religion that has undergone
extensive amounts of reform is Christianity. In particular, the Catholic church is well–known for the
development of their famous ecumenical council meetings that help determine the future of the
church. Numerous Councils have been conducted throughout the course of history, but none more
significant than the most recent, the Second Vatican Council or Vatican II. The Catholic church was
operating as if it was still the medieval period and desperately needed to be modernized. As a result,
every Roman Catholic Church official was gathered to meet and devise a plan for how to introduce
the church to the modern world. Consequently, the following will reveal the Second Vatican Council
and the ramifications of the agenda, history and theology evolution, significant texts, and new
developments. January 25th 1959, is a day every catholic remembers because it was on that day
when Pope John XXIII announced that he was assembling what was to be the 21st ecumenical
council of the Roman

Catholic Church Research Papers

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