Catholic Dogmas, Doctrines and Principles - What are they good for?

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JMJ

They are good anchors for weathering the storm that is rocking the Barque of Peter and guides for decision making and action taking.

In my earlier article on principles, I provided a list of principles that I think are particularly important in these times - especially when confronted with all sorts of aberrant behaviour from people who should know and act better (the list is long).


To this list I have would add the Four Marks and Visibility of the Church(see link), as in this crisis ignorance is causing people to believe all sorts of fantasies.

Pray lest you enter into temptation.

When you're not praying, read the Catechism of Trent on the 'One Holy Catholic Apostolic' Church.

P^3

1. The Church is "A body of men united together by the profession of    the same Christian Faith, and by participation in the same sacraments,    under the governance of lawful pastors, more especially of the Roman    Pontiff, the sole vicar of Christ on earth" (Bellarmine, De Eccl., III, ii,    9) - Catholic Encyclopedia
2. This Church includes both the good and the bad.  Even if the hierarchy, is 'debased by crime' they are still within the Church and    retain their authority - Catechism of the Council of Trent
3. There are degrees to heresy with 'heresy - proper' being the    'pertinacious' denial of a defined de fide teaching (238 ish teachings).   This degree of heresy must be manifested by the individual publicly and pertinaciously in order for the separation from the Church noted above to  be in effect.  - Catholic Encyclopedia
4. Following this a Catholic material heretic remains 'in the Church' as their error is presumed to be temporary and that they would submit when corrected by the Church - Catholic Encyclopedia
5. In anything less than an explicit denial of a de-fide truth, a  compentent authority has to render a judgment. - Robert Siscoe quoting    Canon Hesse.
6. The sin of schism has the same effect as heresy, in that it renders  the responsible person outside of the Church.  Simple disobedience does not constitute schism, unless it includes a denial of the authorities 'Divine right to command'. As such the refusal of submission to a legitimate  command can imply such a denial. - Catholic Encyclopedia
7. "The Church is indefectible, that is, she remains and will remain the Institution of Salvation, founded by Christ, until the end of the world. (Sent. certa.)" Ott - Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma
8. The Church is visible, and the foundation of both its visibility and unity is the Pope - Ott and First Vatican Council
9. Because of indefectibility the Church, even now, retains the four marks (One, Holy, Catholic & Apostolic). Following the principle of indefectibility and the special infallibility afforded to the Church in her discipline and laws, the new sacraments as promulgated are valid and  provide grace under the normal conditions (form, matter, intention).
10. Obedience due to a superior is required if the command falls within  the scope of authority and are not 'against God'.  Disobedience in this  condition is sinful - Summa 2,2, Q104, A5
11. Correction of a superior can be done in charity and must be done 'in  a becoming manner, not with impudence and harshness, but with gentleness and respect' - Summa II II Q.33, a.4, ad 2m