Was what I was told about Catholics correct?
score:3
No, that is not correct
Your friends/associates are speaking from ignorance (at best), and possibly out of spite.
Papal Infallibility
Per the Ecumenical Council now referred to as Vatican I (1870), papal infallibility relates to declarations made ex cathedra pertaining to faith and morals. (Catholic Encyclopedia, Infalliblity, Explanation of papal infallibility)
The Vatican Council has defined as "a divinely revealed dogma" that "the Roman Pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra — that is, when in the exercise of his office as pastor and teacher of all Christians he defines, by virtue of his supreme Apostolic authority, a doctrine of faith or morals to be held by the whole Church — is, by reason of the Divine assistance promised to him in blessed Peter, possessed of that infallibility with which the Divine Redeemer wished His Church to be endowed in defining doctrines of faith and morals; and consequently that such definitions of the Roman Pontiff are irreformable of their own nature (ex sese) and not by reason of the Church's consent" (Denzinger no. 1839 — old no. 1680).
The most recent ex cathedra declaration regards the dogma of the Assumption of Mary (Apostolic Constitution of Pope Pius XII Munificentissimus Deus(AAS 42 [1950], 760-762, 767-769). Ex cathedra declarations are rare.
About Penance
Catholics believe that they have to say something like 5 to 10 of the lords prayer and possibly a few "Hail Mary"s added to the mix per sin depending on how "bad" it is.
That is sheer ignorance. A wide variety of things can be assigned to the penitent during confession (the sacrament of penance and reconciliation, CCC 1422- 1489) by the confessor(priest) to include actions, apologies, repayment, restitution (and much more) depending upon the sin and circumstances. Prayer is also usually assigned. Why? To turn back toward God and away from sin. (See Repentance).
Prayer is as an opening of the heart to God.
CCC 2258 WHAT IS PRAYER?
For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. ~ St. Therese of Lisieux, Manuscrits autobiographiques, C 25r.1
The point of prayer after confession is to head back into the direction of avoiding sin and near occasions of sin. This may include prayers (Hail Mary, Our Father, Glory Be, others) but just saying these prayers yourself is in no way, shape, or form the approved method of confessing and resolving mortal sin -- that requires seeking absolution through the sacrament of penance and reconciliation(confession). It may be that for a given confession penance only warrants prayer; in other cases, other penance may be assigned.
Upvote:1
As a Protestant, I tend to follow a general rule when it comes to facts about Catholics- if my "facts" come from Protestant sources, don't take them at face value. I'm sure people who "know why Catholics are theologically wrong" mean well in disseminating their facts, but it's usually nothing more than horribly biased, exaggerated accounts of Catholic beliefs, which most Catholics disagree with.
There's far too much of this misinformation about, and as such there's even a general sentiment among protestants, particularly evangelicals that Catholics are "not real Christians"- this is just an accepted fact for many people.
I for one thing it's great that you're actually asking the question though, in a place where Catholics can respond, and without barging in with condemnation- it might seem that way superficially, but you're actually asking for verification of facts, not merely stating them. As such it's a shame this has been downvoted.
More post
- 📝 Who learned that Abraham would even sacrifice his son in Genesis 22:11?
- 📝 Which translation of Augustine's Confessions is the easiest to read in English?
- 📝 Scriptural/theological reasoning for renaming: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
- 📝 Do Mary and the other saints know what we are praying for before we ask them?
- 📝 Is the Catholic faith based purely on the Bible?
- 📝 How did the Christian movement distinguish itself from Judaism?
- 📝 How did the second Vatican council (aka Vatican II) address the concept of limbo?
- 📝 Trouble finding these quotes from St. John Chrysostom
- 📝 Was the Gathering Relics of Holy Men in 1st Century common in the Early Church?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for Christians quitting their jobs?
- 📝 How do Christian apologists defend the credibility of the miracles reported in the gospel accounts?
- 📝 What is the difference between a priest and a pastor?
- 📝 Who was the 12th Apostle - Matthias or Paul?
- 📝 What is the origin of a stole?
- 📝 Why were the apostles still going to the temple for prayer and rituals?
- 📝 what differentiates virtuous faith from the faith of extremists
- 📝 Are Jehovah's Witnesses expected to follow their church's doctrines?
- 📝 What was the charge levied against Jesus in the courts?
- 📝 Definition of light in Matthew 5:16
- 📝 Is every sinful behavior a sin?
- 📝 Why did God kill Uzzah ? - 2 Samuel 6:6-7
- 📝 Church Fathers on Sola Scriptura
- 📝 Is the Bible God?
- 📝 The Beasts in Daniel 7
- 📝 Where did Aaron die?
- 📝 Why is it said that the Gospel of Luke presents Jesus as "the Son of Man"?
- 📝 What is the Amillennial view of the ‘Times of the Gentiles’?
- 📝 Is the main battle of the enemy for the mind?
- 📝 Why are some people born into famine and starvation?
- 📝 How do Catholics and Eastern Orthodox justify their clergy praying with those big hats on their heads?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Was what I was told about Catholics correct?
- 📝 What was it about the death of Jesus that allows God to forgive us?
- 📝 What do Catholics mean when they talk about the Real Presence in the Eucharist?
- 📝 What is significant about the swaddling clothes with which Jesus was wrapped as a baby?
- 📝 What is significant about the title of "Son of David" that was attributed to Jesus?
- 📝 For Catholics who have expressed concern about Pope Francis and are wary of his pontificate, what are the key issues?
- 📝 What prophecy was about Timothy?
- 📝 What was the pre-Babel language and what can be said about the mechanism used to confuse the languages?
- 📝 What movement was Chesterson writing about in "Orthodoxy"
- 📝 What ethical considerations, if any, should Catholics have about cryptocurrencies?
- 📝 What was G.K. Chesterton's proof of original sin, and what is so unique about it?
- 📝 What was the Angelic Psalter that Our Lady told St. Dominic to preach?
- 📝 On what basis do Catholics continue doctrinal development after the Bible canon was closed?
- 📝 What do Catholics believe about Yom kippur and judgment?
- 📝 What is first time infant baptism was established and commissioned according to catholic church? What does church history say about this?
- 📝 What was the original writing in the Bible about "don't offer comments to the unwise"?
- 📝 What was silent about the night in 'Silent Night'?
- 📝 What happens to people who have never heard about Jesus?
- 📝 What is unique about Christianity?
- 📝 What evidence is there that Jesus was a carpenter?
- 📝 What does the bible say about h*m*sexuality?
- 📝 What is significant about the torn curtain? What about Jesus' death impressed the centurion at the cross?
- 📝 On what do Catholics base their doctrine of the eternal virginity of Mary?
- 📝 For Catholics who object to Vatican II, what are the key issues?
- 📝 What does the bible say about interracial marriages?
- 📝 Sex outside of marriage is a sin. But what about "less than sex"?
- 📝 What does the Bible say about Capital Punishment?
- 📝 What denominations, besides JWs, hold that the Star of Bethlehem was sent by Satan?
- 📝 What does the Bible say about tithing?
- 📝 What color was Augustine's skin?