Isn’t it so that doctrine can change, but dogma cannot? And the catechism is an abbreviated guide, not the source of all truth. Doctrine may evolve over gradual long periods as man gains insight and wisdom thru time. Dogma is from God, his teaching not ours, such as definition of marriage (which rules out homo marriage, an actual conflict with the teachings in old and new testaments). Dogma will also be compatible with natural law, again no human may define that, it exists!
p.s.
Contrary to what many believe, the Christian faith is not a long list of rules for the pope to toy with. The 7 sacraments were created by God and are one of the main functions of the Church. They bring grace to humanity. Communion, Penance, Marriage, Baptusm, not ours to modify. The death penalty is a man made penal action for justice and protection of society, no comparison to REVEALED TRUTH.
I’m not very familiar with the terminology used in Catholic teaching. I know that it tends to be very precise.
So, apparently, there have always been areas which are not necessarily “articles of faith” that are essential to not being labeled a heretic. But I am wondering how faithful Catholics view a Pope who is also a heretic, assuming that this is a possibility from the perspective of Catholics.
I’m not very familiar with the terminology used in Catholic teaching. I know that it tends to be very precise.
So, apparently, there have always been areas which are not necessarily “articles of faith” that are essential to not being labeled a heretic. But I am wondering how faithful Catholics view a Pope who is also a heretic, assuming that this is a possibility from the perspective of Catholics.
All the hair splitting over the meanings of words and what is doctrine and what is dogma, and what can *change* and what *develops* makes it impossible to pin down any Catholic on what the church teaches or believes.
And the catechism is an ABBREVIATED guide? Seriously?
Catholicism has made the simple message of the gospel WAY too complicated.
The basic facts are:
Romans 10:9-13 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
and
Acts 15:19-29 Therefore my [James} judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter:
“The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”