Expert: Rick Jackson - 3/30/2008

Question
QUESTION: Rick

I am very interested in the Catholic faith. I do, however, have some doctrinal questions. Here goes:

1)Transubstantiation- please explain and especially with regards to molecular chemistry. Is the Catholic view that the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ- if so, in what way?
2) Praying to the BVM and saints. Is this not contrary to the second Commandment ie graven images. Shouldn't we direct our prayers to God- isn't praying to saints faintly superstitious and pagan?
3) I know that the RC Church has accepted the Darwinian Theory of Evolution-how does that incorporate the creation of Man by God? If we are genetically engineered from cells- why did God take such a tortuous and uncertain route?
4) Why is there such preoccupation with homosexuality if Jesus never once mentioned it? Is sex purely for procreation? Why is the Church rent asunder by the dscussion of such a minor matter when Christ preached love and tolerance and especially the dangers of greed and selfishness?
5) Why can't other Christians take Mass? Can catholics celebrate Holy Communion in an Anglican Church?
6) Do all Christians have an equal standing? Is Catholicism superior?
7) If I became a Catholic would I have to rebaptise my children and marry my wife again in a Catholic church?
8) Where is the biblical evidence for the Assumption of Mary?
9) Does the Vatican teach that the Garden of Eden was allegorical?
10) How does one become a Catholic?

Thank you for answering some or all of these questions.

Steve


ANSWER: Hi Steve.  You've asked a lot, so all I can really do in this "arena" is  briefly comment on each.  I'll also try to provide some helpful links.

1. Transubstantiation: Neither the chemistry or appearance changes.  We believe that Christ was speaking literally when He said "This IS my body".

"The Church's Magna Charta are the words of Institution, "This is my body — this is my blood", whose literal meaning she has uninterruptedly adhered to from the earliest times."
Links:
- http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05573a.htm
- http://catholic.com/library/Real_Presence.asp
- http://catholic.com/library/Christ_in_the_Eucharist.asp

2. Prayers "to" the Saints is not at all the same as Prayer to God.  We ask the Saints to pray for us...as affirmed in the Hail Mary: "Holy Mary, mother of God (from Scripture), pray for us sinners"
Links:
- http://catholic.com/library/mary_saints.asp

3. The RC Church has not accepted the Darwinian Theory of Evolution.  This is a non-Catholic (and mostly anti-Catholic) urban legend.

4. Why do you presume a "preoccupation" with homosexuality.  The Church's stance is very simple: a. Attraction to same sex is not sinful, b. Sex before lawful and valid marriage is sin, and c. Sex with same sex is affirmed in Scripture to be unnatural and an abomination.  Regarding thest things, all Christians are pretty much in unison.

5. Link:
http://catholic.com/library/Who_Can_Receive_Communion.asp

Worthy of note: Items 1-5 were accepted basic Christian "norms" from the days of the Apostles through about the 14th century.

6. All who accept Christ as Son of God and Savior are Christians, period.  

All Christians should recognize the sadness of the variety of "divisions" of the faith.  We believe that the teachings of the RC faith is the best representation of the historic Christian Faith.

Those who read the writings of the Christians of the 1st-3rd Centuries - compared to the New Testament - often recognize this...

7. No.  Baptisms done property by non-Catholics are accepted by the Catholic Church.

8. There is none.  But before you object, remember that there are many things that Christians "take for granted" today that are not Biblical...such as "the Trinity", etc.

Link:
http://catholic.com/library/Immaculate_Conception_and_Assum.asp

9. No.

10. Affirm belief in the teachings of the Catholic Faith.

I know that I cannot fully answer all your excellent questions...

I do,though, hope I've given you some food for thought.

Peace and Blessings to you and yours, Steve.

Rick.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi. Regarding Q3-my research suggests otherwise. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution_and_the_Roman_Catholic_Church

Answer
I do not see a full acceptance of "Darwinian Evolution".

From the Catechism:

159. Faith and science: "...methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God. The humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of himself, for it is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are." (Vatican II GS 36:1) 283. The question about the origins of the world and of man has been the object of many scientific studies which have splendidly enriched our knowledge of the age and dimensions of the cosmos, the development of life-forms and the appearance of man. These discoveries invite us to even greater admiration for the greatness of the Creator, prompting us to give him thanks for all his works and for the understanding and wisdom he gives to scholars and researchers.... 284. The great interest accorded to these studies is strongly stimulated by a question of another order, which goes beyond the proper domain of the natural sciences. It is not only a question of knowing when and how the universe arose physically, or when man appeared, but rather of discovering the meaning of such an origin....

Today so many consider "Darwinian Evolution" to mean everything evolved from "primordial soup" or some such explanation.

And many take it even further - with the key being that there is no Creator.

We Catholics admit that we do not know the details of HOW God Created, but we affirm that He DID Create.

If you are thinking of the 7 days of Creation, Adam and Eve, etc. we acknowledge that the stories may or may not be literal...

Wikipedia is admittedly pretty good - but not the best source for Catholic Teaching.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the best source.  Here's a link to it and some other good sources:
http://catholictruths.com/library/index.html

Rick.