The belief that transcendent spiritual reality manifests itself in and through created material reality as revealed by God’s incarnation in Christ.
divine providence
The belief that God orders and governs all things in his creation, often despite appearances to the contrary. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. God even knows how many hairs are on your head. So don’t be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31
papal authority
Under Catholic Canon law (Code of Canon Law, 331), papal authority is:
- “supreme” (i.e., it is the highest authority in the Church; there is no appeal against a proper papal judgment);
- “full” (i.e., popes exercise their authority freely, while the bishops of the world exercise theirs only in union with the pope);
- “immediate” (i.e., popes can intervene directly at all levels of Church jurisdiction);
- and “universal” (i.e., their authority extends over the whole church of Christ).
purgatory
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a “purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven,” which is experienced by those “who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified.”
