Eric Stoutz
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Dear Catholic Exchange,
I have several questions that have been on my mind as a committed, devoted Catholic but nobody can answer them. Maybe you can help.
1. In the Nicene Creed, where we pray “He rose again…” What does that mean? He only rose once. What is with “again.”
2. If I am saying my Rosary with a CD or tape, does that constitute praying with “others?” You know, “where two or more are gathered in my name.”
3. This one is probably the hardest. It is really the same question but put 3 different ways. We are told in Catholic teaching that if we in our conscience do not agree with a teaching of the Church (re: abortion) that we can still call ourselves Catholic. The same idea is where the Church tells us not to discriminate so then why is the Church against “same sex” partners, same sex benefits, etc. And lastly, if we are not to discriminate then why can't women be priests. Please do not get me wrong I am on the side of the Magesterium, but these questions do come up, and I don't really have a good answer.
Thank you so much.
Dave Lonsway
Dear Mr. Lonsway,
Peace in Christ!
1. The phrase “rose again” is a traditional translation of the Latin “rexurrexit.” As standard dictionaries convey, “again” can mean “in addition” or “besides,” as in,
after He suffered and died, Jesus, “in addition” or “besides,” also rose from the dead.
However, there is no official Church explanation as to why “rose again” is used.
We can say, though, that the traditional English is not a literal, word-for-word translation of the official Latin. The official Latin text reads, “resurréxit tértia die.” A strict translation of this clause would be, “He rose on the third day.” The phrase is also not found in the Greek.
The instruction Liturgiam Authenticam addresses problems with translations of Latin texts into the vernacular: “Translations of liturgical texts in various localities stand in need of improvement through correction or through a new draft” (no. 6). Promulgated on April 25, 2001, it gives Episcopal Conferences five years to produce new translations for approval (no. 132). It’s possible that “again” might not be included in the new translation.
2. Matthew 18:20 is understood in the context of the community Jesus is instructing. The “gathering” is in community, preeminently at the Eucharistic liturgy (see Catechism, nos. 1088 and 1373). This gathering has a notion of a personal presence that a recording would not provide. However, in personal prayer we pray through Jesus (see Catechism, no. 2664) and as members of His Mystical Body (see, for example, Mystici Corporis, no. 44), there is still His presence and a sense of community when we pray the Rosary.
3a. A Catholic cannot simply disagree with Church teaching. A person who is struggling with a teaching of the Church still has the obligation to strive toward assent. The Church makes clear that (1) anyone who is obstinate in their “disagreement” with a divinely revealed teaching is guilty of heresy (cf. Catechism, 2089); (2) anyone who rejects definitively proposed teaching “sets himself against the teaching of the Catholic Church” (canon 750 §2); and (3) the faithful are called to assent with “religious submission of intellect and will” to any teaching proposed as true but without a definitive act, noting that even in this third category the faithful are “to ensure that they avoid whatever does not accord with that doctrine” (canon 752). A Catholic is baptized into the family of God and is not “kicked out” because of weakness of faith or a poorly formed conscience. This would be to separate him from the remedy, which is the Church.
3b. Does the Church tell us not to discriminate? Both justice and love of neighbor preclude making a decision against a person on a categorical basis rather than according to merit. However, the Church is not deciding against people in her teachings on marriage or in their application. In fact, silence with regard to same sex unions would be uncharitable toward those with same sex attractions as well as neglecting the good of society. Please see two Church documents:
3c. Using the definition of discrimination above — making a decision against a person on a categorical basis rather than according to merit — the Church does neither with regard to question of whether women can be priests. In fact, the Church does not make the decision at all. Because of the nature of the priesthood established by Jesus Christ, only men can become priests and the Church does not ask the question of whether women would be able to contribute if they were ordained. Please see our Faith Fact Why Not Women Priests?
United in the Faith,
