What Do Catholics Believe
The Catholic Church is the largest religion in the world. The beliefs of the Church are ancient, instituted by Christ, and consistent throughout the ages.
- We believe that human beings were created by God in love and that everything God creates is good and created out of love. While we have the capacity for sin, the Church believes in the dignity of the human person above all else.
- We believe that goodness infuses all of God’s wondrous creation. All creation, made by God, reflects that goodness. Catholics see the world and its beauty, renewed by the Incarnation, as sacramental – speaking of God’s goodness and love.
- We believe in stewardship. Everything is given to us by God and our Catholic responsibility is to share our time, talent, and treasure with those around us.
- We believe in the Holy Trinity. God has revealed himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit – a communion of knowledge and love. God calls us to share in his divine life.
- We believe in community and a living Church – believers are a part of the living Body of Christ and, as such, we are a reflection of the communal nature of the Trinity.
- We believe that God loved his creation so much that he became man in the person of Jesus to walk among us.
- We believe in the communion of the saints – models of faith who help us and guide us in our daily lives.
- We believe in Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and resurrection, and we hope that one day we will rise to new life with him.
Catholic belief is succinctly expressed in the profession of faith called the Nicene Creed:
