Theology
According to the Church Law which is currently in force, the Polish Catholic Church professes catholic faith, morality, and principles as set forth in the Holy Bible, formulated in common symbols of faith and decisions of the First seven Ecumenical Councils. The Polish Catholic Church has many similarities to the Roman Catholic liturgy, in that it expresses Trinitarian doctrine, Marian devotion and reverence for the saints. The Church also employs the traditional Catholic liturgical calendar.
The central point of spiritual life within the Church is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which is the re-presentation of the redeeming sacrifice of Christ. The Church also pays reverence to the angels, Apostles, martyrs and saints, keeping among them a special place for the Virgin Mary.
According to the Church, a sin is an intentional and voluntary breaking of God’s or the Church’s commandments. The seven deadly sins are pride, envy, lust, anger, greed, sloth, and gluttony. Penitents gain the absolution of sins by participating in the sacrament confession, where sins are confessed in the presence of a priest in order to gain absolution. The conditions of a good confession are:
- Examination of conscience
- Repentance
- Firm purpose of amendment
- Sincere confession
- Compensation to God and neighbours.
There are two forms of confession exercised in Polish Catholic Church: individual and corporate. Individual confession takes place privately with a priest, while corporate confession is exercised as a separate public ceremony in front of the altar, or as a part of the Holy Mass during the Act of Penitence. Individual confession is obligatory for children and youth under the age of 18; it is also recommended for adults any time they feel the need to participate. It is believed that proper and frequent reception of the sacrament of confession will allow an individual to grow in the spiritual life.
Read more about this topic: Polish Catholic Church
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“Only men of moral and mental force, of a patriotic regard for the relationship of the two races, can be of real service as ministers in the South. Less theology and more of human brotherhood, less declamation and more common sense and love for truth, must be the qualifications of the new ministry that shall yet save the race from the evils of false teaching.”
—Fannie Barrier Williams (1855–1944)