Catholic Research Articles

As Reformas religiosas e o nascimento da escolarização ocidental

The religious reforms of the 16th century served as the midwives of early modernity. At a time when the Iberian expansion was globalizing the continents, these reforms sparked religious wars and deeply fragmented the European landscape. This confessionalization of society led to the emergence of a more rationalized form of Christianity, represented by various Protestant churches and Tridentine Catholicism, particularly exemplified by the Society of Jesus. Diverging from medieval Christianity, Lutherans, Calvinists, and Anglicans invested in creating their own networks of educational institutions, sparking an unprecedented wave of schooling that aimed to solidify the religious practices of their followers. In response, the Catholic Church also equipped itself, establishing parish schools and, notably, a network of Jesuit colleges that spread throughout the Catholic regions of Europe, Asia, and the New World. In 1599, the Society of Jesus unified its educational establishments with the institution of the Ratio Studiorum — a comprehensive set of Jesuit educational rules that became the foundational curriculum for Catholic schooling in the early modern period. This study argues that the religious reforms were instrumental in the birth of Western schooling, emerging from different Christian matrices — both Protestant and Catholic. This represents a historical shift — in the Foucauldian sense — that led to the rise of schooling in the Western world, characterized by modern discipline, manifested through mechanisms such as time control, spatial organization, the arrangement of forces, a climate of competition and student reward, and an emphasis on moral punishments. This issue is examined through three recent historical-sociological works published in Europe and Latin America: Produção da escola/produção da sociedade: Análise sócio-histórica de alguns momentos decisivos da evolução escolar no Ocidente by sociologist André Petitat; Arqueología de la escuela by sociologists Julia Varela and Fernando Álvarez-Uría; and A invenção da sala de aula: Uma genealogia das formas de ensinar by historians Inés Dussel and Marcelo Caruso. This historiographical reflection examines the emergence of Western schooling, aiming to identify common analytical elements across these three books, while also noting differences, particularly those related to theoretical foundations and socio-spatial contexts.

Otoritas Alkitab: Tinjauan Teologi Sistematis Pemikiran Luther Menjawab Skeptisisme Teologi Kontemporer Tentang Alkitab Sebagai Firman Allah

The purpose of writing this article is to explore Martin Luther's view of the Bible as the authoritative Word of God as a critical answer to the doubts of contemporary groups. This article refers to the results of Luther's thoughts in documents and systematic theology classroom notes. The meaning of what and how the Bible is for Luther is the most fundamental thing that is intertwined with history, travel, and church growth. By using library research methods, the author finds Luther's critical thoughts regarding the Bible his criticism of the Roman Catholic Church, to the doubts of contemporary groups regarding the Bible which is understood as God's Word in all centuries throughout life.

O manuscrito contra os protestantes do Padre João Baptista de Castro (1756)

The complete inventory of Portuguese documents regarding the Reformation and Portuguese perceptions of the lives of Protestant nations remains to be done. This paper aims to contribute to that inventory with a study of a manuscript from the Évora Public Library (codex CXII/2-13, on folio 51). The Discurso sobre Vários Pontos da Religião contra os Hereges Protestantes by Father João Baptista de Castro (1700-1775) lists, from a Catholic point of view, the prejudices Protestants had about the rites of Roman Catholicism. This text, dated February 2, 1756, also reveals Baptista de Castro’s extensive knowledge of Anglican authors little known in Portugal, such as Bishop Edward Stillingfleet (1635-1699) and the publicist Joseph Addison (1672-1719), founder of The Spectator. Baptista de Castro, better known for his popular works, in which he sometimes used the pseudonym Custodio Jesam Baratta (e.g., Recreaçam Proveytosa, 1728), does not rise above the level of anecdote. Figures like Luther and Henry VIII are belittled in his view as authors of erroneous interpretations of religious texts. He refuses, therefore, to attribute any merit to the Reformation movement. The paper concludes with a reflection on the enduring value of documents like this Discourse.

Penerapan Flipped Classroom untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Siswa pada Pembelajaran Agama Katolik

Purpose – The critical thinking ability of students forms the foundation for developing competent learners. This critical thinking ability can be facilitated through the application of the Flipped Classroom learning model. The purpose of this research is to understand the implementation of the Flipped Classroom model to enhance students' critical thinking skills in Catholic religious education.Method – This research method used by researchers is qualitative. Data collection techniques were carried out through observation, interviews, and documentation. Data processing techniques are done through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing.Findings – The findings of this study indicate that improving students' critical thinking skills in Catholic religion learning can be done in two ways, namely the application of the Flipped Classroom learning model refers to discussion preparation and discussion activities as well as through interpretation, analysis, evaluation and inference. Research Implications – This research has relevant implications for the Flipped Classroom learning model on improving students' critical thinking skills. However, this research is limited by its focus on a conceptual approach without empirical testing so further research is needed to test the applicability of the learning model theory in actual practice in an educational setting.

ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL AT PRAGUE CASTLE DURING THE PERIOD OF NORMALIZATION

This paper deals with the building modifications in the building of the Cathedral of St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas, St. Adalbert and St. Mary during the period of normalization - the 1970s and 1980s. This period has so far been neglected by researchers, although many articles and publications have been written about the history, development and artistic decoration of the cathedral. Normalization, like the entire period of communist rule in Czechoslovakia, meant the oppression of church leaders, the suppression of sacred themes in religious buildings and in everyday life. Nevertheless, the cathedral was the scene of necessary reconstruction works, as well as modifications aimed at improving the use of space and interventions based on the change of the Roman Catholic liturgy. St. Vitus Cathedral is the most important Catholic church in the Czech Republic, formerly in Czechoslovakia, and even earlier in the Czech Kingdom. Its construction, spanning almost 700 years, demonstrates the development in culture, technical possibilities, architectural and building art. The cathedral is an essential part of the Prague Castle complex and the Hradčany panorama. Prague Castle was and still is the center of secular and ecclesiastical power. This connection was symbolically fulfilled by the most important ruler ceremonies (coronations, funerals, marriages, christenings), which took place in the cathedral. One of the most beautiful and most photographed views of Hradčany is dominated by the silhouette of Prague Castle and especially the cathedral. The St. Vitus Cathedral rises from the base formed by the uniform design of the facades of Prague Castle, which was created during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa. For a long time the cathedral itself looked like a torso, as only the bell tower with a Renaissance and later Baroque helmet was built. The transept and the towers in the facade were not completed until the late 19th and early 20th centuries. On the basis of archival research, interviews with witnesses and the study of specialist literature, the reader is introduced to the interventions in St. Vitus Cathedral and the associated change in the space for the celebration of the liturgy, as well as the space for ordinary visitors to this church during the period under study. Further attention is given to the unrealised designs and other sacred buildings in the grounds of the Castle.

Redefining Catholic Sisterhood: Intersections of Autonomy and Religion in Sacrilege and Nunsense

Feminist Catholic sisters epitomize progressive and autonomous women who defy the stereotyped sisterhood, confronting the gender hierarchy within the patriarchal Catholic Church. The religious reforms post-Vatican II and the desideratum of inclusivity for avowed women in decision-making roles have contributed to the emergence of a feminist theological movement that thwarts the erasure of women from religious histories. Delving deep into the feminist theological tenets mirrored in Diane Shaffer’s Sacrilege: A Drama in Two Acts and Dan Goggin’s Nunsense: A Musical Comedy, the present study aims to examine the thespian representation of religious reforms post-Vatican II, exploring the strategies Catholic sisters adopt in their struggle for autonomy. The study contends that the representations of the radical and feminist sisters in the plays potentially challenge the rigid ecclesiastical hierarchy and uphold the deconstruction of sisterhood.

PAROKI RAMAH ANAK SEBAGAI WUJUD DIAKONIA GEREJA TERHADAP PERSOALAN HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The Catholic Church pays full attention to efforts to eradicate human trafficking that affects children Catholic Church pays full attention to efforts to eradicate human trafficking that affects children and women. The Church realizes that human trafficking is a humanitarian issue that must be handled seriously. Humans, including children and women, are the image of God and have the same dignity as all people. This concern is a form of Church diakonia, namely serving and protecting the small and weak. One of the Church's efforts is realized through a child-friendly parish program. A child-friendly parish is a pastoral program that prioritizes children to grow integrally as members of the Church. The approach used to obtain information about child-friendly parish programs is qualitative, using interview and observation methods. From this research it is concluded that the child-friendly parish program as a form of Church diakonia has not been fully understood and realized in parish life. So at the end of this article the author states several responsibilities of the Church as a form of Church diakonia in relation to human trafficking cases and offers several practical efforts that can be made by the Church to improve the quality of Church services to children through child-friendly parish programs.

Pembinaan Iman Umat di Stasi Santo Tomas Onodohalawa sebagai Wujud Kasih kepada Sesama

The university community has three pillars in carrying out its duties and functions, namely the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. The three pillars are Teaching, Research, and Community Service. In this case, the service carried out is the development of faith for the people at Stasi Santo Thomas Onodohalawa. The development of the faith of the people is an act of love that aims to develop the faith of the people. The faithful of Stasi St. Thomas Onodohalawa are among the people who are willing to follow faith formation for the growth of faith that is useful for arranging a better life as Christians. The openness and enthusiasm of the people is an opportunity for STP Dian Mandala Lecturers to realize their identity as educators on campus and at the same time as solid teachers of the Catholic faith. The methods used for this community service are Liturgical Celebrations, sharing, and catechesis. This is the starting point of the need for faith development of the people at St. Thomas Onodohalawa. Based on these needs, the lecturers work together to divide the team in carrying out the coaching activities. The lecturers also involve students as a form of cadre for prospective young catechists. The preparation of the material was carried out by the team by studying together and exploring various reading sources that support the theme of community development. The purpose of this service is to help the growth of the faith of the people at the station. Thus, they are able to live in society as good and virtuous citizens in accordance with the true teachings of the Catholic faith.

Economia e justiça social à luz da encíclica Fratelli Tutti

This work analyzes how the Encyclical Fratelli Tutti presents the principles of Economy and Social Justice. To this end, a methodological path is followed to present the conditions and debates that inspired its publication, given the highly predatory global economic scenario, which generates inequalities and destruction of the planet. It is clear that the Encyclical is not the inauguration of Pope Francis’ economic thought, but rather, it is connected to a series of previous documents, which already provoked movements and concrete actions. The first step towards overcoming inequalities is the conscious reading of reality, in which it is possible to establish a dialogue between Pope Francis’ text and other authors who have already outlined this panorama. Finally, a reading of each chapter of the Encyclical is established, observing the key themes, which are Francis’s fundamental principles for a new economy and Social Justice, an invitation that is made beyond the walls of the Catholic Church.

Cesarean Section and Religious Hierarchies in Fifteenth- Century Europe

In the late fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries, Cesarean section, the medical procedure whereby a child is delivered by cutting through the wall of the mother’s abdomen, was an extremely taut subject. More often that not Cesarean sections were performed as acts of desperation to save the child following the mother’s death, and as such, the procedure was embedded in the popular imagination and imbued with symbolic power. While it was promoted by the Catholic Church to save the souls of the infants through baptism, Jewish communities viewed the procedure with wariness due to its perceived unnaturalness. The coupling of divergent religious views on the procedure, a strained religious environment, and changes in the occupational landscape of obstetrics resulted in the utilization of Cesarean section by Christians as a means to demonstrate the corporeal and occupational inferiority of Jews. Mouat uses the Cesarean section as a springboard into the history of the religious tensions and hierarchies that came to define early modern obstretics.

“Places of Memory”: Working with Roman Catholic Archives

“Places of Memory”: Working with Roman Catholic Archives

Spinoza and Twentieth-century Italian Culture

The paper distinguishes between philosophy and culture and explains the reasons why it is preferable to investigate the relationships between Spinoza and the Italian culture (rather than philosophy) of the twentieth century. Italian culture is characterized by five prevailing forces: Roman Catholicism, the neo-idealism of Croce and Gentile, fascism, Marxism, the mass media. Spinoza’s conceptual world has remained foreign to Italian culture, where it has not been expressly opposed, as, for example, by the Catholic side. The paper then examines some of the main philosophical interpretations of Spinoza (as advanced by Giovanni Gentile, Piero Martinetti, Augusto Guzzo, and Antonio Banfi) showing the relationships between them, the philosophy of their authors, and some salient characteristics of the Italian culture of the century. The theologizing attitude of these philosophers (except Banfi), although expressed in different forms, led them to often misleading interpretations that contributed to nullifying a possible encounter between Spinoza and Italian culture. Finally, mention is made of the historical, philological and exegetical research which, over the last thirty years, has offered a new and significant contribution, with an international impact, to Spinoza studies.

An Acoustical Survey of a Catholic Chapel

The modern-day celebration of the Roman Catholic Mass places an increased emphasis on the speech, music, and participation of the congregation in these ministries. Thus, there is an increasing emphasis on ensuring churches provide acceptable experiences for speech and music. This paper presents the results of an empirical study of a Roman Catholic chapel. The acoustic metrics were determined from impulse response data gathered via microphones recording balloon pops. Sound pressure level measurements were gathered with a sound pressure meter recording a boombox noise source. The balloon pops and boombox noise source were placed in various locations indicative of sources during the celebration of the Mass. Findings include that the RT30 measurements of the chapel were consistent with the EDT values suggesting that early reflections should not provide a significant impact on the perceived reverberation of the chapel. Based on the results, we conclude that the chapel does not have any significant deficiencies in its ability to transmit speech and music. This provides a basis for the chapel administration to invest in a professional assessment as they begin a project to install a new organ and choir loft.

People with Disabilities and Their Families in the Roman Catholic Church in Poland: An Analysis of Barriers to Participation in Religious Practices

People with Disabilities and Their Families in the Roman Catholic Church in Poland: An Analysis of Barriers to Participation in Religious Practices

The Dynamics of Divorce in Indonesian Muslim Families

The development of divorce cases from year to year is very dynamic. Divorce occurs not only because of problems in the family but also because divorce is attached to the husband and wife, who are left behind due to death. Likewise, the judge's decision can affect the determination of divorce status. If the judge is unwilling or does not decide on the divorce, the marriage is not declared divorced. Therefore, divorce is defined as the breakup of the marital relationship with the judge's decision or the request of one of the parties. This article aims to find out the dynamics of divorce development in Indonesia. This research is library-based qualitative with a descriptive, critical, analytical approach and an interdisciplinary perspective, combining philosophical, psychological, sociological, juridical, and comparative methods. The results show that divorce and marriage exist in the world. In the jewish religion, divorce is permitted. In the catholic faith, divorce is prohibited, while in protestantism, it is allowed on the grounds of adultery. In islam, the majority of islamic jurists allow it and some islamic jurists ban divorce. Meanwhile, in indonesia, divorce is permitted by a court decision. Some regions with the most divorce cases are West Java, East Java, Central Java, North Sumatra, DKI Jakarta, Banten, South Sulawesi, And Riau. The factors that cause divorce are spouse conflicts, economy, leaving one party, domestic violence, drunkenness, gambling, neglect, one of them being imprisoned, adultery, polygamy, forced marriage, and disputes that lead to divorce. Efforts to prevent divorce include premarital education, family money management training, strengthening the basis of personality, family mediation, and rehabilitative assistance for divorced couples.

Karl Marx and the Catholic Church’s praxis

This article addresses the question of whether a spiritual institution can be influenced by a secular ideology, which is conceived as ‘atheist’. Can a secular ideology influence and shape the nature and praxis of an institution which prides itself as having a predominant spiritual foundation. This article’s objective is not necessarily meant to provide an absolute doctrine but seeks to stimulate debate based on a reasonable connection of Socialist influence on the development of the Catholic Church’s praxis. This article argues that the Catholic Church’s praxis, which is explicitly embodied in the Catholic Social Teachings might have been influenced by a Marxist or Socialist/communist wave of the 19th Century. This article is guided by a literature-related historical enquiry method, which compares historical events in a bid to identify possible logical connections. Literature reveals that in as much as some Catholic related movements such as the Liberation Theology had an obvious connection with Marxism, the praxis of movements embodied in both the ‘Social Catholicism’ and ‘Catholic Action’ was shaped by the Church’s beliefs and contextual circumstances of its time. Literature further shows the Catholic Church neither subscribe to the Socialist revolutionary stance nor approve of its methodology, but it recognised the effects of these socialist movements toward the workers. Hence, the influence of these secular institutions cannot be totally dismissed, even though they did not shape its praxis.

Socioeconomic, Cultural, and Educational Determinants of Maternal and Perinatal Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Lima, Peru

Socioeconomic, cultural, and educational factors influencing the health of pregnant women, postpartum women, and perinatal health in Lima, Peru, were analyzed.To analyze the socioeconomic, cultural, and educational determinants associated with the health of pregnant women, postpartum women, and perinatal health during the COVID-19 pandemic at the primary care level in the Cono Sur of Lima.A quantitative, analytical, and cross-sectional study with a non-experimental design was conducted on a non-probabilistic convenience sample of 217 pregnant and postpartum women. Structured surveys were used, and data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics, including ordinal logistic regression to explore the relationships between variables.Of the 217 participants, 47.5% were aged between 25 and 35 years, 41.9% were pregnant, and 30.9% had one child. Additionally, 59% were single, 46.1% professed the Catholic religion, and 36.9% were homemakers. Significant relationships were found between health and social, economic, and educational determinants, highlighting housing type, family income, and access to services such as the internet and television.The health of pregnant women, postpartum women, and perinatal health in the Cono Sur of Lima is conditioned by a combination of socioeconomic, cultural, and educational factors. These findings underscore the need for specific policies and programs to address inequalities and improve maternal and perinatal health in the region.

Beyond Conversational Dialogue: Constructing a Catholic Dialogical Ethical Model for Multi-Religious Nigeria

This article argues that the Catholic Church in Nigeria needs to move beyond interreligious dialogue that dwells more on Councils’ interactions and discourses to develop a dialogical ethical framework that engages religious multiplicity in a more active capacity. Although Nigeria’s religious diversity necessitates interreligious dialogue, that alone is insufficient for constructing concrete ethics of dialogue. The article thus argued for an ethical framework tagged one family, many flavours. The theological sense of the proposal is rooted in Catholic social teachings but open to engagement with other religious traditions for mutual respect and social justice. The religious scope of the article is on Roman Catholicism and the Nigeria Muslim Ummah. The article addressed related ethical challenges confronting Nigeria’s interreligious landscape as a diverse religious community. Primary and secondary sources were used in gathering information for the article; thus, scriptural texts and traditions in Islam, as well as sources in Roman Catholicism, were theologically engaged. The suggested model acknowledges the importance of retaining one’s religious identity while also recognising the importance of interreligious dialogue and the right of the religious other in ethical matters. The article is envisioned to promote conversations about translating dialogical frameworks into practice.

Literasi Keagamaan Katolik dan CharacterBuilding Peserta Didik Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan “Barries and Challenges”

This research based on the problems about catholic religion literacy, impact, obstacles and challenges toward students’ character building in vocational school. This research aimed to be solution for Catholic religion literacy at school which bring impact to the students’ character building at vocational school in Pontianak. The method used in this research was descriptive qualitative. The sources of the data were primary data, they were the result of interview and the secondary data were the result of observation of Catholic religion literacy. The finding of the researchs howed the process of Catholic religion literacy started from some stages, start from the schedule of Catholic religion literacy, time and place of literacy activity, and the people involve in the literacy activity and the media used. The literacy activity such as reading activity, material session, and catholic religion literacy assessment. The religion literacy at vocational school brought good impact to the students. The result of the religion Catholic activity raised the reading interest, found the source of religion references on the media, and gave impact toward students’ character building to be better.

Between the Church and the State

Abstract Supranational cultural institutions and communities play an interesting role in the development of abortion policy both historically and today. In this article we consider two such institutions: the Catholic Church and the European community. The church is famously antiabortion, and we describe the ways in which the Catholic position manifests itself in different countries. Conversely, almost all European countries have liberal laws that allow abortion on demand for twelve weeks of pregnancy. Italy sits at the intersection of European and Catholic identities. Italy adopted European-style liberal abortion laws early, but Italians continue to identify with the church in surveys, which is one of the causes of high levels of conscientious objection by medical professionals. Italy’s abortion policy pleases neither Catholics nor secularists. We explain this by understanding Italy’s abortion law as liberal de jure, but its culture is still heavily influenced by Catholicism, resulting in limited abortion access de facto.