BTheol Bachelor of Theology Faith & Catholic Tradition 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which council defined the dogma of papal infallibility in 1870?
- Council of Trent
- First Vatican Council (Correct answer)
- Second Vatican Council
- Council of Nicaea
Correct answer: First Vatican Council
The First Vatican Council (Vatican I) formally defined the dogma of papal infallibility in the constitution Pastor Aeternus.
Question 2: In Catholic tradition, what is the term for the full body of authoritative Church teaching on faith and morals?
- Kerygma
- Hagiography
- Magisterium (Correct answer)
- Anamnesis
Correct answer: Magisterium
The Magisterium refers to the teaching authority of the Church, exercised by the Pope and bishops in communion with him.
Question 3: Which sacrament does Catholic theology describe as the 'sacrament of initiation' that removes original sin?
- Confirmation
- Eucharist
- Penance
- Baptism (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Baptism
Baptism is the first sacrament of initiation that washes away original sin and incorporates the person into the Body of Christ.
Question 4: What does the theological term 'filioque' refer to in the context of the Nicene Creed?
- The procession of the Holy Spirit from both the Father and the Son (Correct answer)
- The two natures of Christ
- The perpetual virginity of Mary
- The infallibility of Scripture
Correct answer: The procession of the Holy Spirit from both the Father and the Son
Filioque is a Latin term meaning 'and from the Son,' added by the Western Church to affirm that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son.
Question 5: Which Catholic doctrine holds that Mary was conceived without original sin?
- Assumption of Mary
- Perpetual Virginity
- Immaculate Conception (Correct answer)
- Theotokos
Correct answer: Immaculate Conception
The Immaculate Conception, defined as dogma by Pope Pius IX in 1854, teaches that Mary was preserved from original sin from the moment of her conception.
Question 6: In Catholic sacramental theology, what is the Latin phrase describing that a sacrament works by the very act of being performed, regardless of the minister's holiness?
- Ex opere operantis
- Ex cathedra
- Ex opere operato (Correct answer)
- In persona Christi
Correct answer: Ex opere operato
Ex opere operato means 'from the work performed,' indicating that sacraments convey grace by virtue of the sacramental action itself.
Question 7: What is the Catholic term for the four last things that every person will face?
- Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell (Correct answer)
- Sin, Repentance, Forgiveness, Grace
- Creation, Fall, Redemption, Glorification
- Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance
Correct answer: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell
The four last things in Catholic eschatology are Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell, which all souls will ultimately encounter.