Paper 2

• Death


  The end of physical life. When the physical body ceases completely to function.
• Eternal Life


  The term used to refer to life in heaven after death. Also, the phrase Jesus uses to describe a state of living as God intends which leads to this life in heaven.
• Heaven


  Those who have accepted God's grace and forgiveness in this life will enjoy an eternal existence in God's presence in the next life. This face to face encounter with God is what we call "Heaven".
• Hell


  Those who through the exercise of their own free will ultimately reject God's grace and forgiveness, will have chosen to live eternally outside of God's presence. This total lack of God for all eternity is what we call "Hell".
• Judgement


  At the end of our life, we will be faced with an ultimate choice to choose God or reject God. The decision we take leads to judgement and decides whether we 'go' to Heaven or Hell.
• Magisterium


  The teaching authority of the Church, exercised by the bishops in communion with Pope. The magisterium is given grace by the Holy Spirit to faithfully interpret the Scriptures and Tradition
• Resurrection


  The raising of the body to life again after death. Christians believe that Jesus has already experienced resurrection and that all people will experience it at the end of time.
• Resurrection sources of wisdom Christianity

  - John 11:25-26: In this passage, Jesus proclaims, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die

  - Romans 6:5: The apostle Paul writes, "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his."
• What do Catholics believe about death? As well as sources of wisdom

  - Life is 'changed not ended' (1 Corinthians 15:51)

  
  

  - As death is not the end, there should be no fear surrounding death

  
  

  - Eternal life (CCC 1010); when Jesus died on the cross he paid for our sins, and when he rose from the dead he defeated death

  
  

  - Christians can hope to go to heaven after death to spend eternity with God; particular judgement.
• Soul


  The eternal part of a human being given at conception which lives on after the death of the body. Also a name for a human being's rational nature - their mind.
• What do Catholics believe about end of life care?

  - It is important to die well by preparing for death, respective the value of their lives until natural death, and providing rituals to support the grieving (1 Corinthians 15:55).

  
  

  - Supports the work of palliative care because it respects the value of human life til natural death

  
  

  - PJP II's encyclical Envangelium Vitae supports palliative care because it allows people to reject any treatement that is too painful of difficult

  
  

  - and it allows people to maintain their dignity and quality of life
• Catholics sources of wisdom about end of life

  Pope John Paul II's Evangelium Vitae supports palliative care

  Corinthians 15:55 - Respect the value of their life until natural death and providing rituals to support the grieving
• What do Catholics teach about euthanasia?

  - These deliberate actions to end a life are wrong in all circumstances (Evangelium Vitae 65)

  
  

  - Euthanasia goes against 'Do Not Kill' ten commandments

  
  

  - Live life according to God's plan (Declaration on Euthanasia 1)

  
  

  - Prolong life as much as possible through methods like palliative care (Declaration on Euthanasia Conclusion)
• Euthanasia Catholic Sources of Wisdom


  Evangelium Vitae 65, deliberate actions to end a life are wrong in all circumstances

  Do not kill

  Declaration on Euthanasia
• What do other (usually minority) Christians teach about Euthanasia?

  - Liberal Christian Denominations: Some more liberal or progressive Christian denominations may be more open to discussions around euthanasia, considering factors such as autonomy, compassion, and the dignity of the individual in end-of-life care.

  - Look at the Golden Rule 'Do to other as you would have them do to you'

  - Argue that allowing euthanasia could be a sign of love and compassion
• What does The British Humanist Association teach about Euthanasia?

  - The decision about whether life is bearable or not is up to the individual

  
  

  - They reject the idea of God so don't believe life is sacred

  
  

  - Suggest that making assisted dying legal would mean that people are free to make their own choices

  
  

  - Euthanasia and assisted suicide should be options alongside palliative care (Dignitas)
• What is the Catholic response to the 'Right to Die' campaign?

  - Slippery slope, people may feel pressure to accept euthanasia

  
  

  - There are examples of people who have lived valued lives despite being near death

  
  

  - Who decides 'quality of life'?
• What is the humanist attitude to life after death?


  - Life is all there is

  
  

  - There is no evidence that the mind can function without the body, so life after death is impossible

  
  

  - If life is eternal, would it have any value>

  
  

  - After death, our memories live on through our work and loved ones
• What is the Catholic attitude to life after death?

  - Eternal life

  
  

  - As Jesus dies for our sins, we can experience the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15)

  
  

  - Everybody is entitled to a resurrection

  
  

  - Our physical bodies will die out but our spiritual bodies will live on
• What does The Parable Of The Unforgiving Servant teach about judgement?

  - Matthew 18:35

  
  

  - God will judge us for our actions, shown by the king putting the servant in prison for being unforgiving

  
  

  - Forgive as God forgives
• What does The Parable Of The Rich Man And Lazarus teach about judgement?

  - Luke 16:19

  
  

  - God will judge us for what we do not do, as the rich man does not help Lazarus, so Lazarus goes to heaven and the rich man goes to hell

  
  

  - Follow the prophets words as gospel
• What do Catholics believe about Heaven? Sources of Wisdom

  - A reward for living correctly is to live eternally with God (Matthew 18:10) (CCC 1024/1025)

  
  

  - The images of 'up there', 'glorious splendour', 'clouds' and ' harp playing angels' are ways to understand the eternal happiness in the presence of God (Luke 23:43)

  
  

  - 'Nothing that is impure will enter the city, nor anyone who does shameful things or lies' Revelation 21:27
• What do Catholics believe about Hell? Sources of Wisdom

  - Being separated from God is the punishment (CCC 1035)

  
  

  - The Parables demonstrate that it is the choices made by humans that lead to them going to hell

  
  

  - Fire and torture is used for hell, but we can never fully understand these metaphors (Matthew 25:41)
• What do Catholics believe about Purgatory? Sources of Wisdom

  - Comes from the word 'purge', meaning to cleanse or rid of sins

  
  

  - People are not perfect and need to make up for their sins, so in order to enter eternal life you must cleanse your sins (CCC 1030)

  
  

  - St Paul uses fiery imagery in his descriptions (1 Corinthians 3:13)

  
  

  - Purgatory is a state of hope rather than a place, and they can pray for the removal of sin from the dead

  
  

  - Protestant Christians to not agree with the Catholic idea of purgatory
• What are the three sources of authority for the Church?

  Scripture/Bible, Tradition, and Magisterium
• What is ordinary Magisterium?

  Popes and bishops preach the good news in letters to their diocese. These letters encourage faith or clarify Church teaching. The most well known are encyclicals. Its purpose it to comment on issues not covered in the Bible.
• What is the Extraordinary Magisterium?

  When the Church responds to specific disputes, these have more importance than ordinary magisterium.

  
  

  - 'conciliar magisterium': when the bishops sit in the general council to explore matters significant to the life of the Church. The most recent was Vatican II. Acts 15 and Nicene Creed.

  
  

  - 'pontifical magisterium': when the pope makes a deceleration. Once a statement is made, it is infallible and Church teaching
• What is Vatican II?

  The most recent General Council. Began in 1962 and ended in 1965. The Church needed to change in response to post-war society and technological advancements. The council published sixteen constitutions. Started by Pope John XXII.
• What are the four key documents of Vatican II?

  - Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy: details changes to the Mass

  
  

  - Constitution on the Church: details nature and work of the Church

  
  

  - Constitution on Divine Revelation: details relationship between the Bible, Magisterium and Tradition.

  
  

  - Constitution on the Church in the modern world: details the Churches attitude to modern society and its problems
• What is a Sarcophagi?

  A stone coffin that has carved images on the outside. The sarcophagi with scenes of the Passion dates back to the 4th century and is kept in the Museo Pio Christiano in the Vatican.
• What is the symbolism in the Sarcophagi?

  - The Chi-Rho is placed within a wreath, the Roman symbol of victory, held in the beaks of eagles, representing God. The two soldiers look up at the cross in awe.

  
  

  - The crown is filled with Jewel which symbolises that Jesus's death was triumph over sin
• What is the Paschal Candle?

  - A special candle used during Easter season in Church.

  - The Paschal Candle is rich in symbolism and holds profound significance in Christian theology. It symbolizes Christ as the Light of the World, representing the resurrection and victory of Jesus over death and darkness.

  - The Paschal Candle is often decorated with symbols, including the Greek letters Alpha and Omega (representing Christ as the beginning and the end), the current year, the cross, and sometimes symbols of the five wounds of Christ.
• When and why is the Paschal Candle used?

  - The candle is lit and processed into the church on the eater vigil, symbolising the light of Christ overcoming the darkness of sin

  
  

  - The baptismal candle is lit from the paschal candle to remind the baptised that the light of Christ defeated the darkness of sin
• How does the Paschal candle symbolise that Jesus' resurrection was a triumph over death?

  - The Five Wounds represent the wounds Jesus received during crucifixion

  
  

  - The Year reminds people that Jesus and is salvation is the same at all times

  
  

  - Alpha and Omega show that Christ is the beginning and end of all things

  
  

  - The Cross is the reason the resurrection was possible.
• What are the four stages of a Catholic Funeral?


  1. Reception of the Body

  
  

  2. The Funeral Mass

  
  

  3. The Committal

  
  

  4. At the grave or crematorium
• What happens during the Reception of the Body?

  - The body is taken into the Church, showing the dead being presented to God

  
  

  - The coffin is sprinkled in Holy Water, as a reminder of baptism, and a hope they will be resurrected

  
  

  - The coffin is placed near the Paschal candle, representing the light of Christ
• What happens during The Funeral Mass?

  - The mass is called a requiem, which comes from the prayer where Christians ask God to grant Eternal Rest

  
  

  - Readings focus on the resurrection

  
  

  - Praters of intercession are said asking God to raise the person to life.
• What happens during the Committal?

  - The priest says a prayer asking God to forgive the deceased sins

  
  

  - The priest waves incense reminding Christians of the Holy Spirit

  
  

  - The smoke represents the prayers rising to God

  
  

  - A prayer is said for mourners that they will be comforted and meet the deceased in heaven
• What happens at the grave or crematorium?

  - The 'Our Father' reminds us the deceased is a child of God and welcomed back to the Father

  
  

  - The grave is sprinkled with Holy Water: reminder of baptism

  
  

  - The prayers are full of hope that the deceased will enter heaven
• What parts of The Catholic Mass can be sung?

  - Alleluia

  
  

  - Eucharist Acclamation

  
  

  - The Gloria

  
  

  - Hymns