My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The first article of the Apostle’s Creed is: I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth. There are forty “in brief” statements in The Catechism of the Catholic Church which treat this article of our saving faith. What follows is a reflection on article 419.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1997) cites two (2) sources in this passage: the ‘Solemn Profession of Faith’ of Pope Paul VI (+1978) and the doctrine of the Council of Trent (1545-1563) when treating that part of our faith which deals with Original Sin. In this way we can see the continuity as well as the development of our understanding of this doctrine of our faith.
The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) was the twenty-first ecumenical council or gathering of the Bishops at the request of or under the direction of the Bishop of Rome to address some important issue(s) of the day. Trent was called to answer objections raised by Henry VIII, Martin Luther and John Calvin who are the historical founders of the Church of England, the Lutheran Church and the Presbyterian Church.
To say that ‘original sin is transmitted’ is to be reminded that this does not only concern our first parents, Adam and Eve, but likewise any and all human beings. While the Lord Jesus and His Blessed Mother were spared any stain of original sin, the inspired words of Saint Paul come to mind as regards the rest of us: ‘all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).
When things are transmitted today we often do so via the internet (e-mail, podcasts, websites, streaming video…) in an earlier time even before the cell phone there were telephone and telegraph and even radio and television which may be used to transmit various messages and the like. Original Sin is not transmitted by these means, but rather ‘by propagation’ which in the inspired words of Sacred Scripture “a sinner was I conceived’ (Psalm 51:5). In this regard the Oxford Dictionary reminds us that the verb ‘propagate’ means to ‘breed by natural processes from the parent stock.’ Some would be content to say that sin in us is only a matter of ‘imitation.’ While it is true that often enough we do imitate the sins of others (these are our actual and personal sins) Original Sin is our inheritance from our first parents.
Not only do we receive our human nature we likewise receive as part of the package Original Sin.
The remedy for Original Sin which we inherit and whatever sins we unhappily commit is Christ Jesus Himself, His death and resurrection applied to us in Holy Baptism and subsequently in sacramental Confession which are part of the rich deposit (Jude 1:3) which Christ entrusted to His one only Church (Matthew 16:18; Acts 9:1-5) until He should return in glory at the end of time. May we all be ready!
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr