Posted by AveMaria [AveMaria] on March 27, 1999 at 11:23:11 {mi5OiZyLgYpQiR32jAWQMWf0hi4VK0MIQ}:
In Reply to: Distubing changes "Edited" posted by N.H. on March 14, 1999 at 04:26:24:
First of all, not eating meat on Fridays is not, and never has been, doctrine. Doctrine is a truth revealed by God, such as the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, or the existance of God as Trinity. These things can *never* change - they never have and they never will. Within the US government, laws that were once considered necessary can be legally changed or discarded by Congress. No such body exists within the Catholic Church to alter doctrine, simply because it is not possible.
On the other hand, practices and traditions (note the lower case "t" to distinguish it from Tradition) are expressions of an unchanging faith, and can be retained, modified, or even discarded as situations change. Some examples of practices or traditions include saying the Rosary, the Latin Mass, the clothing of the clergy and religious orders, and abstaining from meat on Fridays.
Even though I know no one will read this, as I posted it too late and will soon disappear to wherever posts go when they get to old, I still felt the need to make this clarification.
Thanks,
Chris