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How does the church define full membership in the Catholic Church?

User Pdfman
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Final answer:

Full membership in the Catholic Church is achieved through sacraments of initiation like Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist, along with other sacraments that integrate individuals into the church's community life.

Step-by-step explanation:

Full membership in the Catholic Church is defined through the reception of the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, which incorporates individuals into the body of the Church; Confirmation, the pledge to be a faithful member taken in young adulthood; and the Eucharist, where members partake in the body and blood of Christ to commemorate the Last Supper. Additional sacraments such as Marriage, believed to be sanctified by God; Holy Orders, the vows taken by new members of the clergy; and Last Rites, a final ritual for the dying, further integrate individuals into the life of the Church. The Catholic doctrine promotes the idea that all Christians, regardless of their status within the Church, partake in the blessings of Christ. Individuals demonstrate their faith through good works and the hierarchical clergy structure provides diverse offices while maintaining that all baptized individuals are part of the spiritual community, reflecting the teachings of St. Paul that all Christians are one body in Christ.

User Krzysztof Przygoda
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