Church
Mepkin Abbey
Ordinary Form / Mainstream Latin Catholic: a neutral profile of what this congregation describes about its beliefs.
Where to find them
Public details for this congregation.
No public contact details yetKnow this congregation's address or website? Point us to it.Suggest details
33.1145° N, 79.9528° WOpen map →TraditionOrdinary Form / Mainstream Latin CatholicAbout →
Sourcing statusTradition default
Beliefs on file1231 positions
Statement of faithNot on file
Where they stand
Each position below is labelled by how it was sourced, so you can weigh it for yourself.
VerifiedConfirmed by the church
From their statement of faithEstimated, not verified
Tradition defaultEstimated, not verified
Showing 114 of 1231 positions across 18 topics. Expand any topic to see the rest.
God & the Trinity59 positions
- Analogical LanguageStrongly affirmsTradition defaultHuman language about God is analogical: true but never capturing God univocally as it captures creatures.Estimated, not verified
- Apophatic PriorityLeans toward affirmingTradition defaultWhat God is in himself is ultimately beyond human comprehension, so negative ("God is not...") statements are more reliable than positive ones.Estimated, not verified
Christ73 positions
- Assumed Fallen Human NatureStrongly rejectsTradition defaultChrist assumed a fully fallen human nature (subject to the effects of the Fall) in order to heal it from within.Estimated, not verified
- Assumed Unfallen Human NatureStrongly affirmsTradition defaultChrist assumed an unfallen, sinless human nature, untouched by original sin/corruption.Estimated, not verified
Sin & the fall64 positions
- Adams Sin Brought Physical DeathStrongly affirmsTradition defaultPhysical death entered the human race as a consequence of Adam's sin; humans were not originally subject to death.Estimated, not verified
- All Sin Deserves Death EquallyRejectsTradition defaultEvery sin, however small, deserves God's condemnation/death: there is no class of sin that does not by nature merit it.Estimated, not verified
Salvation76 positions
- Active Obedience ImputedStrongly rejectsTradition defaultChrist's lifelong law-keeping (his "active obedience"), not only his death, is imputed to the believer as their positive righteousness.Estimated, not verified
- Annihilationism Conditional ImmortalityStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe finally lost are ultimately destroyed/cease to exist rather than suffering everlasting conscious torment (annihilationism / conditional immortality).Estimated, not verified
The Holy Spirit57 positions
- Anointing For Special MinistryAffirmsTradition defaultThe Spirit grants a special "anointing" empowering particular individuals for ministry beyond the common indwelling.Estimated, not verified
- Assurance Is Normal For BelieversStrongly rejectsTradition defaultSettled assurance of salvation is normal and to be expected for genuine believers in this life.Estimated, not verified
The Church85 positions
- Apostolic Succession Required For Valid MinistryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA minister's ordination is only VALID if conferred by a bishop standing in apostolic succession.Estimated, not verified
- Apostolicity Is Doctrinal Not SuccessionalStrongly rejectsTradition defaultApostolicity consists primarily in fidelity to apostolic DOCTRINE, not in an unbroken chain of ordinations from the apostles.Estimated, not verified
Sacraments & ordinances83 positions
- Age Of Accountability Before BaptismStrongly rejectsTradition defaultBaptism should wait until a person reaches an age of accountability and can repent and believe for themselves.Estimated, not verified
- Anointing For Healing PracticeStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church should anoint the sick with oil and pray over them for healing (per James 5).Estimated, not verified
Worship & liturgy71 positions
- Altar Call InvitationStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA public invitation/altar call inviting people to come forward to receive Christ or rededicate is a fitting close to worship.Estimated, not verified
- Altar Oriented ArchitectureStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe worship space should be ordered around an altar/holy table as its visual and theological focus.Estimated, not verified
Last things64 positions
- A Literal Mark Of The Beast Is ComingAffirmsTradition defaultA literal future "mark of the beast" will be imposed as a condition of economic participation.Estimated, not verified
- All Will Finally Be SavedStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIn the end all rational creatures will be reconciled to God and none will be finally lost (universal reconciliation/apokatastasis).Estimated, not verified
Scripture73 positions
- Authority Creeds SubordinateRejectsTradition defaultThe ecumenical creeds and confessions are authoritative only insofar as they faithfully summarize Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- Authority Holy Tradition OrthodoxAffirmsTradition defaultScripture is rightly read only within Holy Tradition: the Fathers, councils, liturgy, and consensus of the Church.Estimated, not verified
Revelation, creation & science51 positions
- Adam Special Creation From DustStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe first human was specially and directly created by God from the dust, not biologically descended from earlier hominins.Estimated, not verified
- Angels Created BeingsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAngels and other spiritual beings are part of God's created order, made by God.Estimated, not verified
Life & bioethics80 positions
- Abortifacient Contraception WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMethods that can prevent implantation of an already-fertilized embryo (e.g., certain IUDs, emergency contraception) are morally equivalent to early abortion and impermissible.Estimated, not verified
- Abortion A Protected RightStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAccess to abortion is a fundamental right that should be legally protected.Estimated, not verified
- Abortion Can Be Compassionate ChoiceStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAbortion can be a morally responsible, even compassionate, choice that should not carry moral stigma.Estimated, not verified
- Abortion Early Less Wrong Than LateStrongly rejectsTradition defaultEarly abortion is significantly less morally serious than late-term abortion.Estimated, not verified
- Abortion Gravely Wrong In PrincipleStrongly affirmsTradition defaultDeliberately ending a pregnancy by killing the unborn is in itself a grave moral wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Abortion Permitted For Fetal AnomalyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAbortion is morally permissible when the fetus has a severe anomaly or a condition incompatible with life.Estimated, not verified
- Abortion Permitted For Rape Or IncestStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAbortion is morally permissible when the pregnancy results from rape or incest.Estimated, not verified
- Abortion Permitted For Socioeconomic ReasonsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAbortion is morally permissible for serious socioeconomic reasons (poverty, inability to care for a child, life disruption).Estimated, not verified
- Abortion Permitted To Save Mothers LifeStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAbortion is morally permissible when continuing the pregnancy would directly threaten the mother's life.Estimated, not verified
- Abortion Prohibited No ExceptionsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAbortion is impermissible in all circumstances, including rape, incest, fetal anomaly, and threat to the mother's life.Estimated, not verified
- Abortion Woman Sole DeciderStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe decision to continue or end a pregnancy belongs to the pregnant woman alone.Estimated, not verified
- Adult Ipsc Stem Cells PreferableStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAdult and induced-pluripotent stem cells (which do not require destroying embryos) are the morally preferable avenue for stem-cell medicine.Estimated, not verified
- Advance Directives Should Be FollowedAffirmsTradition defaultA competent person's advance directive refusing future treatment should be respected.Estimated, not verified
- Birth Confers StatusStrongly rejectsTradition defaultFull moral status and the protections of personhood begin only at birth.Estimated, not verified
- Bodily Autonomy SupremeStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA competent adult's autonomy over their own body is the decisive moral consideration in life-and-death medical choices.Estimated, not verified
- Brain Death Is True DeathAffirmsTradition defaultIrreversible loss of all brain function (brain death) constitutes the genuine death of the person.Estimated, not verified
- Capital Punishment Legitimate In PrincipleLeans toward rejectingTradition defaultThe state may, in principle, justly impose the death penalty for the gravest crimes.Estimated, not verified
- Capital Punishment Required By JusticeStrongly rejectsTradition defaultJustice positively requires the execution of murderers (life-for-life retribution as a moral duty, not merely a permission).Estimated, not verified
- Capital Punishment Should Be AbolishedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe death penalty should be abolished in practice today.Estimated, not verified
- Chimera Human Animal Research WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultCreating human-animal hybrids or chimeras for research is morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Cloning Humans WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultReproductive cloning of a human being is morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Commercial Surrogacy Specifically WrongAffirmsTradition defaultPaying a woman to gestate a child (commercial surrogacy) is specifically wrong as commodification, even if altruistic surrogacy might be tolerated.Estimated, not verified
- Consistent Life EthicStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA coherent ethic of life must oppose abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, and unjust war alike ("seamless garment" / consistent life ethic).Estimated, not verified
- Continuous Deep Sedation AcceptableStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSedating a dying patient into unconsciousness to relieve otherwise intractable suffering (palliative/terminal sedation) is morally acceptable when death is not the intended aim.Estimated, not verified
- Creating Surplus Embryos WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultCreating more embryos than will be transferred to the womb is morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Crispr Designer Babies WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultEngineering "designer babies" by selecting or editing for desired non-medical traits is morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Dead Donor Rule Must HoldStrongly affirmsTradition defaultVital organs may be taken only after the donor is truly dead (the "dead donor rule" must not be relaxed).Estimated, not verified
- Delayed Ensoulment HistoricRejectsTradition defaultThe rational soul is infused only after the body has reached a sufficient stage of formation (delayed hominization), not at fertilization.Estimated, not verified
- Discarding Embryos Is KillingStrongly affirmsTradition defaultDestroying or discarding unused embryos is the killing of human beings.Estimated, not verified
- Dnr Orders Morally AcceptableStrongly affirmsTradition defaultDo-not-resuscitate orders are morally acceptable when resuscitation would be futile or excessively burdensome.Estimated, not verified
- Donor Gametes IllicitStrongly affirmsTradition defaultUsing donor sperm or eggs (third-party gametes) in reproduction is morally illicit.Estimated, not verified
- Double Effect LegitimateStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAn action with both a good and a foreseen-but-unintended bad effect can be permissible if the bad effect is not the means to the good and the goods are proportionate (the principle of double effect).Estimated, not verified
- Embryo Adoption PraiseworthyLeans toward rejectingTradition defaultAdopting and gestating abandoned frozen embryos ("embryo adoption" / snowflake adoption) is a praiseworthy way to rescue them.Estimated, not verified
- Embryo Is Potential Not Actual PersonStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe early embryo is a potential person, not yet an actual person, and is owed respect proportioned to that potential.Estimated, not verified
- Embryonic Stem Cell Research WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultResearch that destroys human embryos to obtain stem cells is morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Euthanasia Always WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultDeliberately ending a patient's life to relieve suffering (active euthanasia) is always morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Euthanasia For Non Terminal SufferingStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAssisted dying may be appropriate for unbearable suffering even when the condition is not terminal (chronic illness, psychiatric suffering, disability).Estimated, not verified
- Extraordinary Means Not ObligatoryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultOne is not morally required to use extraordinary/disproportionate means (burdensome, futile, or excessively costly treatment) to prolong life.Estimated, not verified
- Freezing Embryos Morally ProblematicStrongly affirmsTradition defaultCryopreserving human embryos is morally problematic because it suspends and endangers human lives.Estimated, not verified
- Genetic Enhancement WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultUsing genetic technology to enhance traits beyond the treatment of disease (intelligence, appearance, ability) is morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Genetic Tech Is Playing GodLeans toward affirmingTradition defaultSubstantially redesigning human biology through technology usurps a prerogative belonging to God ("playing God").Estimated, not verified
- Germline Editing WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultEditing the human germline (heritable changes passed to descendants) is morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Gradual Moral StatusStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe moral status of the unborn increases gradually through gestation rather than being full from conception or absent until birth.Estimated, not verified
- Healthcare Workers May Refuse AbortionStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMedical professionals have a moral right to conscientiously refuse to perform or refer for abortions.Estimated, not verified
- Image Of God Grounds LifeStrongly affirmsTradition defaultHuman life possesses a special, inviolable dignity because human beings are made in the image of God.Estimated, not verified
- Immediate Ensoulment At ConceptionStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe rational soul is infused by God at the moment of conception.Estimated, not verified
- Intentional Killing Innocent Always WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe direct, intentional killing of an innocent human being is always gravely wrong, with no exceptions.Estimated, not verified
- Ivf Acceptable Within MarriageStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIVF using a married couple's own gametes is morally acceptable as a remedy for infertility.Estimated, not verified
- Ivf Intrinsically IllicitStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIn vitro fertilization is intrinsically morally illicit because it separates procreation from the marital act.Estimated, not verified
- Late Term Abortion Specially WrongAffirmsTradition defaultLate-term abortion (third trimester) is gravely wrong even where earlier abortion might be tolerated.Estimated, not verified
- Legalize Assisted DyingStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAssisted dying / euthanasia should be legally available with appropriate safeguards.Estimated, not verified
- Lethal Force Ever JustifiedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultTaking human life can be morally justified in some circumstances (just war, defense of the innocent, lawful execution).Estimated, not verified
- Life Begins At Implantation Not FertilizationStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA protectable human life begins at implantation rather than at fertilization.Estimated, not verified
- Life Belongs To God StewardshipStrongly affirmsTradition defaultHuman life is a gift over which we are stewards, not owners; we may not dispose of it (our own or another's) at will.Estimated, not verified
- Life Of Mother Only Via Double EffectStrongly affirmsTradition defaultWhen the mother's life is at risk, only procedures that do not directly target the unborn (e.g., removing a diseased organ with foreseen fetal death) are licit: not a direct abortion.Estimated, not verified
- Living Organ Donation AcceptableStrongly affirmsTradition defaultDonating a non-vital organ (e.g., a kidney) while alive, out of charity, is morally acceptable.Estimated, not verified
- Natural Law Authoritative For BioethicsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultReason reflecting on human nature (natural law) yields binding moral norms for medicine, independent of explicit Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- Nutrition Hydration Always ObligatoryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultArtificially administered nutrition and hydration are basic care that may (almost) never be withdrawn, even from permanently unconscious patients.Estimated, not verified
- Ordinary Contraception Morally AcceptableStrongly rejectsTradition defaultNon-abortifacient contraception (barrier/hormonal methods that prevent fertilization) is morally acceptable for married couples.Estimated, not verified
- Ordinary Means ObligatoryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThere is a moral obligation to use ordinary/proportionate means to preserve life (basic care, ordinarily-beneficial treatment).Estimated, not verified
- Organ Donation After Death PraiseworthyStrongly affirmsTradition defaultDonating one's organs after death is a morally good and praiseworthy act of charity.Estimated, not verified
- Pain Relief Acceptable Even If Hastens DeathStrongly affirmsTradition defaultGiving pain relief sufficient to control suffering is acceptable even if it foreseeably (but unintentionally) shortens life.Estimated, not verified
- Personhood From ConceptionStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA distinct human person, bearing full moral status, exists from the moment of conception/fertilization.Estimated, not verified
- Personhood Requires Developed CapacitiesStrongly rejectsTradition defaultFull moral status (personhood) depends on actualized capacities such as consciousness, sentience, or rationality, which the early embryo lacks.Estimated, not verified
- Pgd Embryo Selection WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultPre-implantation genetic diagnosis used to select which embryos to implant (and discard the rest) is morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Physician Assisted Suicide PermissibleStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA physician may permissibly help a competent, terminally ill patient end their own life at the patient's request.Estimated, not verified
- Post Birth Termination PermissibleStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIn some cases (e.g., severe anomaly), ending the life of a newborn could be ethically comparable to late abortion.Estimated, not verified
- Quality Of Life Can OverrideStrongly rejectsTradition defaultWhen a life involves sufficient suffering or loss of function, considerations of "quality of life" can outweigh the duty to preserve it.Estimated, not verified
- Saviour Sibling WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultConceiving and selecting a child specifically to be a tissue/organ donor for an existing sibling ("saviour sibling") treats the child as a means and is wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Selective Reduction WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultReducing a multiple pregnancy by aborting one or more fetuses ("selective reduction") is morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Self Defense Killing PermissibleStrongly affirmsTradition defaultUsing lethal force to defend oneself or others from a deadly attacker is morally permissible.Estimated, not verified
- Selling Organs WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBuying or selling human organs is morally wrong (commodification of the body).Estimated, not verified
- Somatic Gene Therapy AcceptableStrongly affirmsTradition defaultGenetic modification of a patient's body cells to treat disease (somatic gene therapy) is morally acceptable.Estimated, not verified
- State Bears Sword Romans 13AffirmsTradition defaultScripture grants the civil authority a God-given right to wield lethal force ("the sword") against grave wrongdoing.Estimated, not verified
- Suicide Is Morally WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSuicide (taking one's own life) is morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Surrogacy IllicitStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSurrogate pregnancy (gestating a child for another couple) is morally illicit.Estimated, not verified
- Therapeutic Cloning WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultCreating cloned human embryos for research or therapy (therapeutic cloning), then destroying them, is morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Vitalism Preserve Life At All CostsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultHuman life must be preserved by every available medical means for as long as possible, regardless of burden or prognosis.Estimated, not verified
- Voluntary Active Vs Passive DistinctionStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThere is a morally significant difference between actively killing a patient and allowing them to die by withholding/withdrawing treatment.Estimated, not verified
- Withdrawing Treatment Can Be LicitStrongly affirmsTradition defaultWithdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatment can be morally licit when it is futile or excessively burdensome.Estimated, not verified
Sexuality & marriage76 positions
- Abortifacient Contraception WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultContraceptive methods that may act after fertilization (potential abortifacients) are morally wrong even if other contraception is permitted.Estimated, not verified
- Annulment Recognizes Invalid MarriageStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSome unions that appeared to be marriages were never valid marriages, and the church can rightly declare them null (annulment).Estimated, not verified
Society & politics65 positions
- Active Nonviolent Resistance ObligatoryAffirmsTradition defaultChristians should actively resist injustice through nonviolent means (protest, civil disobedience, noncooperation), not merely abstain from violence.Estimated, not verified
- Almsgiving Is A Binding ObligationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultGiving to the poor is a binding moral obligation, not optional charity, and to withhold from the needy is a sin.Estimated, not verified
Angelology Demonology69 positions
- Angelic Fall Caused By PrideStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe angels fell primarily through pride: refusing subjection to God / seeking to exalt themselves.Estimated, not verified
- Angelic Fall Predates Human FallStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe angelic rebellion occurred before the fall of humanity, and the serpent's temptation issued from an already-fallen angel.Estimated, not verified
Anthropology65 positions
- Body Essential To PersonStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe body is essential to being a complete human person, not an accidental or dispensable container for the soul.Estimated, not verified
- Body GoodStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe material human body is intrinsically good as created by God.Estimated, not verified
Covenant Law Israel43 positions
- Abrahamic Covenant Foundational And OngoingStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe Abrahamic covenant is foundational and its promises remain operative for the people of God today.Estimated, not verified
- Baptism Replaces Circumcision Covenant SignStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBaptism is the New Covenant counterpart to circumcision, marking entrance into the covenant community.Estimated, not verified
Mariology Saints77 positions
- All Believers Are SaintsRejectsTradition default"Saints" in the New Testament sense means all believers, not a special canonized class.Estimated, not verified
- Altar Relics Required Or ProperStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIt is fitting (or required) that altars contain the relics of saints.Estimated, not verified
Churches nearby
Other congregations in the directory near this one.
Want to study this church's tradition at the source? Bible Gateway Plus or Logos Bible Software pair well with any statement of faith.
Keep exploring
See where the Ordinary Form / Mainstream Latin Catholic tradition typically lands, or take the quiz to get your % match with every church.