Church
St Stephen Rectory
Ordinary Form / Mainstream Latin Catholic: a neutral profile of what this congregation describes about its beliefs.
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48.4495° N, 96.8778° 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 110 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
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
- Artificial Contraception Is WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultArtificial contraception (barrier, hormonal, sterilization) is intrinsically morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Body Has Intrinsic MeaningStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe human body has an intrinsic, God-given sexual meaning (e.g. male-female complementarity) that moral choices must honor rather than redefine.Estimated, not verified
- Celibacy Is A Higher CallingStrongly affirmsTradition defaultConsecrated celibacy/virginity is a higher or more excellent state than marriage.Estimated, not verified
- Celibate Obedience Better Than RevisionStrongly affirmsTradition defaultWhere Scripture and the body's design conflict with a person's desires, the faithful response is costly obedience (including lifelong celibacy), not revising the teaching.Estimated, not verified
- Chastity Is A Positive VirtueStrongly affirmsTradition defaultChastity (rightly ordered sexuality according to one's state in life) is a positive virtue to be actively cultivated, not merely abstinence.Estimated, not verified
- Church Should Bless Same Sex UnionsRejectsTradition defaultThe church should liturgically bless and solemnize same-sex unions.Estimated, not verified
- Civil Marriage Is Valid MarriageRejectsTradition defaultA marriage contracted before the state (civil marriage) is a fully valid marriage in God's sight.Estimated, not verified
- Clergy Should Be CelibateStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThose ordained to the priesthood/ministry should be celibate.Estimated, not verified
- Cohabitation Before Marriage AcceptableStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIt is morally acceptable for an unmarried couple to live together (cohabit) in a sexual relationship.Estimated, not verified
- Contraception Fully PermissibleStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMarried couples may use contraception freely as a matter of prudent stewardship, with no moral cloud over it.Estimated, not verified
- Deliberate Childlessness AcceptableStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA married couple may in good conscience choose to remain permanently childless.Estimated, not verified
- Distinct Gender Roles Are CreationalStrongly affirmsTradition defaultDistinct roles for men and women are rooted in the created order, not merely in culture or the curse.Estimated, not verified
- Divorce Permitted For AbandonmentStrongly rejectsTradition defaultDivorce is also permitted when an unbelieving or abusive spouse deserts/abandons the marriage (the "Pauline privilege" / desertion ground).Estimated, not verified
- Divorce Permitted For AbuseRejectsTradition defaultSevere abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual) is itself a legitimate ground for divorce.Estimated, not verified
- Divorce Permitted For AdulteryStrongly rejectsTradition defaultDivorce is permitted in the case of a spouse's sexual unfaithfulness (the "exception clause").Estimated, not verified
- Divorced Remarried Barred From CommunionAffirmsTradition defaultA person divorced and civilly remarried without annulment should be barred from receiving Communion.Estimated, not verified
- Every Sex Act Open To ProcreationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultEvery marital sexual act must remain open to the possibility of procreation.Estimated, not verified
- Experience And Conscience AuthoritativeStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe lived experience and conscience of faithful believers (including LGBTQ Christians) is a legitimate source that can correct inherited sexual teaching.Estimated, not verified
- Gay Christians Called To CelibacyStrongly affirmsTradition defaultChristians who experience exclusive same-sex attraction are called to lifelong celibacy or to a mixed-orientation marriage with the opposite sex.Estimated, not verified
- Gender Dysphoria To Be Eased Not AffirmedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultGender dysphoria should be met with compassion and care aimed at reconciling the person to their birth sex, not at transition.Estimated, not verified
- Gender Identity Can Differ From Birth SexStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA person's internal gender identity can legitimately differ from their birth sex and should be respected as their true gender.Estimated, not verified
- Gender Of Partners Irrelevant To EthicsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe sex/gender of one's partner is morally irrelevant; the same covenantal standards apply to same-sex and opposite-sex relationships alike.Estimated, not verified
- Historical Polygamy Was Divinely ToleratedRejectsTradition defaultOld Testament polygamy was genuinely permitted/tolerated by God for that era, not merely recorded as sin.Estimated, not verified
- Husband Is Head Of WifeAffirmsTradition defaultThe husband is the divinely appointed head of the wife, who is called to submit to his leadership.Estimated, not verified
- Interfaith Or Mixed Marriage AcceptableRejectsTradition defaultIt is acceptable for a Christian to marry a non-Christian (or to marry across major faith lines).Estimated, not verified
- Intersex Conditions Complicate BinaryRejectsTradition defaultThe existence of intersex conditions shows that biological sex is not strictly binary and warrants pastoral and theological nuance.Estimated, not verified
- Large Families A Blessing To PursueLeans toward affirmingTradition defaultCouples should welcome as many children as God gives and not deliberately limit family size ("quiverfull" conviction).Estimated, not verified
- Lustful Desire Itself Is SinStrongly affirmsTradition defaultInternal lustful desire/fantasy, even without any outward act, is itself sin.Estimated, not verified
- Marital Sex Acts Have Moral LimitsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultEven within marriage, some sexual acts are morally illicit (not "anything goes" between spouses).Estimated, not verified
- Marriage Images Christ And ChurchStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMarriage is a living icon/sign of the union between Christ and the church, and this shapes its norms (including its male-female form).Estimated, not verified
- Marriage Is A CovenantStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMarriage is essentially a covenant (a binding, God-witnessed promise) more than a contract or a means to ends.Estimated, not verified
- Marriage Is A SacramentStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMarriage between the baptized is a sacrament that confers grace.Estimated, not verified
- Marriage Is IndissolubleStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA valid, consummated marriage is absolutely indissoluble; nothing but death ends it.Estimated, not verified
- Marriage Is Lifelong MonogamousStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMarriage is by nature a lifelong, exclusively monogamous union.Estimated, not verified
- Marriage Is Male Female By DefinitionStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBy definition and divine design, marriage is the union of one man and one woman.Estimated, not verified
- Marriage Is The Normative PathRejectsTradition defaultMarriage and child-rearing are the normative, expected path for most adult Christians.Estimated, not verified
- Marriage Requires Proper Form And ConsentStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA valid marriage requires proper canonical form, free consent, and openness to its essential ends; defects in these can void it.Estimated, not verified
- Masturbation Is SinfulStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMasturbation is morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Medical Gender Transition PermissibleStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMedical gender transition (hormones, surgery) can be a morally appropriate response to gender dysphoria.Estimated, not verified
- Natural Family Planning PermissibleStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSpacing or limiting births by natural family planning (periodic abstinence) is morally acceptable for serious reasons, where artificial means are not.Estimated, not verified
- Natural Law Grounds Sexual EthicsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA natural-law reading of the body and its built-in purposes (apart from any single proof-text) establishes objective norms for sexual acts.Estimated, not verified
- No Grounds Justify DivorceAffirmsTradition defaultThere are no grounds whatsoever that morally justify divorce for a believer.Estimated, not verified
- Nonbinary Identities Are ValidStrongly rejectsTradition defaultNon-binary or genderfluid identities are valid and should be affirmed.Estimated, not verified
- Orthodox Economia Permits Second MarriageStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe church may, by pastoral mercy ("economia"), permit a second or third marriage with a penitential rite even though it is less than the ideal.Estimated, not verified
- Polyamory Can Be EthicalStrongly rejectsTradition defaultConsensual polyamorous or "ethical non-monogamous" relationships can be morally legitimate.Estimated, not verified
- Polygamous Converts May Remain MarriedRejectsTradition defaultA man already in a polygamous marriage when he converts may remain married to all his wives rather than being required to divorce.Estimated, not verified
- Polygamy Is ImmoralStrongly affirmsTradition defaultPolygamy (one man, multiple wives) is morally wrong for Christians.Estimated, not verified
- Porn Wrong Mainly For ExploitationRejectsTradition defaultPornography is wrong primarily because of exploitation/objectification and harm in its production, more than because of private lust.Estimated, not verified
- Pornography Use Is SinfulStrongly affirmsTradition defaultUsing pornography is morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Premarital Sex Always WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultPremarital sex (fornication) is always sinful, even between an engaged or committed couple.Estimated, not verified
- Procreation Is A Primary EndStrongly affirmsTradition defaultProcreation (the bearing and raising of children) is a primary, defining end of marriage.Estimated, not verified
- Remarriage After Divorce Is AdulteryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultRemarriage while a former spouse is living constitutes adultery.Estimated, not verified
- Remarriage Permitted For Any PartyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAny divorced person may remarry, regardless of fault in the prior divorce.Estimated, not verified
- Remarriage Permitted For Innocent PartyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe innocent party in a biblically justified divorce is free to remarry.Estimated, not verified
- Same Sex Acts Always SinfulStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSexual acts between two people of the same sex are always morally wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Same Sex Attracted Welcome In MembershipRejectsTradition defaultPeople in same-sex relationships should be welcomed into full church membership without requiring they end the relationship.Estimated, not verified
- Same Sex Attraction Is DisorderedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSame-sex sexual attraction is an objective disorder of desire even when not acted upon.Estimated, not verified
- Same Sex Marriage Is True MarriageStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA covenanted union between two people of the same sex can be a true marriage in God's sight.Estimated, not verified
- Same Sex Orientation Not SinfulAffirmsTradition defaultA same-sex orientation or attraction, in itself (apart from acting on it), is not sinful.Estimated, not verified
- Scripture Norms Sexual EthicsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultScripture provides binding, authoritative norms for sexual conduct that the church is not free to revise.Estimated, not verified
- Sex Is Fixed Binary GivenStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA person's sex is a fixed, binary, God-given reality determined at conception, not something that can be changed.Estimated, not verified
- Sex Reserved For MarriageStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSexual intercourse is morally reserved exclusively for marriage.Estimated, not verified
- Sexual Acts Morally Neutral Absent HarmStrongly rejectsTradition defaultSexual acts between consenting adults are morally permissible unless they cause harm; consent and care, not act-type, are the decisive criteria.Estimated, not verified
- Sexual Ethics Are A Salvation IssueStrongly affirmsTradition defaultOne's stance and conduct on sexual ethics bears on salvation/standing before God, not merely on discipleship maturity.Estimated, not verified
- Sexual History Does Not Diminish WorthStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA person's prior sexual history has no bearing on their purity, worth, or "marriageability" before God.Estimated, not verified
- Sexual Orientation Can ChangeLeans toward rejectingTradition defaultSexual orientation can be substantially changed through prayer, therapy, or sanctification, and pursuing such change is appropriate.Estimated, not verified
- Sexual Pleasure Is A Good In ItselfAffirmsTradition defaultSexual pleasure within marriage is a genuine good to be enjoyed for its own sake, not merely tolerated for procreation.Estimated, not verified
- Sexual Sin No Worse Than Other SinRejectsTradition defaultSexual sins are not categorically graver than other sins and should not be singled out for special emphasis or discipline.Estimated, not verified
- Singleness Is A Full Equal VocationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultLifelong singleness is a full and equal Christian vocation, not a lesser or transitional state.Estimated, not verified
- Tradition Settles Sexual EthicsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe consistent, unbroken teaching of the historic church on sex and marriage is itself a decisive authority that cannot be overturned.Estimated, not verified
- Unitive Companionship Is Primary EndAffirmsTradition defaultThe unitive good (companionship, mutual love, and one-flesh union of the spouses) is at least as central as procreation, if not more so.Estimated, not verified
- Virginity Until Marriage Normative ExpectationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church should hold up virginity-until-marriage as a clear normative expectation and teach it as such to youth.Estimated, not verified
- Vowed Celibacy Is BindingStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA vow of lifelong celibacy (religious life) is genuinely binding before God and should not be dispensed lightly.Estimated, not verified
- Women May Be Ordained PastorsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultWomen may be ordained as pastors/priests and hold the church's highest teaching/governing office.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
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