uh...wait a minute... not so fast....

Lutero said:uh...wait a minute... not so fast....Salvation in Roman Catholicism is a process. To begin this process, God grants actual grace to a person which enables him to believe in Christ (CCC 2000) and also believe in the truth of the Catholic Church (CCC 1814). After belief, the person must be baptized, which is necessary for salvation (CCC 1257). This baptism erases original sin (CCC 405), unites the person with Christ (CCC 977), infuses grace into the person (CCC 1999), and grants justification (CCC 1992, 2020). After baptism, he is then saved. But, to maintain his salvation, it is necessary for him to perform good works (CCC 2010, 2068, 2080) and participate in the sacraments (CCC 1129) which provide grace that is "proper to each sacrament" (CCC 1129, 2003). This is necessary in order to maintain infused grace (CCC 987, 1468). However, grace can be lessened by venial sins or completely lost by mortal sins. Venial sins (CCC 1862) remove part of the infused grace but not the saving grace known as sanctifying grace (CCC 1863). To remedy the problem of venial sins, the Catholic is to take the Eucharist and also perform penance which the Catholic Church teaches that both forgive venial sins (CCC 1416, 986). However, penance must be done with perfect contrition (CCC 1452). But there is a problem. Even though sins are absolved by a priest (CCC 1463, 1495), in confession (CCC 1456, 1493), the punishment due to a person because of his sin remains. To deal with that remaining punishment, indulgences are administered to deal with the punishment due to the guilt of the sins already forgiven (CCC 1471, 1498). These indulgences draw upon the "good works of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (CCC 1477) and "of Christ and the saints" so as to obtain "the remission of the temporal punishment due for their sins" (CCC 1478). Furthermore, the indulgences can be applied to themselves or the dead (CCC 1471) who are in purgatory (CCC 1498). Now, in case the Catholic has committed a mortal sin, then all his infused grace is lost. To regain this grace, he must partake of special penance (CCC 980, 1496) since it helps restore grace that was lost (CCC 1468, 1496). To conclude, for the Catholic the process of salvation means you must have faith in Christ and the Roman Catholic Church, participate in the sacraments, take the Eucharist, keep the commandments, perform penance, and do indulgences in order to attain, maintain, and regain his salvation as well as reduce the punishment due to him for the sins of which he has already forgiven.

Uh, wait a minute....

Lutero,

Sorry that I missed this when you originally posted it.

Lutero said:

uh...wait a minute... not so fast...Salvation in Roman Catholicism is a process.

Correct.

To begin this process, God grants actual grace to a person which enables him to believe in Christ (CCC 2000)

Correct.

and also believe in the truth of the Catholic Church (CCC 1814).

Correct.

After belief, the person must be baptized, which is necessary for salvation (CCC 1257).

Correct (leaving aside Baptism of blood and desire, for now).

This baptism erases original sin (CCC 405),

Correct.

unites the person with Christ (CCC 977),

Correct.

infuses grace into the person (CCC 1999),

Sanctifying grace, correct. 

and grants justification (CCC 1992, 2020).

Which began at conversion, upon first receiving actual grace (CCC 1989).

After baptism, he is then saved. But, to maintain his salvation, it is necessary for him to perform good works (CCC 2010, 2068, 2080)

In accordance with God's will (James 2:14; Matt 25:31-45; Matt 7:21).

and participate in the sacraments (CCC 1129) which provide grace that is "proper to each sacrament" (CCC 1129, 2003).

Correct.

This is necessary in order to maintain infused grace (CCC 987, 1468). However, grace can be lessened by venial sins or completely lost by mortal sins.

Correct.

Venial sins (CCC 1862) remove part of the infused grace but not the saving grace known as sanctifying grace (CCC 1863).

Also correct.

To remedy the problem of venial sins, the Catholic is to take the Eucharist and also perform penance which the Catholic Church teaches that both forgive venial sins (CCC 1416, 986).

Correct.

However, penance must be done with perfect contrition (CCC 1452).

That is not what CCC1452 says. Perfect contrition is necessary for forgiveness if one is not able to go to Confession.

But there is a problem. Even though sins are absolved by a priest (CCC 1463, 1495), in confession (CCC 1456, 1493), the punishment due to a person because of his sin remains.

Not necessarily. That is an "if" clause. Suffering can remit sins and the punishment due to sins, in this life. It is called the "purgative way."

1472 To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the "eternal punishment" of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the "temporal punishment" of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.

To deal with that remaining punishment, indulgences are administered to deal with the punishment due to the guilt of the sins already forgiven (CCC 1471, 1498).

More misunderstanding. 

1. Suffering in this life, expiates sin (CCC1472; 1 Pet 4:1).
2. Suffering is our participation in Christ's sacrifice (CCC 1505; 1521; Col 1:24).

Therefore, indulgences may not be necessary. However, every good Catholic will seek to obtain indulgences for those whom he loves. And that should be all of God's people.

These indulgences draw upon the "good works of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (CCC 1477) and "of Christ and the saints" so as to obtain "the remission of the temporal punishment due for their sins" (CCC 1478). Furthermore, the indulgences can be applied to themselves or the dead (CCC 1471) who are in purgatory (CCC 1498).

Correct.

Now, in case the Catholic has committed a mortal sin, then all his infused grace is lost.

Correct.

To regain this grace, he must partake of special penance (CCC 980, 1496)

I don't know what you mean by "special" penance. Do you mean the Sacrament of Penance?

since it helps restore grace that was lost (CCC 1468, 1496).

It restores grace which was lost.

To conclude, for the Catholic the process of salvation means you must have faith in Christ

Hebrews 5:9
King James Version (KJV)
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

 

and the Roman Catholic Church,

Matthew 18:17
King James Version (KJV)
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

participate in the sacraments, take the Eucharist,

Mark 16:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

John 20:23
King James Version (KJV)
23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

John 6:51
King James Version (KJV)
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
etc. etc.

keep the commandments,

Revelation 22:14
King James Version (KJV)
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city

perform penance,

1 Peter 2:21
King James Version (KJV)
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

and do indulgences

Matthew 6:20
King James Version (KJV)
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Luke 11:41
King James Version (KJV)
41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

in order to attain, maintain, and regain his salvation as well as reduce the punishment due to him for the sins of which he has already forgiven.

In other words, we must obey the Word of God.

Sincerely,

De Maria