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Glossary
873
CONVERSION:
A radical
reorientation of the whole life
away from sin and evil, and
toward God. This change of
heart or conversion is a central
element of Christ’s preaching,
of the Church’s ministry of
evangelization, and of the
Sacrament of Penance and
Reconciliation (1427, 1431, 1423;
cf. 821).
COUNCIL, ECUMENICAL:
A gathering of all the bishops
of the world, in the exercise of
their collegial authority over the
universal Church. An ecumenical
council is usually called by the
successor of St. Peter, the Pope, or
at least confirmed or accepted by
him (884).
COUNSEL:
See
Evangelical
Counsels; Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
COVENANT:
A solemn
agreement between human
beings or between God and a
human being involving mutual
commitments or guarantees. The
Bible refers to God’s covenants
with Noah, Abraham, and Moses
as leader of the chosen people,
Israel. In the Old Testament or
Covenant, God revealed his law
through Moses and prepared his
people for salvation through the
prophets. In the New Testament
or Covenant, Christ established
a new and eternal covenant
through his own sacrificial death
and Resurrection. The Christian
economy is the new and definitive
Covenant which will never
pass away, and no new public
revelation is to be expected before
the glorious manifestation of our
Lord Jesus Christ (56, 62, 66).
See
Old Testament; New Testament.
COVETOUSNESS:
A disordered
inclination or desire for pleasure
or possessions. One of the capital
sins, it is proscribed by the ninth
and tenth commandments (2514,
2534).
CREATION:
The act by which the
eternal God gave a beginning to
all that exists outside of himself.
Creation also refers to the created
universe or totality of what exists,
as often expressed by the formula
“the heavens and the earth” (290).
CREED:
A brief, normative
summary statement or profession
of Christian faith, e.g., the
Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene
Creed. The word “Creed” comes
from the Latin
Credo,
meaning “I
believe,” with which the Creed
begins. Creeds are also called
Symbols of Faith (187).
CROSS:
The instrument of
execution on which Christ died; a
symbol of the unique sacrifice of
Christ as sole mediator between
God and man. Jesus invited
his disciples to take up their
cross and follow him, in order
to associate with his redeeming
sacrifice those who were to be
its first beneficiaries. Catholics
begin their prayers and actions
with the
Sign of the Cross
“in the
name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” A
devotional cross with the figure of
Jesus suspended on it is called a
“crucifix” (616, 618, 2166).
-D-
DEACON, DIACONATE:
A third
degree of the hierarchy of the
Sacrament of Holy Orders, after
bishop and priest. The deacon is
ordained not to priesthood but
for ministry and service. Deacons
are ordained to assist the bishop
and priests in the celebration
of the divine mysteries,