Heresy

Heresy is the obstinate denial after Baptism of a truth which must be believed with divine and Catholic faith — or an obstinate doubt about such a truth (CCC 2089).

What Makes Something a Heresy

Not every theological error is heresy. Heresy requires: (1) the truth denied must be a formally defined dogma; (2) the person must be baptized; and (3) the denial must be obstinate — knowing and willful, not the result of ignorance or confusion. A Catholic who knowingly and persistently denies a defined dogma — such as the Real Presence, the Trinity, or the Resurrection — commits heresy (CCC 2089).

Historical Heresies

The history of the Church is in part the history of heresies and the Church's responses. Major heresies include Arianism (denying Christ's full divinity), Nestorianism (denying the unity of Christ's Person), Pelagianism (denying the necessity of grace for salvation), and Gnosticism (denying the goodness of creation). The Church's responses produced the Creeds and the great councils.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between heresy, apostasy, and schism? Heresy is the denial of a defined dogma. Apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith. Schism is the refusal of submission to the Pope or communion with the Church — a breach of unity without necessarily denying doctrine. All three carry the canonical penalty of excommunication (CCC 2089).

Are Protestants heretics? Formal heresy requires obstinate denial of defined dogmas by someone who knows they are defined. Most Protestants were born into their tradition without such knowledge. The Church distinguishes formal heresy from material heresy (holding heretical propositions without knowing they are defined dogmas) (CCC 818).