Dogma

From the Greek word 'dogma' (a decree).

A revealed truth defined by a faith group. It is important to realise that one group's dogma is often another group's heresy.

For example, the following list shows the five dogmas of Mary:

1. Theotokos: Mary is the mother of God. (431 Council of Ephesus).
2. Perpetual Virginity: She remained a virgin all her life.
3. Immaculate Conception: She did not have original sin from the moment of her conception. (1854, Pope Pius IX). Other doctrines further state that she committed no sins during her entire life.
4. Assumption: She was resurrected body and soul into heaven and her body did not decay. (1950, Pius XII).
5. Coredemptrix, Mediatrix, Advocate: She participates in the saving of humans. (Pope John Paul II).