1.  The doctrine of the "immaculate conception" expresses the belief that:
    
      a.  Jesus was given birth by a virgin;
      b.  Jesus was born without original sin;
      c.  Mary was born without original sin.

2.  The Catholic prayer known as the  "Ave Maria" or the "Hail Mary" contains the words: "Hail Mary, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb." These words originated with:

      a.  the Bible;
      b.  ancient Catholic tradition;
      c.  a fairly modern Pope.

3.  The "Ave Maria" also refers to Mary as "Mother of God" (Greek: Theotokos). This description of Mary originally stressed a truth about

     a.   Mary;
     b.   Jesus;
     c.   God the Father.

4.   According to Catholic understanding, the doctrine of the "infallibility of the Pope" means that:

      a.   a Pope cannot sin;
      b.   a Pope cannot err in understanding Scripture;
      c.   both "a" and "b";
      d.   neither "a" nor "b".

5.   In Roman Catholic theology, people go to Purgatory on their way to:

      a.    heaven;
      b.    hell;
      c.    neither of the above.

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ANSWERS

1. (c).  The doctrine of the "immaculate conception" expresses the belief that Mary herself was born free of "original sin." Because the belief arose that "original sin" is transmitted by  physical procreation, the idea developed that Mary had to be free of "original sin" if Jesus was not to inherit it also. Neither of these beliefs is found in Scripture.

2. (a).  The Catholic prayer known as the  "Ave Maria" or the "Hail Mary" contains the words: "Hail Mary, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb." This part of the prayer originated with Luke 1:42.

3. (b).  The "Ave Maria" also refers to Mary as "Mother of God" (Gk: *Theotokos*).  This description of Mary originally stressed a truth about her son Jesus -- that he was truly deity incarnate.  

4. (d).  According to Catholic understanding, the doctrine of the "infallibility of the Pope" means neither "a" nor "b". Roman Catholics believe that the Pope speaks without error only when he speaks *ex cathedra* ("from the Chair" = as Pope) on matters of faith and morals. The doctrine was not declared until the 1800s and has only been applied two or three times since.

5. (a).  In Roman Catholic theology, people go to Purgatory on their way to heaven, where they are purified of non-mortal sin and prepared to meet God. Most Protestants affirm that God's grace received by faith purifies entirely and imputes to the believer the very perfection of Jesus himself.

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