One of my close friends is a former Catholic who is now a Lutheran. Once a month he and another close friend, a Catholic, spend the evening at our home. We share a delicious meal that my wife Cindy prepares with a little help from our daughters, Jennifer and Theresa, and from me. When my sons Tim and Joe aren't at school or working, they, and some times their girlfriends, also eat with us.

After we have thanked God for the food, drink, and our friendship, all of us get into conversations on everything from proper diet to politics to the Bible to Church teachings.

After an hour or two at the dinner table, my two friends and I, having eaten too much, spend three hours trying to walk it off in Resurrection Cemetery. On our walk we discuss family issues, the Bible, and Church teachings.

My Lutheran friend often attacks the Catholic Church. Somewhere in his past, he had a bad experience that drove him from the Church; but he's never been able to clearly explain it to me. Some time during our walk he will say, "The Catholic Church is always changing what it teaches?" When I ask him to explain, he immediately points to eating meat on Friday, reducing the number of Holy Days of Obligation, liturgy changes, and adding a new set of mysteries to the rosary.

For a long time I didn't have an appropriate respond. Then I read a book by David B. Currie, a Protestant who converted to Catholicism in the 1990s. In "Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic," he discusses "change." After reading his thoughts on "change," I realized that I was wrong to lump all type of change together. By so doing I was not able to offer a convincing response to my friend's question.

David Currie says, "There is change that expands on prior truths without negating them." He calls this "development." He goes on to say, "This type of change unpacks the hidden meaning inherent in the original truth so the truth can be better understood." He divides Church teachings into five categories: deposit, dogma, doctrine, disciplines, and devotions. Let me explain each.

DEPOSIT are those infallible teachings that Jesus gave to His Apostles. All deposit is part of Sacred Tradition; while some deposit is written down in Sacred Scripture. Deposit cannot be changed. That Jesus is present--- Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity---in the Eucharist is an example of Deposit.

DOGMA are those truths found in Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, that have been reaffirmed by a Church council or the Pope. Dogma cannot contradict earlier Church teaching; but are declared to combat false teaching. The divinity of Christ and the Assumption of Mary are two examples.

DOCTRINE is the development of truth from Deposit and Dogma. Doctrine develops over time, and over time it can contradict itself. Theologians, professors, and authors develop doctrine. It is not declared true or false by the Church, but it can help us better understand Deposit and Dogma. Remember, the Pope and bishops, not theologians and college professors, are the final arbiters of truth.

DISCIPLINES are those rules that govern the everyday life of faithful Catholics. They are established to enhance our spiritual lives and draw us closer to Christ. The Pope can and does change Disciplines when they are no longer effective in helping us worship God. Eating meat on Friday is an example of a Discipline.

DEVOTIONS are those activities a Catholic does to enhance their walk with God. They are never mandatory. The Rosary and Stations of the Cross are two examples of Devotions. They develop over time, they can change, but they are never mandated by the Church.

Now when my friend says the Church is always changing its teachings, I remind him that it has the authority to change Doctrine, Disciplines, and Devotions, but it lacks the authority to change Deposit or Dogma. So far he has been unable to sight an example of the Church changing Deposit or Dogma. In fact, he no longer tries.

For more insight read CCC paragraphs 5, 9-11, 24, 84-90, 97, 1674-1676. I recommend David B. Currie's book, "Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic." He will clearly explain the many Church teachings that brought him home to the Catholic Church. Also, read the following Bible passages on Church authority: Mt 16:13-19; Mt 18:15-18; Lk 10:16; Acts 15:6-12a.