CFC [P.340]

Conscience: the inner power which discerns and calls us to do what is good and to avoid evil, according to the law God has written in our hearts. (Cf. Rom 2:12-16.)

            Conscience applies moral law to a particular case, thus formulating moral obligation.

Conversion: a change of heart (metanoia), turning away from sin (sorrow and repentance) and turning toward God and the following of Christ in his Kingdom (purpose of amendment). (Cf. Mk 1:15; Mt 4:17.)

Corporal Works of Mercy: acts of charity responding to “body needs”: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick and imprisoned, and bury the dead. (Cf. Mt 25:31-46.)

Creation: God’s free act of putting and keeping all reality in existence.

Creationism: originally, God’s direct creation of each human soul, but now more commonly referring to anti-evolutionary views which interpret Genes is in a Fundamentalist way.

Decalogue: “Ten words”: the Ten Commandments summarizing Israel’s religious and moral obligations in the Covenant with Yahweh. (Cf. Ex 20:1-17.)

Deposit of Faith: everything God definitively revealed  through Christ for our salvation and entrusted to the Church to be proclaimed, preserved, and interpreted. (Cf. 1 Tim 6:20; 2 Tim 1:12,14; DV 10; GS 62.)

Deuterocanonical Books: Catholic name for books found in the Greek version [LXX Septuagint] of the OT, but not in the Hebrew version. These Books are: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees. There are also additional parts in the Books of Esther and Daniel.

Devil: (“tempter”) Lucifer or Satan, chief of the fallen angels. (Cf. Wis 2:24; Mt 25:41; Lk 10:18; Rv 12:9-12; 16:14.)

Development of Doctrine: gradual growth in the Church’s understanding of the deeper meaning and implications of the truths revealed by Jesus Christ.

Diakonia: “service”: the NT Greek term referring to ministry in the Church for the good of the community. (Cf. Acts 12:17, 25; 21:19; Rom  11:13; 1 Tim 1:12.)