Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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CONTINGENT

Whatever can be or not be other than it is; that which need not exist. Thus all creatures are contingent beings, since they come into existence out of nothing, and they are changeable realities that depend totally on the sustaining power of God.