The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church,[note 1] is the world's largest Christian church, and claims over a billion members, representing approximately half of all Christians[note 2] and one-sixth of the world's population. The Catholic Church is a communion of the Western Rite (Latin Rite) and 22 autonomous Eastern Catholic Churches (called particular churches), comprising 2,795 dioceses in 2008. The Church's highest earthly authority in matters of faith, morality and governance is the Pope,[15] currently Pope Benedict XVI, who holds supreme authority in concert with the College of Bishops, of which he is the head.[16][17][18] The Catholic community is made up of an ordained ministry and the laity; members of either group may belong to organized religious communities.[19]
The Church defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity.[20] It operates social programs and institutions throughout the world, including schools, universities, hospitals, missions and shelters, as well as organizations such as Catholic Relief Services, Caritas Internationalis and Catholic Charities that help the poor, families, the elderly and the sick.[21]
The Church believes itself to be the continuation of the Christian community founded by Jesus in his consecration of Saint Peter.[22] The Catholic Church considers its bishops to be validly consecrated according to the doctrine of apostolic succession, making them valid successors to the twelve apostles. In addition, the Church lays claim to the Primacy of Simon Peter and the Primacy of the Roman Pontiff by virtue of the Pope's title as the Bishop of Rome.[23][24][25] Other churches such as the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion recognize the valid consecration of the Catholic Church's bishops as well as the primacy of the Bishop of Rome although they interpret that primacy differently.
The Church has defined its doctrines through various ecumenical councils, following the example set by the first Apostles in the Council of Jerusalem.[26] On the basis of promises made by Jesus to his apostles, described in the Gospels, the Church believes that it is guided by the Holy Spirit and thereby protected from falling into doctrinal error.[27][28][29]
Catholic beliefs are based on the deposit of Faith (containing both the Holy Bible and Sacred Tradition) handed down from the time of the Apostles, which are interpreted by the Church's teaching authority. Those beliefs are summarized in the Nicene Creed and formally detailed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.[30] Formal Catholic worship, termed the liturgy, is regulated by Church authority. The Eucharist, one of seven Church Sacraments, which is also called the Mass in the West, and in the East the Divine Liturgy, is the center of Catholic worship.
With a history spanning almost two thousand years, the Church is one of the world's oldest institutions[31] and has played a prominent role in the history of Western civilization since at least the 4th century.[32] In the 11th century, a major split, sometimes called the Great Schism, occurred between Eastern and Western Christianity, largely as a result of disagreements over papal primacy. Those Eastern churches which remained in, or later re-established, communion with the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, form the Eastern Catholic churches and those which remain independent of papal authority are usually known as Eastern Orthodox churches. In the 16th century, partly in response to the rise of the Protestant Reformation in western Europe, the Church engaged in its own substantial process of reform and renewal, known as the Counter-Reformation.
Although the Church maintains that it is the "one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church" founded by Jesus Christ where one can find the fullness of the means of salvation,[33][34] it also acknowledges that the Holy Spirit can make use of other Christian communities to bring people to salvation.[35][36] It believes that it is called by the Holy Spirit to work for unity among all Christians, a movement known as ecumenism.[36] Modern challenges facing the Church include the rise of secularism and opposition to its stances on abortion, euthanasia, contraception, and sexual morality.[37]
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In June, Pope Benedict XVI's latest encyclical made it clear that the Catholic Church is very much concerned with issues related to the environment, ...
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Christopher di Spirito
Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:03:37 GM
There appears to be no depth to the hypocrisy of the . Catholic church. . Case in point, as the . Roman Catholic. Diocese of Portland, ME spends itself into fiscal bankruptcy back the antigay marriage equality effort, shuttering its . churches. ...
Q. What exactly do Catholics believe ? Do you believe in salvation through the grace of Jesus Christ ? Is His grace sufficient, or do you have to work your way to His salvation ? I have heard many opinions and such, please a priest or teacher of the Catholic church should answer. I just want to learn. Thank you and may God bless you all through Christ Jesus.
Asked by paula b - Sun Feb 1 05:18:04 2009 - - 14 Answers - 0 Comments
A. Yes, we believe in Salvation through the graces attained from Jesus Christ. But you still have to work for perfection in the faith. Living on this earth gives us many many temptations and it is up to us to be strong and avoid being tempted at all cost. We are all sinners and therefore are constantly working at our own salvation. Going to confession and receiving Jesus In the Most blessed and Holy Sacrament of the Altar, is also part of the salvation process. For by putting Jesus in our hearts, we are stronger to avoid these temptations. The road to perfection is very hard, but the rewards in heaven are very great and well worth the effort. Read the life of a Saint, see what they went through to attain eternal salvation in heaven. I have… [cont.]
Answered by Believer, wife & mother - Sun Feb 1 06:05:27 2009
