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A '''sacrament''' is a special religious rite in some Christian churches.

A '''sacrament''' is a special religious rite in some Christian churches.

The [[Roman Catholic Church]] recognizes seven sacraments: [[Baptism]], [[Confirmation]] (Chrismation), the [[Eucharist]], [[Confession|Penance and Reconciliation]] (Confession), the [[Anointing of the Sick]] (Extreme Unction, Last Rites), [[Holy Orders]] and [[Marriage]] (Holy Matrimony).<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3E.HTM ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' 1210], The Vatican. Accessed 24 March 2007</ref> [[Protestantism|Protestant]] churches usually recognize only Baptism, and sometimes the Eucharist, as sacraments. The others may be considered religious ceremonies, but not sacraments.  

The [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]] recognizes seven sacraments: [[Baptism]], [[Confirmation]] (Chrismation), the [[Eucharist]], [[Confession|Penance and Reconciliation]] (Confession), the [[Anointing of the Sick]] (Extreme Unction, Last Rites), [[Holy Orders]] and [[Marriage]] (Holy Matrimony).<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3E.HTM ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' 1210], The Vatican. Accessed 24 March 2007</ref> [[Protestantism|Protestant]] churches usually recognize only Baptism, and sometimes the Eucharist, as sacraments. The others may be considered religious ceremonies, but not sacraments.  

The ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' defines the sacraments as "perceptible signs (words and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace that they signify"<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s1c1a1.htm CCC 1084], The Vatican. Accessed 8 May 2016</ref>.  At the time of the [[Protestant Reformation]], Protestant churches held that five of the sacraments recognized by the Roman Catholic Church failed to meet one or more of those four tests established by the Catholic Church herself.

The ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' defines the sacraments as "perceptible signs (words and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace that they signify"<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s1c1a1.htm CCC 1084], The Vatican. Accessed 8 May 2016</ref>.  At the time of the [[Protestant Reformation]], Protestant churches held that five of the sacraments recognized by the Catholic Church failed to meet one or more of those four tests established by the Catholic Church herself.

For example, Matrimony was not a new practice at the time of Christ. Then too, Jesus does not appear to have authorized Holy Unction, although the anointing of the sick by church elders is mentioned in the [[New Testament]]. The [[Anglican]] Church's Articles of Religion contend that the Catholic doctrine of [[transubstantiation]] negates the sacramental character of the Sacrament of the Altar (the Eucharist) because if the bread and wine are rendered non-existent, as is claimed, there is no longer any physical component.

For example, Matrimony was not a new practice at the time of Christ. Then too, Jesus does not appear to have authorized Holy Unction, although the anointing of the sick by church elders is mentioned in the [[New Testament]]. The [[Anglican]] Church's Articles of Religion contend that the Catholic doctrine of [[transubstantiation]] negates the sacramental character of the Sacrament of the Altar (the Eucharist) because if the bread and wine are rendered non-existent, as is claimed, there is no longer any physical component.