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{{Christianity}}

{{Christianity}}

The '''Catholic Church''', sometimes known informally as the '''Roman Catholic Church''', is a denomination of [[Christianity]] headquartered in [[Vatican City]]. The Catholics Church teaches the divinity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and worship the God of [[Abraham]]. The Catholic Church has a single leader, the [[pope]], the [[Bishop]] of [[Rome]]. The current pope is [[Pope Francis|Francis]]. Present day governance of the Church is divided hierarchically into dioceses, each overseen by a diocesan bishop, who in turn oversees diocesan priests and deacons on the level of the individual parish.

The '''Catholic Church''', sometimes known informally as the '''Roman Catholic Church''', is a denomination of [[Christianity]] headquartered in [[Vatican City]]. The Catholic Church teaches the divinity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and worship the God of [[Abraham]]. The Catholic Church has a single leader, the [[pope]], the [[Bishop]] of [[Rome]]. The current pope is [[Pope Francis|Francis]]. Present day governance of the Church is divided hierarchically into dioceses, each overseen by a diocesan bishop, who in turn oversees diocesan priests and deacons on the level of the individual parish.

The word "Catholic" means "universal." It's use as a name for the Church comes from Nicene-Constantinople Creed of 381, which defines the church as, "one, holy, catholic and apostolic." In the Christological controversy of the fourth century, Catholics opposed the heresy of [[Arianism]].   

The word "Catholic" means "universal." It's use as a name for the Church comes from Nicene-Constantinople Creed of 381, which defines the church as, "one, holy, catholic and apostolic." In the Christological controversy of the fourth century, Catholics opposed the heresy of [[Arianism]].   

The Protestants made the most radical break. Two of the principal issues raised by Protestants were

The Protestants made the most radical break. Two of the principal issues raised by Protestants were

''[[sola scriptura]],'' the doctrine that the Bible alone is the final authority for Christians (which is also a denial of the infallibility of Sacred Tradition, the Pope, and the infallibility of ecumenical Church councils) and ''sola fide,'' the doctrine popularized by [[Martin Luther]] that faith alone, as opposed to faith and good works both, is sufficient for salvation.

''[[sola scriptura]],'' the doctrine that the Bible alone is the final authority for Christians (which is also a denial of the infallibility of Sacred Tradition, the Pope, and the infallibility of ecumenical Church councils as being preserved and guided by [[Holy Spirit|God the Holy Spirit]] in fulfillment of John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:13) and ''sola fide,'' the doctrine popularized by [[Martin Luther]] that faith alone, as opposed to the need for both faith and good works together, is sufficient for salvation (a denial of the doctrine of James 2:14-26).

[[Image:Cathpop.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Catholics in the world.]]

[[Image:Cathpop.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Catholics in the world.]]