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The '''Roman Catholic Church''', often referred to simply as the "Catholic Church", is the largest [[Christianity|Christian]] denomination in the world, with about one billion adherents.[http://www.adherents.com/adh_branches.html#Christianity] It comprises one of the three great divisions of Christianity, together with [[Protestantism]] and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodoxy]].

 

The '''Roman Catholic Church''', often referred to simply as the "Catholic Church", is the largest [[Christianity|Christian]] denomination in the world, with about one billion adherents.<ref>http://www.adherents.com/adh_branches.html#Christianity</ref> It comprises one of the three great divisions of Christianity, together with [[Protestantism]] and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodoxy]].

The Church consists of those Christians who are in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, who is generally called the [[Pope]]. The Church teaches that the Pope is the successor of [[St. Peter]], whom Catholics regard as the original leader of Christ's apostles and as the first Bishop of Rome.

The Church consists of those Christians who are in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, who is generally called the [[Pope]]. The Church teaches that the Pope is the successor of [[St. Peter]], whom Catholics regard as the original leader of Christ's apostles and as the first Bishop of Rome.

The Pope and the rest of the international leadership of the Church are based in [[Vatican City]] in Rome. Vatican City is an independent state in its own right, and is the smallest state in the world in terms both of geography and of population.

The Pope and the rest of the international leadership of the Church are based in [[Vatican City]] in Rome. Vatican City is an independent state in its own right, and is the smallest state in the world in terms both of geography and of population.

The split between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy dates to the eleventh century. The split between Catholicism and Protestantism occurred some time later, in the sixteenth century. It is generally known as the "[[Reformation]]", though Catholics sometimes refer to it as the "Protestant Revolt". The principal issues of contention between Catholics and Protestants are known as ''sola scriptura'' (the doctrine that the Bible alone is the final authority for Christians, which denies the authority of the Church) and ''sola fide'' (the doctrine, popularised by [[Martin Luther]], that faith alone, as opposed to faith expressed in good works, is sufficient for salvation).

The split between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy dates to the eleventh century. The split between Catholicism and Protestantism occurred some time later, in the sixteenth century. It is generally known as the "[[Reformation]]", though Catholics sometimes refer to it as the "Protestant Revolt". The principal issues of contention between Catholics and Protestants are known as ''sola scriptura'' (the doctrine that the Bible alone is the final authority for Christians, which denies the authority of the Church) and ''sola fide'' (the doctrine, popularized by [[Martin Luther]], that faith alone, as opposed to faith expressed in good works, is sufficient for salvation).

The Catholic Church has a complex hierachy of clergy, including the Pope, [[Cardinal]]s, [[Archbishop]]s, [[Bishop]]s, [[Abbot]]s, [[Monsignor|Monsignori]], [[Priest]]s and [[Deacon]]s.

The Catholic Church has a complex hierachy of clergy, including the Pope, [[Cardinal]]s, [[Archbishop]]s, [[Bishop]]s, [[Abbot]]s, [[Monsignor|Monsignori]], [[Priest]]s and [[Deacon]]s.

== History ==

== History ==

=== Early Years ===

=== Early Years ===

The Catholic Church traces its authority to Jesus through the apostle [[Peter]]. The Church sees the Bishops

The Catholic Church traces its authority to Jesus through the apostle [[Peter]]. The Church sees the Bishops

as the natural successors to the apostles, and reasons that since Peter was the leader of the apostles, Peter's

as the natural successors to the apostles, and reasons that since Peter was the leader of the apostles, Peter's

succesors should lead the Bishops and hence all of Christianity.[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2A.HTM]

successors should lead the Bishops and hence all of Christianity.<ref>http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2A.HTM</ref>

=== Catholic Growth in the Imperial Decline ===  

=== Catholic Growth in the Imperial Decline ===  

collapse of the Empire, the Catholic Church became the most powerful political and religious force in Europe and

collapse of the Empire, the Catholic Church became the most powerful political and religious force in Europe and

by the 8th century had achieved near total religious dominance with the removal of the last significant

by the 8th century had achieved near total religious dominance with the removal of the last significant

arian groups.

Arian groups.

=== Great Schism ===

=== Great Schism ===

During the 11th century, the [[Great Schism]] occured between the church in the West and [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. This schism occured over a variety of issues, especially those dealing with how much authority the Pope had. The causes were not purely religious, but cultural and geographic elements also played a role. Although later attempts at reconcilliation occured, such as at the [[Council of Basel]], the two remain separate to this day although both accept many of each others sacraments.

During the 11th century, the [[Great Schism]] occurred between the church in the West and [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. This schism occurred over a variety of issues, especially those dealing with how much authority the Pope had. The causes were not purely religious, but cultural and geographic elements also played a role. Although later attempts at reconciliation occurred, such as at the [[Council of Basel]], the two remain separate to this day although both accept many of each others sacraments.

=== Late Middle Ages ===

=== Late Middle Ages ===

Beginning in 1092 and continuing until the end of the 13th century, the Crusades occured. These were a series

Beginning in 1092 and continuing until the end of the 13th century, the Crusades occurred. These were a series

of religious wars instigated by the Church against various other groups, especially the Muslims. Despite the focus

of religious wars instigated by the Church against various other groups, especially the Muslims. Despite the focus

on removing Islamic control of the Holy Land, the Crusaders massacred Jews and sacked Constantinople.  

on removing Islamic control of the Holy Land, the Crusaders massacred Jews and sacked Constantinople.  

During this time period, the [[Inquisition]]s started and would continue through the Protestant Reformation.  

During this time period, the [[Inquisition]]s started and would continue through the Protestant Reformation.  

The medieval inquisition focused on rooting out Cathars, while the later inquistions such as the [[Spanish Inquistion]]

The medieval inquisition focused on rooting out Cathars, while the later inquisitions such as the [[Spanish Inquisition]]

focused on people who were believed to be secretly practicing Judaism or Islam.  

focused on people who were believed to be secretly practicing Judaism or Islam.