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The '''Catholic Church''' is the largest [[Christianity|Christian]] denomination in the world, with over 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 '''Catholic Church''' is the largest [[Christianity|Christian]] denomination in the world, with over 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]], currently [[Pope Benedict XVI]]. 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]], currently [[Pope Benedict XVI]]. The Church teaches that the Pope is the successor of [[St. Peter]], whom Catholics regard as the original leader of Christ's [[apostle|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.
*[[Abbot]]s
*[[Abbot]]s
*[[Monsignor|Monsignori]]
*[[Monsignor|Monsignori]]
*[[Archpriest]]s
*[[Priest]]s
*[[Priest]]s
*[[Deacon]]s
*[[Deacon]]s
The term "catholic" (from the Greek ''katholikos'') means "universal", and its roots in ecclesiastical parlance go back to the early years of Christianity. Some Protestants believe that (Roman) Catholics do not have the right to monopolise the term, and so prefix it with the adjective "Roman". Some Catholics object to this nomenclature, precisely because it denies the status of the (Roman) Catholic Church as ''the'' universal Church of Christ. Historically speaking, the term "Roman Catholic" was coined in nineteenth-century Britain as a [[euphemism]] to replace insulting terms such as "papist" that had previously been in use.
The term "catholic" (from the Greek ''katholikos'') means "universal", and its roots in ecclesiastical parlance go back to the early years of Christianity. Some Protestants believe that (Roman) Catholics do not have the right to monopolise the term, and so prefix it with the adjective "Roman". Some Catholics object to this nomenclature, precisely because it denies the status of the (Roman) Catholic Church as ''the'' universal Church of Christ. Historically speaking, the term "Roman Catholic" was coined in nineteenth-century Britain as a [[euphemism]] to replace insulting terms such as "papist" that had previously been in use.
The Catholic Church is made up of thirty-one distinct branches or "rites", including the Byzantine Rite and the Maronite Rite. By far the largest Rite, and the most prevalent in the West, is the Latin Rite, and Catholics sometimes use the term "Roman Catholic" to denote this component of the Church.
The Catholic Church is made up of thirty-one distinct branches or "rites", including the Byzantine Rite, the Ambrosian Rice (only in [[Lombardy], an northern [[Italy|italian]] region)] and the Maronite Rite. By far the largest Rite, and the most prevalent in the West, is the Latin Rite, and Catholics sometimes use the term "Roman Catholic" to denote this component of the Church.
== History ==
== History ==
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 inquisitions such as the [[Spanish Inquisition]]
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]].
===Reformation===
===Reformation===
===Vatican II===
===Vatican II===
The [[Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican]] (commonly called [[Vatican II]]), which was in session from 1962 to 1965, made major changes to official Catholic theology and liturgy. Liturgical changes included the introduction of the possibility of having Mass in local languages instead of entirely in Latin. Theologically, the council continued the importance of [[Mary]] while also adding a new emphasis on individual and personal holiness. Most controversially, the council opened the possibility of salvation for Jews, Muslims and Protestants.
The [[Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican]] (commonly called [[Vatican II]]), which was in session from 1962 to 1965, made major changes to official Catholic theology and liturgy. Liturgical changes included the introduction of the possibility of having Mass in local languages instead of entirely in Latin. Theologically, the council continued the importance of [[Mary]] while also adding a new emphasis on individual and personal holiness. Most controversially, the council opened the possibility of salvation for Jews, Muslims, Protestants and Bahaists.
Reactions among Catholics to Vatican II fall into roughly three camps. "Liberal" Catholics, drawing on the established Catholic belief in the "journeying" nature of the Church, see Vatican II and the new period that it marked in Catholic history as representing a significant advancement in our understanding of the divine revelation contained in the [[Gospels]] which justifies major changes in Catholic belief and practice. "Conservative" Catholics (including the recent popes) hold that the decrees of the Council, properly understood, are wholly in line with the historic Catholic faith, and that they should not be used as an excuse for unwarranted innovations. "Traditional" (or "traditionalist") Catholics regard the teachings of Vatican II as problematic, or even as heretical.
Reactions among Catholics to Vatican II fall into roughly three camps. "Liberal" Catholics, drawing on the established Catholic belief in the "journeying" nature of the Church, see Vatican II and the new period that it marked in Catholic history as representing a significant advancement in our understanding of the divine revelation contained in the [[Gospels]] which justifies major changes in Catholic belief and practice. "Conservative" Catholics (including the recent popes) hold that the decrees of the Council, properly understood, are wholly in line with the historic Catholic faith, and that they should not be used as an excuse for unwarranted innovations. "Traditional" (or "traditionalist") Catholics regard the teachings of Vatican II as problematic, or even as heretical.