In the United States, the phrase "Catholic church" is often a shortened name for the [[Roman Catholic church]], overwhelmingly the largest of the denominations calling themselves "Catholic." The Roman Catholic Church is, however, only the Western branch of the Catholic Church, which separated from the Eastern branches in the [[Great Schism]]. The Eastern branches do not have a single umbrella organization. They include the Eastern Orthodox Church and a number of Eastern Catholic Churches. | In the United States, the phrase "Catholic church" is often a shortened name for the [[Roman Catholic church]], overwhelmingly the largest of the denominations calling themselves "Catholic." The Roman Catholic Church is, however, only the Western branch of the Catholic Church, which separated from the Eastern branches in the [[Great Schism]]. The Eastern branches do not have a single umbrella organization. They include the Eastern Orthodox Church and a number of Eastern Catholic Churches. |