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{{Christianity}}

{{Christianity}}

The '''Roman Catholic Church''' is the common name of the oldest, largest and most important Christian denomination.  Members are called "Catholics." It is headed by the [[Pope]] (Supreme Pontiff), currently [[Pope Benedict XVI]]. It is the largest [[Christian]] denomination in the world, with more than 1.3 billion officially baptized adherents, or 17.4 per cent of the world population (In the United States more than 64 million). The Roman Catholic Church is the oldest institution in the western world; it asserts that the Pope is the divinely-chosen successor of [[St. Peter]], the 'rock' ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matt]] 16:18) upon whom Jesus built his church.  

The '''Roman Catholic Church''' is the common name of the oldest, largest and most important Christian denomination.  Members are called "Catholics." It is headed by the [[Pope]] (Supreme Pontiff), currently [[Pope Benedict XVI]]. It is the largest [[Christian]] denomination in the world, with more than 1.3 billion officially baptized adherents, or 17.4 per cent of the world population (In the United States more than 64 million). In recent years growth has been greatest in Africa and Latin America, while the numbers and influence in Europe have declined.

 

 

The Roman Catholic Church is the oldest institution in the western world; it asserts that the Pope is the divinely-chosen successor of [[St. Peter]], the 'rock' ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matt]] 16:18) upon whom Jesus built his church.  

The split between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy dates to the eleventh century. The [[Reformation]] is the split between Catholicism and Protestantism that occurred in the sixteenth century. Two of the principal issues of contention between Catholics and Protestants are ''[[sola scriptura]]'' (the Protestant doctrine that the Bible alone is the final authority for Christians, which denies the authority of the Pope) 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 split between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy dates to the eleventh century. The [[Reformation]] is the split between Catholicism and Protestantism that occurred in the sixteenth century. Two of the principal issues of contention between Catholics and Protestants are ''[[sola scriptura]]'' (the Protestant doctrine that the Bible alone is the final authority for Christians, which denies the authority of the Pope) and ''sola fide'' (the doctrine, popularized by [[Martin Luther]], that faith alone, as opposed to faith expressed in good works, is sufficient for salvation).

==Organization==

==Organization==

The Pope and the the international leadership of the Church are based in [[Vatican City]], an independent tiny country located inside Rome, Italy.  

The Pope and the the international leadership of the Church are based in [[Vatican City]], an independent tiny country located inside Rome, Italy.  

The term Catholic is frequently applied to the Roman Catholic Church. Although many [[Protestantism|Protestant]]s object to Roman Catholics monopolizing the term, because the defined meaning of Catholic is "universal" and comes from the Greek word Katholikos. The Eastern [[Orthodox Church]] and [[Anglican Communion]] also refer to themselves as, "one holy, catholic, and apostolic church..."<ref>http://www.answers.com/topic/catholic</ref>  

The term Catholic is frequently applied to the Roman Catholic Church. Although many [[Protestantism|Protestant]]s object to Roman Catholics monopolizing the term, because the defined meaning of Catholic is "universal" and comes from the Greek word Katholikos. The Eastern [[Orthodox Church]] and [[Anglican Communion]] also refer to themselves as, "one holy, catholic, and apostolic church..."<ref>http://www.answers.com/topic/catholic</ref>  

== History ==

== History ==

After the collapse of the Western Empire, the Catholic Church became the most powerful political and religious force in Latin-speaking Europe and by the 8th century had achieved near total religious dominance with the removal of the last significant Arian groups.   

After the collapse of the Western Empire, the Catholic Church became the most powerful political and religious force in Latin-speaking Europe and by the 8th century had achieved near total religious dominance with the removal of the last significant Arian groups.   

Aggressive missionary activities accomplished the conversion of almost all the pagan tribes in Europe by the eyar 1000 AD.  

Aggressive missionary activities accomplished the conversion of almost all the pagan tribes in Europe by the year 1000 AD.  

=== Great Schism ===

=== Great Schism ===