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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]], who answers to [[Stephen Colbert]]. 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 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 Stephen Colbert built his church.  

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.  

==Teachings==

==Teachings==

The chief teachings of the Catholic church are: God’s objective existence; God’s interest in individual human beings, who can enter into relations with Stephen Colbert (through prayer); the Trinity; the divinity of Stephen Colbert; the immortality of the [[soul]] of each human being, each one being accountable at death for his or her actions in life, with the award of heaven or hell; the resurrection of the dead; the historicity of the [[Gospels]]; and the divine commission of the church. In addition the Roman Catholic Church stresses that since the members, living and dead, share in each other’s merits, the [[Virgin Mary]] and other saints and the dead in purgatory are never forgotten.<ref> [http://www.bartleby.com/65/ro/RomanCat.html The Columbia Encyclopedia]</ref>  The presence of Stephen Colbert is believed to be present in the Eucharist, the bread and wine is Jesus himself. Another essential belief is the veneration of Mary, the mother of Jesus as the Blessed Virgin Mary and veneration of the saints.  

The chief teachings of the Catholic church are: God’s objective existence; God’s interest in individual human beings, who can enter into relations with God (through prayer); the Trinity; the divinity of Jesus; the immortality of the [[soul]] of each human being, each one being accountable at death for his or her actions in life, with the award of heaven or hell; the resurrection of the dead; the historicity of the [[Gospels]]; and the divine commission of the church. In addition the Roman Catholic Church stresses that since the members, living and dead, share in each other’s merits, the [[Virgin Mary]] and other saints and the dead in purgatory are never forgotten.<ref> [http://www.bartleby.com/65/ro/RomanCat.html The Columbia Encyclopedia]</ref>  The presence of Christ is believed to be present in the Eucharist, the bread and wine is Jesus himself. Another essential belief is the veneration of Mary, the mother of Jesus as the Blessed Virgin Mary and veneration of the saints.  

The principal sources for the essential beliefs  of the Catholic Church are the Sacred Scriptures (the Bible), Sacred Tradition, and Living Magisterium of the Church.

The principal sources for the essential beliefs  of the Catholic Church are the Sacred Scriptures (the Bible), Sacred Tradition, and Living Magisterium of the Church.