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{{Christianity}}

{{Christianity}}

The '''Roman Catholic Church''' is a denomination of [[Christianity]]. It has a single leader, the [[Bishop]] of [[Rome]], also known as the [[Pope]]; the current Pope is [[Pope Benedict XVI|Benedict XVI]].

The '''Roman Catholic Church''' is a denomination of [[Christianity]]. Roman Catholics believe in the [[christology|divinity of the person of Jesus Christ]], who is the Son of God, and worship the God of [[Abraham]]. The Roman Catholic Church has a single leader, the [[Bishop]] of [[Rome]], also known as the [[Pope]]; the current Pope is [[Pope Benedict XVI|Benedict XVI]]. Present day governance of the ministries of the Roman Catholic Church is divided hierarchically into Dioceses overseen by a Diocesan Bishop, who in turn oversees Diocesan priests and deacons on the level of the individual Church. 

Members believe that it is the oldest [[Christian]] denomination in the world. It is certainly the largest, with more than 1.3 billion officially baptized adherents, or 17.4% of the world's population; over 64 million of these are in the [[United States]]. In recent years growth has been greatest in Africa and Latin America, while the numbers and influence in Europe have declined.

Members believe that it is the oldest [[Christian]] denomination in the world. It is certainly the largest, with more than 1.3 billion officially baptized adherents, or 17.4% of the world's population; over 64 million of these are in the [[United States]]. 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 asserts that the Pope is the divinely-chosen successor of [[St. Peter]], the 'rock' ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 16:18) upon whom Jesus built his church. The Catholic Church consists of those Christians who are in full communion with the Pope, including "Uniate Catholics" in Eastern Europe who, strictly speaking, are not part of the "Roman" Church.

The Roman Catholic Church asserts that the Pope is the divinely-chosen successor of [[St. Peter]], the 'rock' ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 16:18) upon whom Jesus built his church. The Catholic Church consists of those Christians who are in full communion with the Pope, including "Uniate Catholics" in Eastern Europe who, strictly speaking, are not part of the "Roman" Church.

The term "Catholic Church" is, literally, the ''Universal Church'' of [[Jesus Christ]] (from the Greek ''katholikos'', "universal").

The term "Catholic Church" is, literally, the ''Universal Church'' of [[Jesus Christ]] (from the Greek ''καθολικός'', or ''katholikos'', meaning "universal").

The Roman Catholic Church has suffered several [[schism]]s over its history; most notably that with the [[Church of the East]] following the [[First Ephesian Council]], the several [[Oriental Orthodoxy|Oriental Orthodox]] churches following the [[Council of Chalcedon]], the [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox Church]] following the [[Great Schism]] of 1054, and the various [[Reformation]]s of the 16th century leading to the development of [[Protestantism]].

The Roman Catholic Church has suffered several [[schism]]s over its history; most notably that with the [[Church of the East]] following the [[First Ephesian Council]], the several [[Oriental Orthodoxy|Oriental Orthodox]] churches following the [[Council of Chalcedon]], the [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox Church]] following the [[Great Schism]] of 1054, and the various [[Reformation]]s of the 16th century leading to the development of [[Protestantism]].

==Teachings==

==Teachings==

[[Image:JpII.jpg|right|thumb|[[Pope John Paul II]] reigned 1978-2005]]

[[Image:JpII.jpg|right|thumb|[[Pope John Paul II]] reigned 1978-2005]]

The chief teachings of the Catholic church are:

The chief teachings of the Catholic church are set out in the [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]] in order to foster and promote the Profession of the Faith (first part), the Celebration of the Christian Mystery (second part), the Life in Christ (third part), and Christian Prayer (fourth part). They are:

* God’s objective existence.

* God’s objective existence.

* God’s interest in individual human beings, who can enter into relations with God (through prayer).

* God’s interest in individual human beings, who can enter into relations with God through direct and intercessory prayer and through the intercession of a priest ordained by Holy Order.

* The Trinity.

* The [[Holy Trinity]] and [[christology|divinity of the person of Jesus Christ]].

* 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 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 resurrection of the dead.

* The historicity of the [[Gospels]].

* The historicity of the [[Gospels]].

* The divine commission of the church.

* The divine commission of the church and infallibility of revealed scriptural interpretation.

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 very physical and spiritual body and blood of Christ are believed to be present in the Eucharist, [[Transubstantiation|the bread and wine being Jesus himself]], replacing the material of bread and wine. Another essential element of Catholic practice is the veneration of the Virgin Mary and the other saints. Catholics do not worship Mary or other saints but ask them to pray to God on their behalf. This is termed "intercession."

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 very physical and spiritual body and blood of Christ are believed to be present in the Eucharist, [[Transubstantiation|the bread and wine being Jesus himself]], replacing the material of bread and wine. Another essential element of Catholic practice is the veneration of the Virgin Mary and the other saints. Catholics do not worship Mary or other saints but ask them to pray to God on their behalf. This is termed "intercession."