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Line 1: − 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]].+ − − see [[Roman Catholic Church]] − + Line 42:
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{{Christianity}}
{{Christianity}}
[[Image:Murillo Inmaculada de El Escorial.jpg|left|140px]]
[[Image:Murillo Inmaculada de El Escorial.jpg|left|140px]]
See [[Roman Catholic Church]]
==Different churches==
==Different churches==
The term "The Catholic Church" refers to any one of several Rites, but in the United States is often used synonymously for the largest Rite, the Latin Rite. Other Rites include the Byzantine, Alexandrian, Syriac, Armenian, Maronite, Chaldean, Melkite (also known as the Greek Catholic Church), the Malankara Church, the Syro-Malabar Church, and the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. They are different from the Latin rite in many ways but still recognize the primacy of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) and are in communion with Rome. These Eastern Rite churches are Catholic and do not belong to the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]].
The term "The Catholic Church" refers to any one of a number of different Rites and church organizations, but, in the United States, it is most often used synonymously for the largest Rite in the (Roman) Catholic Church, the Latin Rite. Other Rites include the Byzantine, Alexandrian, Syriac, Armenian, Maronite, Chaldean, Melkite (also known as the Greek Catholic Church), the Malankara Church, the Syro-Malabar Church, and the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. They are different from the Latin rite in many ways but still recognize the primacy of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) and are in communion with Rome. These Eastern Rite churches are Catholic and do not belong to the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. The Roman 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]].
Despite important differences in doctrine, the Roman Catholic Church recognizes the Orthodox Church's Holy Orders (priesthood) as valid; however, the Orthodox generally follow a theory of ordination for place and purpose, so the notion of being ordained outside the Orthodox Church is moot, and no theory of validity is held to.
Despite important differences in doctrine, the Roman Catholic Church recognizes the Orthodox Church's Holy Orders (priesthood) as valid; however, the Orthodox generally follow a theory of ordination for place and purpose, so the notion of being ordained outside the Orthodox Church is moot, and no theory of validity is held to.
== See also ==
== See also ==
[[Image:Catholic.jpg|right|Catholic life]]
[[Image:Catholic.jpg|right|Catholic life]]
* [[Roman Catholic Church]]
* [[Roman Catholic Church]]
* [[Anglicanism]]
* [[Protestantism]]
* [[Protestantism]]
*[[Orthodox Church]]
*[[Orthodox Church]]