Changes

The '''Roman Catholic Church''' is the Christian Church founded by [[Jesus Christ]], it's head.

The '''Roman Catholic Church''' is the largest Christian denomination in the world, with about one billion adherents.

The Roman Catholic Church consists of the Church Militant (laymen and clergy on Earth), the Church Suffering (the departed currently enduring purgatory for the purification of their souls), and the Church Triumphant (the saints reigning in Heaven with God).

[http://www.adherents.com/adh_branches.html#Christianity]

To be Catholic, one must be in full communion with the Bishop of Rome (more commonly

The Roman Catholic Church consists of those Christians in full communion with the Bishop of Rome (more commonly

called the [[Pope]]) and believe all the dogma and doctrine of the Catholic Faith (doctrine may be believe implicitly). The Church traces the papal authority as the leader of Christianity to the first Bishop of Rome, the apostle [[Peter]]. Unlike many [[Protestant]] religions, the Roman Catholic Church teaches against the heresies of ''sola scriptura'' and

called the [[Pope]]). The Church traces the papal authority as the leader of Christianity to the first Bishop of Rome, the apostle [[Peter]]. Unlike many [[Protestant]] churches, the Roman Catholic Church is not ''sola scriptura'' or

''sola fides''. The Church believes that both faith and works are necessary for salvation and that tradition and reason must be used to aide interpretation of the Bible, which, being Divine Word, requires her (the Church) as a divine interpretor. The church has a complex hierachy of clergy involving

''sola fides''. The Church believes that both faith and works are necessary for salvation and that tradition and reason should be used to aide interpretation of the Bible. The church has a complex hierachy of clergy involving

[[priests]], [[bishops]], [[archbishops]] and [[cardinals]].

[[priests]], [[bishops]], [[archbishops]] and [[cardinals]].

=== Early Years ===

=== Early Years ===

The Catholic Church traces its authority to Jesus through the apostle [[Peter]]. Bishops are the natural successors to the apostles, and reasons that since Peter was the leader of the apostles, Peter's succesors should lead the Bishops and hence all of Christianity.[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2A.HTM]

The Catholic Church traces its authority to Jesus through the apostle [[Peter]]. The Church sees the Bishops

as the natural successors to the apostles, and reasons that since Peter was the leader of the apostles, Peter's

succesors should lead the Bishops and hence all of Christianity.[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2A.HTM]

=== Catholic Growth in the Imperial Decline ===  

=== Catholic Growth in the Imperial Decline ===  

[[Theodosius I]] established the Catholic Church as the official religion of the Roman Empire. As the Empire  

[[Theodosius I]] established the Catholic Church as the official religion of the Roman Empire. As the Empire  

continued to decline Catholicism and Christianity continued to grow both among those under directly under the Empire

continued to decline Catholicism and Christianity continued to grow both among those under directly under the Empire

and among the barbarians. Rome was sacked by [[Alaric]], an adherent of the Arian heresy, in 410. After the

and among the barbarians. When Rome was sacked by [[Alaric]] in 410, Alaric was an Arian Christian. After the

collaspse of the Empire, the Catholic Church became the most powerful political and religious force in Europe and

collaspse of the Empire, the Catholic Church became the most powerful political and religious force in Europe and

by the 8th century had achieved near total religious dominance.

by the 8th century had achieved near total religious dominance with the removal of the last significant

arian groups.

=== Great Schism ===

=== Great Schism ===

In 1517, [[Martin Luther]] started the [[Protestant Reformation]] which initially focused on the giving of  

In 1517, [[Martin Luther]] started the [[Protestant Reformation]] which initially focused on the giving of  

[[indulgences]] but eventually grew to have a wide variety of different causes and issues. Eventually

[[indulgences]] but eventually grew to have a wide variety of different causes and issues. Eventually

Protestants rejected the doctrines and dogmas of saintly intercession, the authority of the pope and many of the sacraments.

Protestants rejected the notions of saintly intercession, the authority of the pope and many of the sacraments.

This eventually led to a series of religious wars in Europe the Protestant-Catholic split became one of the dominant

This eventually led to a series of religious wars in Europe the Protestant-Catholic split became one of the dominant

themes in European events until modern times.  

themes in European events until modern times.  

===Vatican II===

===Vatican II===

In the early 1960s, a new sect of Christianity was started by the so-called [[Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican]] (commonly called [[Vatican II]]) purported to make major changes to official Catholic theology and liturgy over the course of three years. Liturgical changes included the ability

In the early 1960s, the [[Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican]] (commonly called [[Vatican II]]) made major changes to official Catholic theology and liturgy over the course of three years. Liturgical changes included the ability

to incorporate local languages into the liturgy and not have services completely in the traditional [[Latin]]. Theologically,

to incorporate local languages into the liturgy and not have services completely in the traditional [[Latin]]. Theologically,

the council continued the importance of [[Mary]] while also adding a new emphasis on individual and personal

the council continued the importance of [[Mary]] while also adding a new emphasis on individual and personal

holiness. The council also denied the traditional condemnation of the Jews for the death of Christ.  

holiness. The council also removed the traditional condemnation of the Jews for the death of Christ.  

Most controversially, the council opened the possibility of salvation for Jews, Muslims and Protestants.

Most controversially, the council opened the possibility of salvation for Jews, Muslims and Protestants. Many Catholics

Due to Church infiltration by Communists, Jews, and Free Masons, many faithful were deceived into believing Vatican II to be a Catholic council when it in fact was just a repetition of the Protestant Reformation in better diguise.

reacted negatively to Vatican II and the Church is still dealing with its repercussions.

As a result, the adherents to the Vatican II sect (also known as Conciliarist) continue to this day to claim to be Catholic despite either denial of necessary aspects of the Faith, adherence to the heretical antipope Benedict XVI, or both.

==Sacraments==

==Sacraments==

The Roman Catholic Church has seven sacraments given to her by [[Jesus Christ]]: [[Baptism]], [[Confirmation]], [[Eucharist]], [[Penance]],

The Roman Catholic Church has seven sacraments, [[Baptism]], [[Confirmation]], [[Eucharist]], [[Penance]],

[[Unction]], [[Matrimony]] and [[Holy Orders]].

[[Unction]], [[Matrimony]] and [[Holy Orders]].

[[Category:Religion]]

[[Category:Religion]]