1. Historical Development and Influence
– Term ‘Catholic Church’ first used by Saint Ignatius of Antioch in 110 AD
– Largest Christian church with 1.378 billion baptized Catholics worldwide
– Core beliefs found in the Nicene Creed
– Influenced Western philosophy, culture, art, literature, music, law, and science
– Sponsor of various art styles in history like Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Mannerist, and Baroque
– First universities in Europe established by monks
– Conditions in the Roman Empire facilitated the spread of Christianity
– Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in 313
– The Age of Discovery expanded Catholicism globally
– Catholicism spread through missions, immigration, and colonialism
2. Apostolic Succession and Papal Authority
– New Testament records Jesus’ activities and appointment of Twelve Apostles
– Saint Peter considered first pope
– Apostolic succession believed to be passed down from Jesus’ apostles
– Pope is considered the successor of Saint Peter
– College of bishops led by the bishop of Rome are successors to the Apostles
– Christ designated Peter as the rock upon which the church will be built
– Emphasis on papal infallibility
– Papal authority reaffirmed in various councils
– Papal leadership played significant roles in historical events
– Challenges to papal authority and doctrinal teachings
3. Beliefs, Practices, and Social Impact
– Catholic Church teaches original Christian faith through scripture and sacred tradition
– Eucharist is principal sacrament celebrated in the Mass
– Virgin Mary is venerated as Perpetual Virgin, Mother of God, and Queen of Heaven
– Social teachings emphasize support for the sick, poor, and afflicted
– Church operates numerous charitable and humanitarian organizations
– Catholic missionaries supported European conquests
– Criticisms on teachings regarding sexuality and ordination of women
– Handling of sexual abuse cases and challenges faced in the 20th century
4. Schisms, Councils, and Reforms
– East-West Schism in 1054 separated Greek and Latin Churches
– Council of Trent led the Counter-Reformation
– Enlightenment questioned Catholic Church’s societal influence
– French Revolution shifted power from Church to state
– Various councils resolved schisms and reaffirmed Catholic teachings
– Challenges to papal authority and doctrinal teachings
– Reforms and controversies within the Church’s history
5. Global Expansion and Missions
– Spread of Christianity through missionaries, imperialism, and colonialism
– Catholic revival following the Napoleonic Wars
– Catholicism spread globally through missions, immigration, and conversions
– Challenges faced in the 20th century regarding doctrines and handling of abuse cases
– Catholic missions’ role in global expansion and criticisms faced in various regions
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.378 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2021.[update] It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a prominent role in the history and development of Western civilization. The church consists of 24 sui iuris churches, including the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, which comprise almost 3,500 dioceses and eparchies located around the world. The pope, who is the bishop of Rome, is the chief pastor of the church. The Diocese of Rome, known as the Holy See, is the central governing authority of the church. The administrative body of the Holy See, the Roman Curia, has its principal offices in Vatican City, a small independent city-state and enclave within the Italian capital city of Rome, of which the pope is head of state.
 Catholic Church | |
|---|---|
| Ecclesia Catholica | |
 St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the largest Catholic church building in the world | |
| Classification | Catholic |
| Scripture | Bible |
| Theology | Catholic theology |
| Polity | Episcopal |
| Governance | Holy See and Roman Curia |
| Pope | Francis |
| Particular churches sui iuris | Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches |
| Dioceses | |
| Parishes | 221,700 approx. |
| Region | Worldwide |
| Language | Ecclesiastical Latin and native languages |
| Liturgy | Western and Eastern |
| Headquarters | Vatican City |
| Founder |
|
| Origin | 1st century Judaea, Roman Empire |
| Separations | Protestantism |
| Members | 1.378 billion (2021) |
| Clergy | |
| Hospitals | 5,500 |
| Primary schools | 95,200 |
| Secondary schools | 43,800 |
| Official website | www |
The core beliefs of Catholicism are found in the Nicene Creed. The Catholic Church teaches that it is the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church founded by Jesus Christ in his Great Commission, that its bishops are the successors of Christ's apostles, and that the pope is the successor to Saint Peter, upon whom primacy was conferred by Jesus Christ. It maintains that it practises the original Christian faith taught by the apostles, preserving the faith infallibly through scripture and sacred tradition as authentically interpreted through the magisterium of the church. The Roman Rite and others of the Latin Church, the Eastern Catholic liturgies, and institutes such as mendicant orders, enclosed monastic orders and third orders reflect a variety of theological and spiritual emphases in the church.
Of its seven sacraments, the Eucharist is the principal one, celebrated liturgically in the Mass. The church teaches that through consecration by a priest, the sacrificial bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. The Virgin Mary is venerated as the Perpetual Virgin, Mother of God, and Queen of Heaven; she is honoured in dogmas and devotions. Catholic social teaching emphasizes voluntary support for the sick, the poor, and the afflicted through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The Catholic Church operates tens of thousands of Catholic schools, universities and colleges, hospitals, and orphanages around the world, and is the largest non-government provider of education and health care in the world. Among its other social services are numerous charitable and humanitarian organizations.
The Catholic Church has profoundly influenced Western philosophy, culture, art, literature, music, law, and science. Catholics live all over the world through missions, immigration, diaspora, and conversions. Since the 20th century, the majority have resided in the Southern Hemisphere, partially due to secularization in Europe and increased persecution in the Middle East. The Catholic Church shared communion with the Eastern Orthodox Church until the East–West Schism in 1054, disputing particularly the authority of the pope. Before the Council of Ephesus in AD 431, the Church of the East also shared in this communion, as did the Oriental Orthodox Churches before the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451; all separated primarily over differences in Christology. The Eastern Catholic Churches, who have a combined membership of approximately 18 million, represent a body of Eastern Christians who returned or remained in communion with the pope during or following these schisms for a variety of historical circumstances. In the 16th century, the Reformation led to the formation of separate, Protestant groups. From the late 20th century, the Catholic Church has been criticized for its teachings on sexuality, its doctrine against ordaining women, and its handling of sexual abuse cases involving clergy.
