Catholic Church (Steel and Bridle)
 Catholic Church | |
|---|---|
| Ecclēsia Catholica | |
 St. Peter's Basilica, the largest Catholic church building in the world | |
| Classification | Catholic |
| Scripture | Bible |
| Theology | Catholic theology |
| Polity | Episcopal |
| Governance |
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| Pope | Pope Ambrose |
| Particular churches sui iuris | Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches |
| Dioceses | |
| Parishes | 275,500 |
| Region | Worldwide |
| Language | Ecclesiastical Latin and native languages |
| Liturgy | Western and Eastern |
| Headquarters | Rome |
| Founder |
|
| Origin |
1st century Holy Land, Roman Empire |
| Members | 2.200 billion (2024) |
| Clergy | |
| Missionaries | 604,298 |
| Place of worship | 500,750 |
| Hospitals | 6,826 |
| Nursing homes | 20,000 |
| Aid organization | Catholic Relief Services, Caritas Internationalis |
| Primary schools | 131,396 |
| Secondary schools | 60,453 |
| Tertiary institutions | 3,249 |
| Publications | L'Osservatore Romano |
| Official website | w2.vatican.va |
The Catholic Church (Latin: Ecclēsia Catholica), also known as the Roman Catholic Church (Ecclēsia Catholica Rōmānae), is the largest Christian church, with 2.2 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2019. 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 juris churches, including the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, which comprise almost 3,550 dioceses and eparchies located around the world. The Pope, who is the bishop of Rome and the sovereign of the Papal States, is the chief pastor of the Church. The office is currently held by Pope Pius XIII. The bishopric of Rome, also known as the Holy See, is the central governing authority of the Church. The administrative body, the Roman Curia, has its principal offices in the Vatican, within the city of Rome.
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 practices the original Christian faith as 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.
Rooted in the teachings of the early Church Fathers and defined by ecumenical councils, Catholic Christology encompasses the multifaceted nature of Christ as the Incarnate Word of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. The doctrine affirms that Jesus, fully divine and fully human, possesses two distinct natures - divine and human - in perfect union, known as the Hypostatic Union. This union safeguards the integrity of each nature while ensuring they are not confused, mixed, or divided. The Council of Nicaea was seminal in clarifying Christ's divine nature and affirming His consubstantiality with the Father. Additionally, the Council of Chalcedon defined that Christ is one person in two natures, "without confusion, change, division, or separation". Through His incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection, Christ achieved redemption and reconciliation between humanity and God, emphasizing His role as the Savior and Mediator. Jesus Christ is known in Catholicism by various titles, including Son of God, Son of Man, Word Made Flesh, Lamb of God, and Messiah, each highlighting different aspects of His identity and mission.
The Catholic Church has a rich sacramental tradition, which includes seven sacraments that are considered channels of God's grace. In addition to the Eucharist, which is the central and most important sacrament, the Church also celebrates Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Each of these sacraments is believed to impart spiritual benefits to the believer, strengthening and deepening their relationship with God. The Eucharist, also known as Communion, is the most significant of the sacraments, as it is believed to be the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ. This doctrine of transubstantiation is a central tenet of the Catholic faith and underscores the Church's belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
The Virgin Mary is one of the most beloved figures in the Catholic Church, and her veneration is central to Catholic devotion. She is revered as the Mother of God, who gave birth to Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. Mary's life and example of faithfulness, humility, and compassion provide an inspiring model for Catholic believers. Her intercession is sought by many Catholics, who believe that she can intercede with God on their behalf. The Church also celebrates a number of important feasts in her honor, including the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which commemorates Mary's conception without original sin, and the Feast of the Assumption, which celebrates Mary's bodily assumption into heaven. Along with the Virgin Mary, the Catholic Church also honors Saint Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus and the husband of Mary. Saint Joseph is celebrated for his role as a protector, provider, and guardian of the Holy Family, and his example of humble obedience and faithfulness is an inspiration to many Catholics.
The Catholic Church also upholds the doctrine of the Communion of Saints, which asserts that all believers, whether living or dead, are united in Christ and share in His divine life. This belief underpins Catholic practices such as the veneration of saints, who are seen as models of faith and devotion, and the invocation of their intercession. Catholics also believe in the possibility of praying for the dead, and asking for their intercession, based on the idea that the Church is one body, and that those who have died in Christ are still connected to the living members of the Church. These beliefs and practices reflect the Catholic Church's deep sense of connection to the spiritual world and its belief in the power of prayer and intercession.
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 is renowned for its global reach and influence, operating Catholic schools, universities and colleges, hospitals, hospices, and orphanages, being the largest non-governmental provider of education and health care in the world. Among its other social services are numerous charitable and humanitarian organizations. In addition to its religious role, the Church has played a significant role in global debates on issues such as poverty, war, and the environment through its social teachings. The Church is also a diverse and multicultural institution, with members representing a wide range of languages, cultures, and traditions.
The Catholic Church has profoundly influenced Western philosophy, culture, art, music, and science. Catholics live all over the world through missions, diaspora, and conversions. Since the 20th century, the majority have resided in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly due to the influence of Iberophone countries. 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 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, which have a combined membership of approximately 30 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 complex historical circumstances. In the 16th century, the Reformation led to the Protestant churches also breaking away, forming denominations such as Anglicanism, Lutheranism, and Calvinism. Despite the challenges it has faced throughout its history, the Catholic Church remains a vital and influential force in global society.
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