Catholic Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids  Catholic Church |
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| Ecclesia Catholica | |
St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the largest Catholic church building in the world
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| 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 |
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| Parishes | 221,700 approx. |
| Region | Worldwide |
| Language | Ecclesiastical Latin and native languages |
| Liturgy | Western and Eastern |
| Headquarters | Vatican City |
| Founder |
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| Origin | 1st century Judaea, Roman Empire |
| Separations | Protestantism |
| Members | 1.39 billion (2022) |
| Clergy |
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| Hospitals | 5,500 |
| Primary schools | 95,200 |
| Secondary schools | 43,800 |
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church in the world. As of 2022, it has 1.39 billion members who have been baptized. It is one of the oldest and biggest international organizations. It has played a very important part in the history and growth of Western civilization. The church is made up of 24 different parts called sui iuris churches. These include the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches. Together, they have almost 3,500 dioceses and eparchies located all over the world.
The pope, who is the bishop of Rome, is the main leader of the church. The Diocese of Rome, known as the Holy See, is the central place where the church is governed. The main offices of the Holy See are in Vatican City. This is a small, independent city-state inside Rome, and the pope is its head of state.
The main beliefs of Catholicism are found in the Nicene Creed. The Catholic Church teaches that it is the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. It believes Jesus Christ started it when he gave his Great Commission to his followers. The church teaches that its bishops are the successors of Christ's apostles. It also believes the pope is the successor to Saint Peter, who Jesus chose as a special leader. The church says it practices the original Christian faith taught by the apostles. It believes it keeps this faith perfectly through the Bible and sacred tradition. The church's teaching authority, called the magisterium, helps interpret these.
The Roman Rite and other Latin Church rites, the Eastern Catholic liturgies, and groups like mendicant orders and monastic orders show the many different ways of thinking and spiritual practices in the church.
Of its seven sacraments, the Eucharist is the most important. It is celebrated during the Mass. The church teaches that when a priest says special prayers, the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. The Virgin Mary is highly respected as the Perpetual Virgin, Mother of God, and Queen of Heaven. She is honored in church teachings and special prayers. Catholic social teaching encourages helping the sick, the poor, and those in need. The Catholic Church runs many schools, universities, hospitals, and orphanages worldwide. It is the largest non-government provider of education and health care. It also has many charities and humanitarian groups.
The Catholic Church has greatly influenced Western philosophy, culture, art, literature, music, law, and science. Catholics live all over the world because of missions, immigration, and conversions. Since the 1900s, most Catholics live in the Southern Hemisphere. This is partly because of less religious practice in Europe and more persecution in the Middle East. The Catholic Church was in full agreement with the Eastern Orthodox Church until they split in 1054. This split was mainly about the authority of the pope. Other churches, like the Church of the East and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, also separated earlier. The Eastern Catholic Churches, with about 18 million members, are Eastern Christians who stayed in or returned to agreement with the pope. In the 1500s, the Reformation led to the creation of Protestant groups.
The Name of the Church
Catholic comes from a Greek word meaning "universal." It was first used to describe the church in the early 100s AD. Saint Ignatius of Antioch used the phrase "the catholic church" around 110 AD. He said that where the bishop is, there the universal church is. Later, Saint Cyril of Jerusalem used the name "Catholic Church" to tell it apart from other groups. In 380 AD, Emperor Theodosius I made Nicene Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.
After the East–West Schism in 1054, the Eastern Orthodox Church started using the name Orthodox. Its full name is still the Orthodox Catholic Church. The Latin Church was called Catholic after the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s. Those who separated from it became known as Protestants.
The name Roman Catholic Church has been used in English since the late 1500s. Sometimes, people use "Roman Catholic" to talk about the Latin Church, to distinguish it from the Eastern Catholic churches. The official name used in church documents, like the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1990) and the Code of Canon Law (1983), is Catholic Church.
History of the Catholic Church
Early Times and the Pope
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The New Testament tells us about Jesus' life and teachings. It describes how he chose his Twelve Apostles and told them to continue his work. The book of Acts of Apostles talks about how the Christian church began and spread in the Roman Empire. The Catholic Church teaches that its public work started on Pentecost. This was fifty days after Jesus was believed to have risen from the dead. At Pentecost, the apostles are believed to have received the Holy Spirit, which prepared them to lead the church. The Catholic Church teaches that the group of bishops, led by the bishop of Rome (the pope), are the successors to the Apostles.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus calls Peter the "rock" on which his church will be built. The Catholic Church believes the bishop of Rome, the pope, is the successor to Saint Peter. Some scholars believe Peter was the first bishop of Rome. Others say the idea of the papacy doesn't depend on Peter being a bishop in Rome. Many scholars think that in Rome, there were many leaders (presbyters/bishops) until the mid-100s AD. After that, one bishop led with many presbyters. Later writers then called the main leaders from earlier times, and even Peter himself, "bishop of Rome."
Ancient Rome and the Empire
It was easy for new ideas to spread in the Roman Empire. The empire had many roads and waterways, making travel safe. The Pax Romana (Roman Peace) helped a common culture with Greek roots spread. This made it easier for people to share and understand ideas.
However, unlike most religions in the Roman Empire, Christianity asked its followers to worship only one God. Christians would not join in pagan celebrations. This meant they could not take part in much of public life. Non-Christians and government leaders worried that Christians were making the gods angry, which could threaten the empire's peace. The persecutions of Christians were a big part of their identity until Christianity became legal in the 300s AD.
In 313 AD, Emperor Constantine I made Christianity legal with the Edict of Milan. In 330 AD, Constantine moved the capital to Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey). In 380 AD, the Edict of Thessalonica made Nicene Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. This continued in the Byzantine Empire until it ended in 1453. In other places, the church became independent from the empire, especially after the East–West Schism. During this time, five main church centers grew: Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Alexandria.
Most of the Germanic tribes who invaded the Roman Empire later became Christians. But they followed a form of Christianity called Arianism, which was considered heresy. This caused religious problems between the Germanic rulers and their Catholic subjects. But in 497 AD, Clovis I, the Frankish ruler, converted to orthodox Catholicism. This made him an ally of the pope and the monasteries. The Visigoths in Spain followed in 589 AD, and the Lombards in Italy in the 600s AD.
Western Christianity, especially through its monasteries, helped save classical civilization, including its art and writing. Benedict of Nursia (around 480–543 AD), who started Western monasticism, greatly influenced European culture. Monasteries helped keep and share ancient knowledge. During this time, Ireland became a center of learning. Early Irish missionaries like Columbanus and Columba spread Christianity and started monasteries across Europe.
Middle Ages and Renaissance
The Catholic Church was the most important influence on Western civilization from ancient times to the modern age. It supported Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Mannerist, and Baroque art, architecture, and music. Many famous artists like Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci were supported by the church. Historian Paul Legutko said the Catholic Church is "at the center of the development of the values, ideas, science, laws, and institutions which constitute what we call Western civilization".
In Western Europe, the first universities were started by monks. From the 1000s, old cathedral schools became universities, like the University of Oxford, University of Paris, and University of Bologna. Before this, higher education was mostly in Christian cathedral schools or monastic schools, run by monks and nuns. These new universities added more subjects, including programs for priests, lawyers, and doctors. The university as we know it today generally started in the Medieval Christian setting.
In the mid-600s, large Islamic invasions began a long struggle between Christianity and Islam. The Byzantine Empire lost lands in the East and was reduced to its capital, Constantinople. Because Islam controlled the Mediterranean Sea, the Frankish state, away from the sea, became the main power in Western Europe. Battles like Toulouse and Poitiers stopped the Islamic advance in the West. The failed siege of Constantinople stopped it in the East. In 751, the Byzantine Empire lost Ravenna to the Lombards. This meant the pope had to find a new protector. In 754, Pepin the Short, the Frankish king, conquered the Lombards. He then gave the lands of the former exarchate to the pope, starting the Papal States.
In the 1000s, Hildebrand of Sovana helped create the College of Cardinals to elect new popes. This system is still used today. Pope Gregory VII also started reforms to make the clergy more independent from rulers. This led to the Investiture Controversy, a fight between the church and the Holy Roman Emperors over who could appoint bishops and popes.
In 1095, the Byzantine emperor asked Pope Urban II for help against Muslim invasions. This led Urban to start the First Crusade to help the Byzantine Empire and take back the Holy Land. In the 1000s, problems between the Greek (Eastern) and Latin (Western) churches led to the East–West Schism. The Fourth Crusade and the attack on Constantinople by crusaders caused the final break. During this time, large Gothic cathedrals were built in France, showing people's pride in their Christian faith.
In the early 1200s, new religious groups called mendicant orders were started by Francis of Assisi and Dominic de Guzmán. These groups played a big part in turning church schools into important universities. Thinkers like Thomas Aquinas studied and taught at these schools. His book Summa Theologica combined ancient Greek ideas with Christian teachings.
The 1300s saw more conflicts between the church and states. To avoid problems in Rome, Clement V moved the pope's home to Avignon in southern France in 1309. This period is known as the Avignon Papacy. It ended in 1376 when the pope returned to Rome. But then came the Western Schism (1378-1417), with different people claiming to be pope in Rome, Avignon, and Pisa. This was mostly solved at the Council of Constance in 1415–17.
In 1438, the Council of Florence tried to reunite the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Several Eastern churches did reunite, forming most of the Eastern Catholic Churches.
Age of Exploration
The Age of Discovery started in the 1400s. During this time, Western Europe's influence spread worldwide. Because Spain and Portugal were strong Catholic nations and led in exploration, Catholicism spread to the Americas, Asia, and Oceania. Explorers, conquerors, and missionaries brought the faith. Pope Alexander VI gave Spain and Portugal rights over newly found lands. This system allowed state leaders, not the Vatican, to control church appointments in the new colonies. In 1521, the explorer Ferdinand Magellan made the first Catholic converts in the Philippines. Elsewhere, Portuguese missionaries like Francis Xavier spread Christianity in India, China, and Japan. French colonization in the Americas starting in the 1500s created a Catholic French-speaking population. Non-Catholics were not allowed to settle in Quebec.
Reformation and Counter-Reformation
In 1415, Jan Hus was executed for his reform ideas. His efforts inspired Martin Luther, a friar in Germany. In 1517, Luther shared his Ninety-five Theses, which questioned certain Catholic teachings and practices. This led to his excommunication in 1521. In Switzerland, Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin, and other Protestant Reformers also criticized Catholic teachings. These challenges led to the Reformation, which created most of the Protestant Christian groups. Meanwhile, Henry VIII of England asked Pope Clement VII to cancel his marriage. When this was denied, he made himself the head of the Church of England, starting the English Reformation and leading to Anglicanism.
The Reformation caused conflicts between Protestant groups and Catholic leaders. The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) was a very serious conflict. In France, the French Wars of Religion (1562-1598) were fought between French Protestants and Catholics. This ended in 1598 when King Henry IV allowed Protestants civil and religious freedom.
The Council of Trent (1545–1563) was the main force behind the Counter-Reformation. This was the Catholic Church's response to the Protestant movement. The Council confirmed important Catholic teachings, like the belief that bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. It also stressed that both love and faith are needed for salvation. In the centuries that followed, Catholicism spread widely around the world, partly through missionaries. However, its influence in Europe lessened due to the growth of religious scepticism during and after the Enlightenment.
Enlightenment and Modern Times
From the 1600s, the Enlightenment questioned the Catholic Church's power in Western society. In the 1700s, writers like Voltaire criticized religion and the church. The French Revolution in 1789 changed power to the state. Churches were destroyed, and some nuns were killed during the Reign of Terror. In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte's general invaded Italy and imprisoned Pope Pius VI. Napoleon later brought the Catholic Church back to France. After the Napoleonic Wars, Catholicism saw a revival, and the Papal States returned.
In 1854, Pope Pius IX declared the Immaculate Conception as a church teaching. In 1870, the First Vatican Council confirmed the teaching of papal infallibility. This means the pope cannot be wrong when he makes certain official statements about faith or morals. This led to a group called the Old Catholic Church separating.
The Italian unification in the 1860s took over the Papal States, including Rome, by 1870. This ended the pope's power as a ruler. Pope Pius IX refused to accept this and became a "prisoner in the Vatican". This problem was solved in 1929 by the Lateran Treaties. The Holy See recognized Italy's control over the former Papal States. In return, Italy recognized Vatican City as a new, independent state ruled by the pope.
Catholic missionaries generally supported European powers' conquest of Africa in the late 1800s. Historian Adrian Hastings said Catholic missionaries were often less willing to defend African rights than Protestant missionaries.
20th Century
In the 1900s, the church continued to grow worldwide. Popes Benedict XV and Pius XII tried to stay neutral during the World Wars. They worked for peace and helped war victims. In the 1960s, Pope John XXIII called the Second Vatican Council. This council brought big changes to church practices. It allowed Mass to be said in local languages and encouraged people to take a more active part in services. It aimed to connect the church more with the modern world. Later, Pope John Paul II's long time as pope helped lead to the fall of communism in Europe.
Pope Pius X (1903–1914) made the papal office more independent. His successors, Benedict XV (1914–1922) and Pius XI (1922–1939), made the Vatican State independent within Italy. Pope Pius XI also appointed many local bishops and signed agreements with fifteen countries.
His successor, Pope Pius XII, led the Catholic Church through World War II and the early Cold War. He tried to keep the Vatican neutral and set up aid networks. He also secretly helped the resistance against Hitler and shared information with the Allies. His first encyclical (letter) in 1939 spoke against racism. He expressed concern about killings on Vatican Radio and tried to stop Nazi deportations of Jews. In every country under German occupation, priests played a major role in saving Jews. Historian Pinchas Lapide estimated that Catholics saved between 700,000 and 860,000 Jews during the Holocaust.
The Nazis persecuted the Catholic Church most intensely in Poland. Catholic resistance took many forms. About 2,579 Catholic clergy were sent to concentration camps, including 400 Germans. Thousands of priests, nuns, and brothers were imprisoned, tortured, and killed.
The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) brought the biggest changes to Catholic practices in four centuries. It allowed the Mass to be said in the vernacular (local language). It also encouraged "fully conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations." The council aimed to connect the church more closely with the present world. It also led to better relations with other Christian groups and non-Christian religions, especially Judaism.
In 1978, Pope John Paul II became the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. His time as pope was one of the longest in history. He is credited with helping to speed up the fall of communism in Europe. John Paul II traveled more than any other pope, visiting 129 countries. He used television and radio to spread the church's teachings.
21st Century
Pope Benedict XVI, elected in 2005, was known for supporting traditional Christian values. He resigned in 2013 due to old age, becoming the first pope to do so in almost 600 years. Pope Francis, the current pope, was elected in 2013. He is the first pope from the Americas and the first from outside Europe since the 700s. Francis has worked to improve relations with the Orthodox Churches. In 2016, he met with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the largest Eastern Orthodox church. This was the first high-level meeting between the two churches since the Great Schism of 1054. In 2017, Pope Francis and the Coptic Orthodox Church agreed to recognize each other's baptisms.
How the Church is Organized
The Catholic Church is led by bishops. Bishops have received the sacrament of Holy Orders. They oversee a geographic area called a diocese or eparchy. There are three levels of clergy: bishops, priests, and deacons. Priests are ordained by bishops and work in local dioceses or religious orders. Deacons help bishops and priests in many roles. The entire Catholic Church is led by the bishop of Rome, known as the pope. His area of authority is called the Holy See.
Besides the diocesan structure, there are many religious institutes. These groups often work independently, usually reporting only to the pope, though sometimes to the local bishop. Most religious institutes have only male or female members, but some have both. Also, lay members (people who are not clergy) help with many parts of worship services. The Catholic Church has been called the oldest multinational organization in the world.
The Holy See, Pope, and Cardinals
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The Catholic Church's leadership is headed by the pope, currently Pope Francis. He was elected on March 13, 2013. The Catholic Church believes that Christ started the papacy when he gave the keys of Heaven to Saint Peter. The pope's church authority is called the Holy See. The Roman Curia is the central group that helps the pope manage the daily work of the Catholic Church.
The pope is also the ruler of Vatican City. This is a small city-state completely surrounded by Rome. The Holy See is separate from Vatican City. It is as head of the Holy See that the pope receives ambassadors from countries and sends his own diplomatic representatives.
While the famous Saint Peter's Basilica is in Vatican City, the pope's main church for the Diocese of Rome is the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. This church is in Rome but has special privileges as part of the Holy See.
A cardinal is an honorary title given by popes to certain clergy. These include leaders in the Roman Curia, bishops in major cities, and important theologians. The pope can ask the College of Cardinals for advice and help in governing.
When a pope dies or resigns, cardinals under age 80 meet in a papal conclave to elect a new pope. Any Catholic man can be elected pope, but since 1389, only cardinals have been chosen.
Church Law (Canon Law)
Catholic canon law is the system of rules and principles made by the Catholic Church's leaders. It helps organize the church and guide Catholics in their mission. The canon law of the Latin Church was the first modern Western legal system. It is the oldest continuously working legal system in the West. The 23 Eastern Catholic Churches have their own specific traditions of Eastern Catholic canon law.
Church laws are based on divine law or natural law. Universal laws get their authority from the pope, who has all legislative, executive, and judicial power. Local laws get their authority from other church leaders. Canon law covers not just beliefs but all parts of human life. It has laws, courts, lawyers, judges, and punishments.
Canon law is different from civil law (government law). It only gives power to civil law in specific cases, like protecting children. Similarly, civil law may give power to canon law, but only in specific cases, like with church marriages. Currently, the 1983 Code of Canon Law is used for the Latin Church. The 1990 Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches applies to the Eastern Catholic Churches.
Latin and Eastern Churches
In the first thousand years of Catholic history, different types of Christianity grew in Western and Eastern Christian areas. Even though most Eastern churches are no longer in communion with the Catholic Church after the East–West Schism of 1054, 23 independent Eastern Catholic Churches are part of the Catholic communion. These are called "churches sui iuris" (meaning "of their own right"). The largest and most well-known is the Latin Church. It is the only Western-tradition church and has over 1 billion members worldwide. The 23 self-governing Eastern Catholic Churches have about 17.3 million members.
The Latin Church is led by the pope and bishops he appoints. The pope has a direct leadership role over the Latin Church. This church is considered the original and main part of Western Christianity. It has certain beliefs and customs that started in Europe and Northwest Africa. Many Christian denominations that came from the Protestant Reformation also share some of these.
The Eastern Catholic Churches follow the traditions of Eastern Christianity. These churches have either always been in full communion with the Catholic Church or have rejoined it after past divisions. These churches are groups of Catholic Christians whose ways of worship show different historical and cultural influences, not differences in belief. The pope's recognition of Eastern Catholic Churches has sometimes caused problems in relations with the Eastern Orthodox and other Eastern churches. In the past, there was pressure to make Eastern Catholic traditions more like Western ones. However, the Second Vatican Council document, Orientalium Ecclesiarum, confirmed that Eastern Catholics have the right to keep their own worship practices.
A church sui iuris is defined as a "group of Christian faithful united by a hierarchy" that the pope recognizes as the highest authority on church teachings. The Eastern Catholic Churches are in full communion with the pope. But they have their own leadership structures and worship traditions, separate from the Latin Church.
Some Eastern Catholic churches are led by a patriarch. He is elected by the bishops of that church. Others are led by a major archbishop or a metropolitan. Each church has authority over its own organization, worship rites, and other spiritual practices. They are only subject to the pope's authority. The Roman Curia has a special department to work with them. The pope usually does not appoint bishops or clergy in the Eastern Catholic Churches. He lets their own internal structures handle it, but he can step in if he thinks it is necessary.
Dioceses, Parishes, and Groups
Catholicism map Individual countries, regions, and major cities have particular churches called dioceses in the Latin Church or eparchies in the Eastern Catholic Churches. Each is led by a bishop. As of 2021, the Catholic Church has 3,171 dioceses worldwide. The bishops in a country are part of a national or regional group called an episcopal conference.
Dioceses are divided into parishes. Each parish has one or more priests, deacons, or lay ministers. Parishes are responsible for celebrating the sacraments and caring for the people. As of 2016, there are 221,700 parishes worldwide.
In the Latin Church, Catholic men can become deacons or priests by receiving ordination. Men and women can serve as special ministers of Holy Communion, as readers, or as altar servers. Historically, only boys and men could be altar servers. However, since the 1990s, girls and women have also been allowed.
Ordained Catholics and lay members can choose a consecrated life. This can be as an individual, like a hermit or consecrated virgin. Or they can join a religious group where they take vows to follow chastity, poverty, and obedience. Examples of these groups are the Benedictines, the Carmelites, the Dominicans, and the Franciscans.
The Catholic Church is the largest non-government provider of education and health care in the world.
Membership
| Where Catholics Live (2021) | ||||
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| Americas | 48.0% | |||
| Europe | 20.9% | |||
| Africa | 19.3% | |||
| Asia | 11.0% | |||
| Oceania | 0.8% | |||
As of 2020, Catholicism is the second-largest religious group in the world after Sunni Islam. At the end of 2021, there were 1.378 billion baptized Catholics. This is about 17.67% of the world's population. Brazil has the most Catholics, followed by Mexico, the Philippines, and the United States. Catholics make up about half of all Christians.
The number of Catholics in different parts of the world is changing. In 2021, 19.3% were in Africa, 48.0% in the Americas, 11.0% in Asia, 20.9% in Europe, and 0.8% in Oceania.
Catholic ministers include ordained clergy, lay ministers, missionaries, and catechists (teachers of faith). At the end of 2021, there were 462,388 ordained clergy. This included 5,353 bishops, 407,730 priests, and 50,150 deacons. There were also 3,157,568 catechists and 367,679 lay missionaries.
Catholics who have chosen a religious or consecrated life, instead of marriage, include 49,414 men and 599,228 women. These are not ordained clergy.
What Catholics Believe (Doctrine)
Catholic beliefs have grown over centuries. They come from the direct teachings of early Christians, official definitions of beliefs by church councils, and discussions by scholars. The church believes it is always guided by the Holy Spirit. It is protected from making mistakes in its teachings when it makes a firm decision on a matter.
The church teaches that God is the source of all revelation. This revelation comes in two ways: the Bible and Sacred Tradition. The church's teaching authority, the Magisterium, interprets these. The Bible has 73 books: 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Sacred Tradition includes teachings believed to have been passed down since the time of the Apostles. The Bible and Sacred Tradition are together called the "deposit of faith." The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes Catholic beliefs.
Nature of God
The Catholic Church believes there is one eternal God. This God exists as three "persons": God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. Together, they are called the "Holy Trinity."
Catholics believe Jesus Christ is the "Second Person" of the Trinity. In an event called the Incarnation, God became human through the conception of Christ in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. So, Christ is understood as being both fully divine and fully human. Christ's mission on earth included teaching people and giving them an example to follow, as told in the four Gospels. Jesus is believed to have lived without sin. He allowed himself to be unfairly executed by crucifixion. This was a sacrifice to bring humanity back to God. This is called the Paschal Mystery. The word "Christ" and the Hebrew "Messiah" both mean "anointed one." This refers to the Christian belief that Jesus' death and resurrection fulfill the prophecies in the Old Testament.
The Catholic Church teaches that "the Holy Spirit comes eternally from the Father and the Son." This belief is expressed in the Filioque clause, which was added to the Latin version of the Nicene Creed.
Nature of the Church
The Catholic Church teaches that it is the "one true church" and "the one true religion." It is described in the Nicene Creed as the "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church." These are known as the Four Marks of the Church. The church teaches that its founder is Jesus Christ. The New Testament records events important to the church's beginning. These include Jesus' teachings and his appointment of the apostles. The Great Commission told the apostles to continue his work. The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is seen as the start of the Catholic Church's public ministry. The church teaches that all properly chosen bishops are direct successors of Christ's apostles. The Bishop of Rome (the pope) is considered the successor to Simon Peter. This is where his supremacy over the church comes from.
Catholic belief holds that the church "is the continuing presence of Jesus on earth." It believes it has the full means of salvation. Through Christ's suffering and crucifixion, he made a sacrifice to bring humanity back to God. His Resurrection of Jesus makes him the first to rise from the dead. By returning to God and following Christ's words, a person can enter the Kingdom of God. The church sees its worship and sacraments as ways to continue the grace from Christ's sacrifice. This strengthens a person's relationship with Christ and helps overcome sin.
Final Judgment
The Catholic Church teaches that right after death, each person's soul will be judged by God. This judgment is based on their sins and their relationship with Christ. The church also teaches that there will be another day when Christ will judge all humanity. This final judgment will end human history and begin a new heaven and earth ruled by God.
After death, a soul may enter one of three states:
- Heaven is an unending union with God. It is an eternal life where the soul sees God in perfect happiness.
- Purgatory is a temporary state for souls who are going to Heaven but are not yet completely free from sin. In Purgatory, the soul is purified. Prayers from people on earth and the intercession of saints can help souls in purgatory reach heaven.
- Final Damnation: Those who continue to live in serious sin and do not change before death go to hell. This is an everlasting separation from God. The church teaches that no one is sent to hell unless they freely chose to reject God. No one is destined for hell.
The Catholic Church teaches that it has the full means of salvation. However, it also recognizes that the Holy Spirit can use other Christian groups to lead people towards Catholic unity and salvation. This is because these groups have some elements of correct teaching, even if they also have some errors. The church teaches that anyone who is saved is saved through the Catholic Church. But people can be saved outside of the usual ways, like through a desire for baptism or by dying for their faith before baptism. This can also happen when people are unknowingly ignorant of the Catholic faith.
Saints and Devotions
A saint is a person recognized for being very holy or close to God. Canonization is when a Christian church declares that a person who has died was a saint. The first saints were martyrs, people who died for their faith. Later, "confessors" – people who showed their faith through their lives – were also honored.
In the Catholic Church, only the Apostolic See (the pope's authority) can declare someone a saint. This happens after a long process that requires much proof that the person lived a holy life. When the church officially recognizes someone as a saint, it means they are in Heaven. People can then publicly pray to them and mention them in church services. Canonization allows the saint to be honored everywhere in the church. For local honoring, only beatification is needed.
Devotions are "external practices of piety." They are not part of the official church services but are popular spiritual practices for Catholics. These include honoring the saints, especially the Virgin Mary. Other practices include the Stations of the Cross, prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and pilgrimages. The bishops at the Second Vatican Council reminded Catholics that devotions should fit with the church's official services and lead people to them.
Virgin Mary
Catholic Mariology deals with the church's teachings about the life of Mary, mother of Jesus, and how the faithful honor her. Mary is highly respected. She is called the Mother of God and is believed to have remained a virgin throughout her life. Other teachings include the Immaculate Conception (her own conception without original sin) and the Assumption of Mary (that her body was taken directly into heaven at the end of her life). These teachings were made official by popes after consulting with bishops worldwide. In the Eastern Catholic churches, they celebrate the feast of the Assumption as the Dormition of the Mother of God on the same date.
Devotions to Mary are part of Catholic piety but are different from the worship of God. Practices include prayers and art. Several liturgical Marian feasts are celebrated throughout the Church Year. She is honored with many titles like Queen of Heaven. Pope Paul VI called her Mother of the Church. Prayers like the Hail Mary and the Rosary are common Catholic practices. Pilgrimage to places where Marian apparitions (Mary appearing) are affirmed by the church, like Lourdes and Fátima, are also popular.
Sacraments
The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus Christ gave it seven sacraments. These were defined by church councils, most recently the Council of Trent. The sacraments are Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Holy Matrimony. Sacraments are visible rituals that Catholics see as signs of God's presence. They are channels of God's grace to those who receive them with the right attitude. The Catechism of the Catholic Church groups the sacraments into three types: "sacraments of Christian initiation," "sacraments of healing," and "sacraments at the service of communion." These groups generally reflect the stages of people's lives that each sacrament is meant to serve.
The liturgies (worship services) of the sacraments are central to the church's mission. According to the Catechism:
In the liturgy of the New Covenant every liturgical action, especially the celebration of the Eucharist and the sacraments, is an encounter between Christ and the Church. The liturgical assembly derives its unity from the "communion of the Holy Spirit" who gathers the children of God into the one Body of Christ. This assembly transcends racial, cultural, social—indeed, all human affinities.
Church teaching says that sacraments need the right form, matter, and intention to be truly valid. Also, church laws say who can properly celebrate certain sacraments and who can receive them. For example, because the church teaches that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, those who know they have committed a serious sin are not allowed to receive it until they have confessed their sins in the sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance). Catholics usually fast (don't eat) for at least an hour before receiving the Eucharist. Non-Catholics are usually not allowed to receive the Eucharist either.
Catholics, even if they are in danger of death and cannot reach a Catholic minister, should not ask for the sacraments of the Eucharist, penance, or anointing of the sick from someone who is not validly ordained according to Catholic teaching. Similarly, Catholic ministers should not give these sacraments to those who do not show Catholic faith in the sacrament. However, with Eastern Christian churches not in communion with the Holy See, the Catholic Church is less strict. It says that sharing in the Eucharist is "not merely possible but is encouraged" in suitable situations.
Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism
The Catholic Church sees Baptism as the first of three sacraments that begin a person's Christian life. It washes away all sins, both original sin and personal sins. It makes a person a member of the church. It is a free gift from God and does not require anything from the person being baptized. So, it is given even to children. Children do not have personal sins, but they need it because of original sin. If a newborn child is in danger of death, anyone—a doctor, nurse, or parent—can baptize the child. Baptism marks a person permanently and cannot be repeated. The Catholic Church accepts baptisms done by non-Catholics or non-Christians as valid, as long as they intend to baptize and use the Trinitarian baptismal formula (in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
Confirmation
The Catholic Church believes the sacrament of confirmation is needed to complete the grace given in baptism. When adults are baptized, confirmation is usually given right after. Eastern Catholic Churches also do this for newly baptized infants. In Western Christianity, especially Catholicism, the sacrament is called confirmation because it confirms and strengthens the grace of baptism. In the Eastern Churches, it is called chrismation. This is because the main part of the ritual is anointing the person with chrism. This is a special oil blessed by a bishop. Those who receive confirmation must be in a state of grace. For those old enough to understand, this means they should first confess their sins. They should also intend to receive the sacrament and be ready to show in their lives that they are Christians.
Eucharist
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For Catholics, the Eucharist is the sacrament that completes Christian initiation. It is called "the source and summit of the Christian life." The ceremony where a Catholic first receives the Eucharist is called First Communion.
The Eucharistic celebration, also called the Mass, includes prayers and Bible readings. Bread and wine are brought to the altar and consecrated by the priest. They become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This change is called transubstantiation. The words of consecration are the same words Jesus spoke during the Last Supper. There, Christ offered his body and blood to his Apostles the night before his crucifixion. The sacrament makes Jesus' sacrifice on the cross present again. Christ's death and resurrection give grace through the sacrament. This grace unites the faithful with Christ and each other. It also forgives small sins and helps prevent serious sins.
Sacraments of Healing
The two sacraments of healing are the Sacrament of Penance and Anointing of the Sick.
Penance
The Sacrament of Penance (also called Reconciliation or Confession) is for those who have sinned after baptism. This sacrament involves actions by the sinner and the priest. The sinner must examine their conscience, be sorry for their sins, decide not to sin again, and confess to a priest. The priest then decides what the person should do to make up for the sin and gives absolution (forgiveness). Serious sins should be confessed at least once a year and always before receiving Holy Communion. Confessing smaller sins is also recommended. The priest must keep everything said in confession absolutely secret.
Anointing of the Sick
While chrism oil is used for sacraments that cannot be repeated, a different oil is used by a priest or bishop to bless a Catholic who is in danger of death due to illness or old age. This sacrament, called Anointing of the Sick, is believed to give comfort, peace, courage, and even forgiveness of sins if the sick person cannot confess.
This sacrament is also called Unction, and in the past, Extreme Unction. It is one of the three sacraments that make up the last rites, along with Penance and Viaticum (Eucharist).
Sacraments at the Service of Communion
According to the Catechism, there are two sacraments of communion that help others: priesthood and marriage. These two sacraments "prepare people for a specific mission or vocation among the people of God. Men receive holy orders to serve the Church with God's word and grace. Spouses marry so their love can be strengthened to fulfill their duties."
Holy Orders
The sacrament of Holy Orders sets apart some Christians to serve the church as bishops, priests, and deacons. The church has rules about who can be ordained. Married men can be ordained in some Eastern Catholic churches and in certain special groups. They can also become deacons in the Latin Church. But after becoming a Catholic priest, a man cannot marry unless he is formally released from his priestly duties.
All clergy (deacons, priests, or bishops) can preach, teach, baptize, witness marriages, and lead funeral services. Only bishops and priests can give the sacraments of the Eucharist, Reconciliation (Penance), and Anointing of the Sick. Only bishops can give the sacrament of Holy Orders, which ordains someone into the clergy.
Matrimony
The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a special bond between a man and a woman. Its purpose is for the good of the couple and to have children. A Catholic marriage, or any marriage between baptized Christians, is seen as a sacrament. A sacramental marriage cannot be ended except by death. The church recognizes certain conditions, like free consent, for any marriage to be valid. The church also has specific rules for Catholics to follow.
The church does not recognize divorce as ending a valid marriage. It allows civil divorce only to protect the property and well-being of the spouses and children. However, a church court can declare a marriage invalid. This is called an annulment. It means that the marriage was not valid from the beginning because certain conditions were missing. Remarriage after a divorce is not allowed unless the first marriage was declared invalid.
Church Services (Liturgy)
Among the 24 independent churches, there are many different ways of worship and traditions, called rites. These show historical and cultural differences, not differences in belief. A "rite" includes the worship, beliefs, spiritual practices, and history of a particular group of people.
The worship service for the sacrament of the Eucharist is called the Mass in the West and Divine Liturgy in the East. It is the main worship service of the Catholic Church. This is because it is seen as the sacrifice of Christ himself. The most common form is the Roman Rite, which is usually celebrated in the local language.
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI allowed the continued use of the 1962 Roman Missal. This older form of the Roman Rite is called the "extraordinary form." It is celebrated mostly in liturgical Latin. However, in 2021, Pope Francis largely removed these permissions, emphasizing the newer form of the Mass.
Some other Latin Church rites include the Ambrosian Rite (used in Milan, Italy) and the Mozarabic Rite. These rites are very old and were allowed to continue.
Eastern Rites
The Eastern Catholic Churches share common traditions and worship rites with their counterparts, like the Eastern Orthodox churches, who are not in communion with the Holy See. These include churches that developed in Russia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, Northeast Africa, India, and the Middle East. Eastern Catholic Churches are groups of faithful who have either always been in full communion with the Holy See or have rejoined it after past divisions.
The worship rites of the Eastern Catholic Churches include the Byzantine Rite, the Alexandrian Rite, the West Syrian Rite, the Armenian Rite, and the East Syriac Rite. Eastern Catholic Churches have the freedom to set the details of their worship forms, within certain limits to protect their traditions. In the past, some Eastern Catholic rites were made more like Western ones. However, in recent years, Eastern Catholic Churches have returned to traditional Eastern practices, following the Second Vatican Council's decree Orientalium Ecclesiarum. Each church has its own liturgical calendar.
Social and Cultural Issues
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic social teaching focuses on helping those in need, especially the sick, the poor, and the suffering. This reflects Jesus' concern for the impoverished. Church teaching calls for a special focus on the poor. Church law says that "The Christian faithful are also obliged to promote social justice and, mindful of the precept of the Lord, to assist the poor." This teaching is often seen as starting with Pope Leo XIII's 1891 letter Rerum novarum. This letter supported the rights and dignity of workers and their right to form unions.
The church has also talked about caring for the natural environment. In his 2015 letter Laudato si', Pope Francis criticized consumerism and irresponsible development. He expressed sadness about environmental degradation and global warming. The pope worried that global warming is a sign of a bigger problem: the developed world's lack of care for the planet as people seek short-term economic gains.
Social Services
The Catholic Church is the largest non-government provider of education and medical services in the world. In 2010, a Vatican council said the church manages 26% of health care facilities worldwide. This includes hospitals, clinics, orphanages, and pharmacies.
The church has always been involved in education, since the first universities in Europe. It runs and supports thousands of primary and secondary schools, and colleges and universities worldwide. It operates the world's largest non-governmental school system.
Religious groups for women have been very important in providing health and education services. Examples include the Sisters of Mercy and the Missionaries of Charity. The Catholic nun Mother Teresa of Calcutta, India, who founded the Missionaries of Charity, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her work with the poor in India.
The church is also active in international aid through groups like Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Internationalis.
Marriage and Annulments
Church law does not allow divorce between baptized people, as a valid marriage is considered a lifelong bond. However, a marriage can be declared invalid if it is proven that important conditions for a valid marriage were missing from the start. This is called an annulment. It means the marriage was not valid from the beginning. Also, marriages between unbaptized people can be ended with papal permission in certain situations, like if one person wants to marry a Catholic.
Worldwide, church courts completed over 49,000 annulment cases in 2006. In the United States, 27,000 marriages were annulled in 2006, compared to 338 in 1968. Divorce is increasing in some Catholic countries in Europe. Some countries, like the Philippines and Vatican City, do not have a procedure for divorce.
Holy Orders and Women
Women and men in religious life work in many areas, from prayer to teaching, health care, and missionary work. While Holy Orders (ordination to clergy) are only for men, Catholic women have played many important roles in the church. Religious groups have given them a formal place for their participation. Nuns have been very involved in developing and running the church's health and education services worldwide.
The Catholic Church teaches that it "does not consider herself authorised to admit women to priestly ordination." This teaching has been affirmed by popes.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia católica para niños
- Anti-Catholicism
- Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Catholic Church by country
- Catholic spirituality
- Criticism of the Catholic Church
- Glossary of the Catholic Church
- List of Catholic religious institutes
- Lists of Catholics
- Role of Christianity in civilization
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Martin Luther
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Luther's Ninety-five Theses
