Roman Catholicism
Roman Catholicism (Catholic meaning 'universal') is the Christian denomination which claims to date back to the Apostles of two thousand years ago, centered in Rome, Italy, and led by the Bishops and the Pope (the Bishop of Rome) as their chief.
Like other Christians, Catholics believe a divine person, Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Catholics believe that because of his love for all people, Jesus Christ died so that all of us will live forever in heaven. The Catholic Church teaches that Catholics should follow the example of love Jesus Christ teaches; to love each other so much that one is even willing to die for another. Catholicism also recognizes the Triune God (the Trinity). This consists of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
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[change] The Pope
The leader of the Roman Catholic church is called the Pope, which literally means "father." Catholics say Jesus Christ established the Catholic Church, and appointed the first Pope, a person named Saint Peter, to lead all Christians. Over the next 2,000 years, different Popes have lead the church. The current Pope is called Benedict and he lives in a country called Vatican City, a very small country inside the city of Rome, Italy. In addition to the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope also leads the Eastern Catholic churches. Together with the Roman Catholic Church, they are known as the Catholic Church.
Catholics believe that some of the official statements that the Pope makes about their religion are true and cannot be proved incorrect, an idea called infallibility. Infallibility only occurs when the Pope is speaking "Ex Cathedra" which is Latin for "From the chair." The Pope is only infallible in matters of faith and morals.
[change] Worship practices
Some of the traditional worship practices of Roman Catholics include making the sign of the cross, kneeling, bowing, and receiving the Eucharist during their worship ceremonies. Their main form of worship is called the Mass and is celebrated every day, and Catholics are required to attend on Sunday. They are also required to attend on Holy Days of obligation. In the United States, the Holy Days of Obligation are: Mary, Mother of God (January 1), The Assumption of Mary (August 15), The Immaculate Conception (of Mary) (December 8), The Ascension of Jesus (40 days after Easter), Christmas (December 25) and All Saints Day (November 1). These can be remembered by the following phrase: 3 for Mary, 2 for Jesus and 1 for all the saints. While these are all practices of Roman Catholics, other Christian churches also use many or all of these same practices. Catholics put more emphasis on the Virgin Mary (Jesus's mother) than other Christian sects, calling her the "Mother of God," "The Queen of Heaven," and praying to her regularly, as "Mediatrix of graces" at a level higher than the mediation of other saints.
[change] Sacraments
The Catholic Church celebrates seven sacraments. A sacrament is "an outward sign instituted (started) by Christ to give grace." The seven sacraments are: Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Holy Matrimony (marriage), Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick and the Most Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist is the most important of the sacraments, because Catholics believe that Jesus Christ becomes truly present in the form of bread and wine. This happens through transubstantiation which takes place in the Mass.
Catholics believe in the necessity of love, hope and faith- in order to gain salvation, but that these all come from grace (a supernatural gift of God that someone did nothing to deserve). This is different from the 16th century interpretation created by Luther. Catholics interpret the Bible (Christian religious book) by St. Augustine's rule, and by Tradition. Tradition is the records of the teachings of the early church, especially those before what was in the bible was finalized in the fourth century. (The acceptance of the gospels was already current in the 2nd century.) A basic rule for Catholics is that "Truth cannot contradict truth". They translated the Bible with this in mind. No interpretation of interpretable material can be accepted if it contradicts another revealed truth. The Bible is considered revealed.
[change] Nicene Creed
Catholics, like Orthodox Christians, accept the Nicene Creed, a combination of the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) and the later Council of Constantinople (A.D. 382) as true:
"We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfilment of the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. " Nicene Creed, Catholic Prayers
Eastern Orthodox and Protestant people believe many of the same things. They disagree on the role of saints and the role of Mary (the mother of Jesus), on what a priest can do, and on how exactly God should be worshipped, among other things.
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