Roman Catholic Church - Revision history

Thiebes: lots of editing done; much more needed.

2005-11-17T09:54:37Z

lots of editing done; much more needed.

Jachin: /* Overview */

2005-07-09T07:26:25Z

Overview

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	According to the [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]], the Church's first purpose is "to be the sacrament of the inner union of men with God." Thus the Church's "structure is totally ordered to the holiness of Christ's members." (''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' 775, 773)		According to the [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]], the Church's first purpose is "to be the sacrament of the inner union of men with God." Thus the Church's "structure is totally ordered to the holiness of Christ's members." (''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' 775, 773)

			The Roman Catholic Church draws on rites and rituals that have been said to have stemmed from archaeic High Magic, the reflection of such is quite evident to those who witness their rituals who have an occult or esoteric background of research. Whilst many practitioners will not confirm the origin of certain rites, it is evident that there is a strong fusion between middle eastern mystery cults and northern european paganism in them.

	== Terminology ==		== Terminology ==

Jachin: /* Worldwide distribution */

2005-07-09T07:23:39Z

Worldwide distribution

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	== Worldwide distribution ==		== Worldwide distribution ==
	~~:''For the Roman Catholic Church regionally and by country see [[:Category:Roman Catholic Church by Country]] and [[:Category:Roman Catholic Church by region]]''~~

	The total number of Catholics in the world is over one billion. They are found in nearly every country, though they are more concentrated in the Americas and Europe. They currently make up 63% of the population of [[North America\|North]] and [[South America]], 40% of [[Europe]], roughly 20% of [[Sub-Saharan Africa]], and 3% of [[Asia]] [http://www.ewtn.com/library/CHISTORY/ANNU2000.HTM].		The total number of Catholics in the world is over one billion. They are found in nearly every country, though they are more concentrated in the Americas and Europe. They currently make up 63% of the population of [[North America\|North]] and [[South America]], 40% of [[Europe]], roughly 20% of [[Sub-Saharan Africa]], and 3% of [[Asia]] [http://www.ewtn.com/library/CHISTORY/ANNU2000.HTM].

Jachin: /* Liturgy */

2005-07-09T07:22:40Z

Liturgy

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:22, 9 July 2005
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	== Liturgy ==		== Liturgy ==
	~~{{christianity}}~~
	The centre of the Roman Catholic Church's life is the [[liturgy\|liturgical]] service of the [[Eucharist]] or Mass. On each Sunday and [[Holy Day of Obligation]] or on the evening before, Catholics have an obligation to participate in this celebration. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Mass is the un-bloody renewal of the Sacrifice of Calvary upon the altar, and the most perfect way to fulfill man's "four-fold duties" to God: adoration, thanksgiving, satisfaction for sins, and petition. For further information, see the article [[Mass (liturgy)]] and the references in that article.		The centre of the Roman Catholic Church's life is the [[liturgy\|liturgical]] service of the [[Eucharist]] or Mass. On each Sunday and [[Holy Day of Obligation]] or on the evening before, Catholics have an obligation to participate in this celebration. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Mass is the un-bloody renewal of the Sacrifice of Calvary upon the altar, and the most perfect way to fulfill man's "four-fold duties" to God: adoration, thanksgiving, satisfaction for sins, and petition. For further information, see the article [[Mass (liturgy)]] and the references in that article.

Jachin at 07:22, 9 July 2005

2005-07-09T07:22:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:22, 9 July 2005
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	It is a [[hierarchy\|hierarchical]] organization in which ordained [[clergy]] are divided into the [[Holy Orders\|orders]] of [[bishop]]s, [[priest]]s and [[deacon]]s. The world is divided into 2755 (at the end of 2004) [[diocese]]s, sometimes called bishoprics, each with a presiding bishop, responsible for the religious welfare of the faithful in his geographical area. The diocese of [[Rome]] has always been pre-eminent in the Church, because it is the seat of the bishop, known as the [[Pope]], who is considered by Catholics to be the successor of [[Saint Peter]], the chief of the [[Apostles]].		It is a [[hierarchy\|hierarchical]] organization in which ordained [[clergy]] are divided into the [[Holy Orders\|orders]] of [[bishop]]s, [[priest]]s and [[deacon]]s. The world is divided into 2755 (at the end of 2004) [[diocese]]s, sometimes called bishoprics, each with a presiding bishop, responsible for the religious welfare of the faithful in his geographical area. The diocese of [[Rome]] has always been pre-eminent in the Church, because it is the seat of the bishop, known as the [[Pope]], who is considered by Catholics to be the successor of [[Saint Peter]], the chief of the [[Apostles]].

	[[Image:San Pietro Basilica.jpg\|thumb\|right\|200px\|[[Saint Peter's Basilica]] in [[Holy See\|Rome]]. The statue in the foreground is of [[Saint Peter]], held by the Catholic Church to be the first [[Pope]].]]

	== Overview ==		== Overview ==
	~~[[Image:Popebenedictxvi firsttimeonthrone.jpg\|thumb\|right\|200px\|Benedict XVI, like all popes, is considered by Roman Catholics as the Vicar of Christ and therefore leader of all Christendom.]]~~

	The Roman Catholic Church has a membership in every country in the [[World]].The Church sees itself as instituted by Jesus Christ for the salvation of [[soul]]s. It accomplishes this goal through teaching and through administration of [[sacraments]], including [[baptism]], the [[Eucharist]], and the forgiveness of sins, through which [[God]] grants [[grace]] to the believer. The teaching authority or [[magisterium]] of the Church bases its teachings on both [[Scripture]] and apostolic tradition. As well as ordained secular clergy, the Church encourages [[monasticism]], and has many orders of monks, friars and nuns who live in [[celibacy]], and devote their lives entirely to God. Other religious practices include [[fasting]], [[prayer]], [[penance]], [[pilgrimage]] and [[meditation]].		The Roman Catholic Church has a membership in every country in the [[World]].The Church sees itself as instituted by Jesus Christ for the salvation of [[soul]]s. It accomplishes this goal through teaching and through administration of [[sacraments]], including [[baptism]], the [[Eucharist]], and the forgiveness of sins, through which [[God]] grants [[grace]] to the believer. The teaching authority or [[magisterium]] of the Church bases its teachings on both [[Scripture]] and apostolic tradition. As well as ordained secular clergy, the Church encourages [[monasticism]], and has many orders of monks, friars and nuns who live in [[celibacy]], and devote their lives entirely to God. Other religious practices include [[fasting]], [[prayer]], [[penance]], [[pilgrimage]] and [[meditation]].

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	== Doctrine ==		== Doctrine ==
	~~[[Image:Small crucifix.jpg\|thumb\|left\|200px\|The Crucifix, bearing the image of Jesus suffering on a cross, often serves as a symbol of the Roman Catholic Church.]]~~

	In Roman Catholic theology, the Deposit of the Faith (all the dogmas and beliefs of the Church) comes from two sources: the [[Bible]] and Sacred Tradition. Roman Catholics believe that Jesus Christ transmitted the entire Catholic Faith to the apostles; a portion of this Faith was written down and is found in the Bible, and the other portion was orally handed down through the centuries. The Bible is the normal rule of faith ([[norma scriptura]]) and no Catholic belief or practice can contradict it.		In Roman Catholic theology, the Deposit of the Faith (all the dogmas and beliefs of the Church) comes from two sources: the [[Bible]] and Sacred Tradition. Roman Catholics believe that Jesus Christ transmitted the entire Catholic Faith to the apostles; a portion of this Faith was written down and is found in the Bible, and the other portion was orally handed down through the centuries. The Bible is the normal rule of faith ([[norma scriptura]]) and no Catholic belief or practice can contradict it.

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	== Organization ==		== Organization ==
	=== The Pope ===		=== The Pope ===
	~~[[Image:Lateran basilica.png\|thumb\|right\|250px\|The Basilica of St John Lateran, cathedral of the diocese of Rome and so of the Pope]]~~
	What most obviously distinguishes the Roman Catholic Church from others is the link between its members and the Pope. The [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]], 882, quoting the Second Vatican Council’s document ''Lumen Gentium'', states: "The ''Pope'', Bishop of Rome and Peter’s successor, ‘is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful.’"[http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p123a9p4.htm#I]		What most obviously distinguishes the Roman Catholic Church from others is the link between its members and the Pope. The [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]], 882, quoting the Second Vatican Council’s document ''Lumen Gentium'', states: "The ''Pope'', Bishop of Rome and Peter’s successor, ‘is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful.’"[http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p123a9p4.htm#I]

Jachin: Creation of Article.

2005-07-09T07:20:24Z

Creation of Article.

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