Catholic Church

The Catholic Church, in communion with the Bishop of Rome, is the largest body of Christians in the world.

Tracing continuity from the apostles, especially Peter, with the See of Rome as its visible center. Diverged from the East in 1054 and responded to the Reformation at Trent and later at Vatican II.

• Trinity, Incarnation, and the Nicene Creed.
• Seven sacraments instituted by Christ.
• Papal primacy and, since 1870, papal infallibility ex cathedra.
• Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition together as the deposit of faith.

Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium (the teaching office of pope and bishops) function together.

Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Matrimony.

The Mass, celebrated in many rites; the Liturgy of the Hours; Marian and saintly devotions.

• Peter
• Gregory the Great
• Thomas Aquinas
• Catherine of Siena
• John Henry Newman

1. 1054
   Great Schism with the East
2. 1545–63
   Council of Trent
3. 1869–70
   First Vatican Council
4. 1962–65
   Second Vatican Council