Roman Catholic Church

C

The Pope

At the head of the Roman Catholic Church is the pope, who is the bishop of Rome. He has final authority in all matters (see Infallibility). The pope appoints bishops to dioceses and transfers them to others. Although bishops enjoy their jurisdictional powers by reason of their office, they cannot legitimately exercise them without the permission of the pope. On September 15, 1965, Pope Paul VI instituted the Synod of Bishops, a representative body of bishops and others that may be called by the pope to consult on major issues. The first such synod met in Vatican City in 1967, and a number of synods have been held since then. Synods are not to be confused with ecumenical councils, which are solemn convocations of all the bishops of the world (see Council). The Catholic Church numbers only 21 such councils in its long history, the most recent being the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). While they are in communion with the pope, the councils exercise the highest authority in the church.

D

The Cardinal

Cardinals are the highest dignitaries in the church after the pope. Appointed by the pope, they constitute the supreme council of the church, the Sacred College, and on the death of the pope they elect his successor (see Conclave). Most cardinals are bishops of dioceses located throughout the world; others are the chief members of the Sacred Congregations of the papal administration. The Sacred Congregation of Cardinals was formerly limited to 70 members, but this limit was abolished by Pope John XXIII in 1958. By 2001 the number of cardinals had exceeded 180, and all but 24 of the cardinals had been named by Pope John Paul II.

E

The Curia

The Curia assists the pope in his administration of the church. Of ancient origin, the Curia is located in Vatican City. It is a complex bureaucracy directed by the Secretariat of State, to which the various other offices report. These offices now consist of nine congregations and three tribunals, as well as other councils and offices.

F

Eastern Rite Churches

Although most members of the Roman Catholic Church follow a discipline, ritual, and canon law that developed in the early years of the diocese of Rome, others adhere in these matters to their own centuries-old traditions. These are the Eastern Rite churches, or Uniate churches, such as the Maronite, Chaldean, Ruthenian, and Ukrainian. Some of these churches practice Holy Communion under both kinds (the use of both bread and wine) and baptism by immersion, and allow marriage of the clergy.

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III

Distinctive Doctrines

Although the Roman Catholic Church holds certain doctrines that distinguish it from other Christian churches, it is most characteristic in the breadth and comprehensiveness of its doctrinal tradition. Locating its beginnings in the earliest Christian communities and refusing to acknowledge any decisive break in its history, the Roman Catholic Church considers itself heir to the theological traditions of the apostolic, patristic, medieval, and modern periods. The church does not in principle exclude any theological method, and since the encyclical of Pope Pius XII Divino Afflante Spiritu (1943) it has officially sanctioned modern principles of exegesis for interpreting the Bible. Participation since the Second Vatican Council in the ecumenical movement has helped Catholics appreciate the doctrinal viewpoint of the Protestant reformers who broke with the church in the 16th century.

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