Sarah Mitchell
Catholicism is one of the three major branches of Christianity, with Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism being the other two. It is the largest branch, with 1.3 billion followers worldwide, who are led by the Pope, the bishop of Rome. The Catholic Church considers itself to be the original pre-denominational Church, with the Orthodox and Protestant churches breaking off from it. However, some believe that the Catholic Church has become a separate religion from Christianity due to its extra-biblical practices, such as the insistence on an earthly priest as an intermediary between God and humans, and the overemphasis on the importance of Mary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of followers | There are about 1.3 billion Roman Catholics worldwide, which is more than half of all Christians. |
| Relationship with Christianity | Catholicism is a branch of Christianity. A Catholic is a Christian, but a Christian is not necessarily a Catholic. |
| Beliefs about the sacraments | The sacraments are a key and essential part of the Catholic faith. |
| Beliefs about the Bible | Catholics don't read the Bible in a totally literal sense. They also use a Bible with 7 additional books that some other Christian churches don't recognize. |
| Beliefs about Mary | Catholics place a high importance on the Virgin Mary, to the point of idolatry according to some. |
| Beliefs about the Pope | Catholics believe in the papacy and follow the Pope as the bishop of Rome. |
| Beliefs about sin and salvation | Catholics believe that people who do not confess their sins to a human priest cannot be saved and are cursed for eternity. |
| Beliefs about science | Catholics are not against science. |
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What You'll Learn
Catholicism is the original Christian church
Catholicism, or Roman Catholicism, is the largest of the three major branches of Christianity, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptised Catholics worldwide as of 2025. All Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholics. Catholicism is the original Christian church, with the Orthodox and Protestant churches breaking off from it later.
The Catholic Church is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions and has played a prominent role in the history and development of Western civilisation. The historian Paul Legutko of Stanford University said the Catholic Church is "at the centre of the development of the values, ideas, science, laws, and institutions which constitute what we call Western civilisation". The first universities in Europe were established by monks, with several older cathedral schools becoming universities in the 11th century, including Oxford, Paris and Bologna.
The term "Catholic Church" (Gk. katholike ekklesia) means "universal assembly", and was first used in writing by Ignatius in a letter to the Christians of Smyrna around AD 107. Ignatius exhorted these Christians to follow their bishop as the broader universal assembly of Christians follows Christ. However, he used the terms distinctly, referring to disciples of Christ as Christians, and the universal assembly of Christians as the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church teaches that it is the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church founded by Jesus Christ in his Great Commission, and that its bishops are the successors of Christ. It is led by the pope, as the bishop of Rome, and the Holy See forms the church's central government. The core beliefs of Catholicism are found in the Nicene Creed.
However, some claim that the Church that Jesus founded was the "Christian Church", not the Catholic Church. They cite the Acts of the Apostles, which refers to the disciples being called Christians for the first time. Many modern Christians suppose that the Catholic Church was founded by men much later in Christian history. However, a little historical study reveals that these early Christians' church was, indeed, the Catholic Church. Peter founded the church in Antioch, the third-largest city in the Roman Empire at the time, before he went to Rome.
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Protestants broke off from Catholicism during the Reformation
Catholicism is considered the original Christian church, with other churches, such as the Orthodox and Protestant churches, breaking off from it over time. Catholicism is the largest of the three major branches of Christianity, with about 1.3 billion followers out of an estimated 2.5 billion Christians worldwide.
The Protestant Reformation was a religious reform movement that began in the 16th century and spread throughout Western Europe. It resulted in the creation of a branch of Christianity called Protestantism, which collectively refers to the many religious groups that separated from the Roman Catholic Church due to differences in doctrine. The movement brought an end to the ecclesiastical unity of medieval Christianity in Western Europe and profoundly reshaped the course of modern history.
The Protestant Reformation is often attributed to Martin Luther, a German teacher, and monk. In 1517, Luther published a document called "Disputation on the Power of Indulgences", or the "95 Theses", which outlined a series of ideas about Christianity that contradicted the teachings of the Catholic Church. Luther argued that the church needed to be reformed and that individuals could only be saved through personal faith in Jesus Christ and the grace of God. He objected to the Catholic Church's practices of pilgrimages, the sale of indulgences, and prayers addressed to saints, deeming them immoral. Luther also advocated for printing the Bible in languages other than Latin, to make it more accessible to the general public.
Other famous reformers who contributed to the spread of the Protestant Reformation include John Calvin and Huldrych Zwingli, who proposed new ideas about the practice of Holy Communion, and the Anabaptists, who believed that baptism was reserved for adult Christians rather than infants. The essential tenets of the Reformation were that the Bible is the sole authority on matters of faith and conduct, and that salvation is achieved through God's grace and faith in Jesus Christ.
The Protestant Reformation led to a rejection of the authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church, with Protestants emphasizing individual independence in their relationship with God and personal responsibility for their faith. This movement ultimately resulted in the formation of numerous Protestant denominations, with tens of thousands of variations existing today.
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Catholics believe in the trinity
Catholicism is a branch of Christianity, and Catholics are Christians. However, not all Christians are Catholics. Catholicism is the original Christian church, with the Orthodox and Protestant churches breaking off from it later.
The concept of the Trinity is a complex one, and various theories have been developed to explain it. One theory, based on Genesis 1, suggests that the "image and likeness" of God refers to humankind's higher faculties or operations of intellect and will. God is rational, intellectual, and volitional. This idea forms the basis for St. Augustine's anthropological analogy, which helps to explain the Trinity. According to this analogy, in God, we see the Father as the "being one" and the first principle of life in the Godhead, the Son as the "knowing one" or the Word, and the Holy Spirit as the "loving one".
The Holy Spirit is constituted by the Father and the Son in an act of infinite love, which is the foundation for the idea that "God is love" (1 John 4:8). This infinite act of love is what Christians are called to experience through faith and the sacraments, which lift us up into the love of God (Romans 5:1-5).
However, some critics argue that Catholic teachings on Mary distort the concept of the Trinity by elevating her to a status similar to that of the three persons of the Trinity. This is seen as a form of idolatry and a departure from true biblical Christianity.
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Catholics believe in the Pope as an intermediary between God and humankind
Catholicism is a branch of Christianity, and all Catholics are Christians. However, not all Christians are Catholics, as there are many Christian denominations and churches that have schismed from Catholicism.
Catholics believe that the Pope is the successor of Saint Peter, who was entrusted with the keys of the kingdom of heaven by Jesus (Matthew 16:19). The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and holds the highest teaching authority in the Catholic Church. He is the spiritual father and servant leader of the universal Church. Catholics believe that the Pope is infallible when teaching on matters of faith and morals for the entire Church. The Pope is considered the representative of God on earth and is also known as the Vicar of Christ. He is believed to be the man on earth who takes the place of the Second Person of the omnipotent God of the Trinity.
The Pope is seen as a moral and spiritual guide for Catholics, reminding them of their mission to follow Jesus Christ and uphold the dignity of human life. He advances the Church's Great Commission and preserves the Faith entrusted to the apostles. Catholics believe that the Pope ensures the unity of Catholics worldwide and serves as the world's conscience.
While Catholics believe that the Pope is a vital intermediary between God and humankind, they do not consider him to be God. The Pope is viewed as a fellow believer and a representative of God, rather than a divine being. Catholics acknowledge that the Pope is human and can make mistakes, just like any other person.
The belief in the Pope as an intermediary between God and humankind is a significant aspect of Catholic doctrine and sets it apart from some other Christian denominations.
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Catholics have an unwavering set of moral laws
Catholicism is a type of Christianity, but not all Christians are Catholics. Catholicism is the largest of the three major branches of Christianity, with around 1.3 billion followers out of the 2.5 billion Christians worldwide.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that moral law is a law of love, grace, and freedom. It is a law of love because it makes Catholics act out of the love infused by the Holy Spirit. It is a law of grace because it gives the strength of grace to act through faith and the sacraments. And it is a law of freedom because it liberates Catholics from the ritual and juridical observances of the Old Law, allowing them to act spontaneously and inclining them to act out of charity.
The Ten Commandments are a part of moral law, teaching basic rules for loving God and treating others with respect, such as honouring parents, telling the truth, and respecting life. Following these laws brings joy and freedom, as hearts and minds are transformed to love as Jesus loves.
The Christian moral life involves cultivating and practicing virtue, which allows people to perform good acts and give the best of themselves. Human virtues form the soul, supporting moral behaviour, controlling passions, and avoiding sin. They guide conduct according to the dictates of faith and reason, leading to freedom based on self-control and the joy of living a good moral life. Examples of desirable virtues include compassion, responsibility, self-discipline, honesty, loyalty, friendship, courage, and persistence.
For an act to be morally good, one's intention must be good. If an action is motivated by bad intentions, even if it is objectively good, it is considered morally evil. A good intention cannot make a bad action good, and the end does not justify the means. Sin is an inherent part of the moral life, and its existence must be acknowledged to avoid spiritual and psychological damage.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholicism is a branch of Christianity, and the largest of the three major branches. It is led by the Pope, the bishop of Rome, and has around 1.3 billion followers worldwide.
Catholicism differs from other branches of Christianity in its beliefs about the sacraments, the importance of the Virgin Mary, the saints, and the role of the Bible and tradition. Catholics also believe in the Trinity (God in three persons: the Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit), and that the bread and blood of Jesus become exactly that as outlined in the Bible.
Yes, a Catholic can be a Christian, but not all Christians are necessarily Catholic.
