Roman Catholic Church

C

The Pope

At the head of the Roman Catholic Church is the pope, who has final authority in all matters. 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 several have been held since then. Synods are not to be confused with ecumenical councils, solemn convocations of all the bishops of the world. The Catholic Church numbers only 21 such councils in its long history—the most recent being the Second Vatican Council. While they are in communion with the pope, the councils exercise unquestionably 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 in 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 (6 cardinal bishops, 50 cardinal priests, and 14 cardinal deacons). By 2001 the number of cardinals had reached 184, most of whom had been named by Pope John Paul II.

E

The Curia

The pope is assisted in his administration of the Church by a complex bureaucracy known as the Curia. Of ancient origin, the Curia is located in Vatican City. It is now directed by the Secretariat of State, to which the various other offices report. These offices now consist of the Sacred Congregation for the Public Affairs of the Church, as well as ten congregations, three tribunals, three secretariats, and other bureaux.

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 legitimately practise baptism by immersion and allow marriage of the clergy.

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 all the theological speculation of the apostolic, patristic, medieval, and modern periods. Although this doctrinal comprehensiveness may sometimes seem to lack internal coherence, it helps vindicate the Church’s claim to “catholicity” (universality), even in doctrinal matters. The Church does not in principle exclude any theological method, and since Pope Pius XII’s encyclical Divino Afflante Spiritu (1943) it has officially sanctioned modern principles of exegesis for interpreting the Bible. Since the Second Vatican Council, participation in the ecumenical movement has made Catholics appreciate the doctrinal viewpoint even of the Protestant reformers who broke with the Church in the 16th century.