Catholic Church Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Organization== {{Anchor|Organization and demographics|Organization and demographics}} {{Main|Hierarchy of the Catholic Church|Catholic Church by country}} [[File:Emblem of the Papacy SE.svg|thumb|The crossed keys of the Holy See symbolize those of [[Simon Peter]]; the triple crown [[papal tiara]] symbolizes the triple power of the pope as "father of kings", "governor of the world" and "[[Vicar of Christ]]"; the gold cross symbolizes the sovereignty of Jesus.]] The Catholic Church follows an [[episcopal polity]], led by bishops who have received the sacrament of [[#Sacraments at the service of communion|Holy Orders]] who are given formal [[ecclesiastical jurisdiction|jurisdictions]] of governance within the church.<ref name="CCC880">{{Cite CCC|2.1|880–883|quote='[T]he Roman Pontiff [the pope], ... has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered.' 'The college or body of bishops has no authority unless united with the Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, as its head.' As such, this college has 'supreme and full authority over the universal Church; but this power cannot be exercised without the agreement of the Roman Pontiff.'}}</ref><ref name="CEHierarchy">{{Cite CE1913 | wstitle = Hierarchy| title = Hierarchy | first = A.| last = Van Hove }} "It is usual to distinguish a twofold hierarchy in the Church, that of [[holy orders|order]] and that of jurisdiction, corresponding to the twofold means of sanctification, grace, which comes to us principally through the sacraments, and good works, which are the fruit of grace."</ref> There are three levels of clergy: the episcopate, composed of bishops who hold jurisdiction over a geographic area called a [[diocese]] or [[eparchy]]; the presbyterate, composed of priests ordained by bishops and who work in local dioceses or religious orders; and the diaconate, composed of deacons who assist bishops and priests in a variety of ministerial roles. Ultimately leading the entire Catholic Church is the [[bishop of Rome]], known as the pope ({{lang-la|papa|translation=father}}), whose jurisdiction is called the [[Holy See]] ({{lang|la|Sancta Sedes}} in Latin).<ref name="section880">{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P2A.HTM#PZ|work=[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]|title=Christ's Faithful – Hierarchy, Laity, Consecrated Life: The episcopal college and its head, the Pope|publisher=Libreria Editrice Vaticana|location=Vatican City|year=1993|access-date=14 April 2013|archive-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303075200/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P2A.HTM#PZ|url-status=live}}</ref> In parallel to the diocesan structure are a variety of [[religious institute]]s that function autonomously, often subject only to the authority of the pope, though sometimes subject to the local bishop. Most religious institutes only have male or female members but some have both. Additionally, [[Catholic laity|lay members]] aid many liturgical functions during worship services. The Catholic Church has been described as the oldest [[multinational organization]] in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Paula |date=April 2017 |title=Globalization of the Catholic Church: Implications for managing a large multinational organization for a long period of time |url=https://digitalcommons.bryant.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1022&context=honors_marketing |website=Bryant Digital Repository |access-date=30 July 2023 |archive-date=21 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521192442/https://digitalcommons.bryant.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1022&context=honors_marketing |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Pope, CEO |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/business/2013/03/09/pope-ceo |access-date=30 July 2023 |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=30 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730220035/https://www.economist.com/business/2013/03/09/pope-ceo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yglesias |first=Matthew |date=13 March 2013 |title=The New Pope Runs One of America's Largest Businesses |language=en-US |work=Slate |url=https://slate.com/business/2013/03/catholic-church-revenue-one-of-america-s-biggest-businesses.html |access-date=30 July 2023 |issn=1091-2339 |archive-date=30 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730234720/https://slate.com/business/2013/03/catholic-church-revenue-one-of-america-s-biggest-businesses.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ===Holy See, papacy, Roman Curia, and College of Cardinals=== {{Main|Holy See|Pope|Roman Curia|College of Cardinals}} {{Further|List of popes}} [[File:Canonization 2014- The Canonization of Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II (14036966125).jpg|thumb|left|[[Pope Francis]], the [[List of popes|266th]] and current pope of the Catholic Church, a [[courtesy title|title]] he holds ''[[ex officio]]'' as bishop of Rome and sovereign of Vatican City, was elected in the [[2013 papal conclave]].]] The [[hierarchy of the Catholic Church]] is headed{{refn|group=note|According to Catholic teaching, Jesus Christ is the 'invisible Head' of the Church<ref>{{cite web|title=Lesson 11: On the Church|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources/catechism/baltimore-catechism/lesson-11-on-the-church|publisher=Catholic News Agency|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809120229/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources/catechism/baltimore-catechism/lesson-11-on-the-church|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Most|first=William G.|title=The Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Christ|url=https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/teachings/catholic-church-is-the-mystical-body-of-christ-89|website=ewtn.com|publisher=Global Catholic Network|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804083816/https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/teachings/catholic-church-is-the-mystical-body-of-christ-89|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Christ's Headship|url=https://www.catholicculture.org/Culture/library/dictionary/index.cfm?id=32529|website=catholicculture.org|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023022220/https://www.catholicculture.org/Culture/library/dictionary/index.cfm?id=32529|url-status=live}}</ref> while the pope is the 'visible Head'.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Pope|url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12260a.htm|website=newadvent.org|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=7 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007002926/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12260a.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lumen Gentium|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html|website=The Holy See|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-date=6 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906031754/https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html|url-status=live}}</ref> }} by the pope, currently [[Pope Francis]], who was elected on 13 March 2013 by [[2013 papal conclave|a papal conclave]].<ref name="habemus_papem_2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.news.va/en/news/habemus-papam-cardinal-bergolio-elected-pope|title=Habemus Papam! Cardinal Bergoglio Elected Pope Francis|publisher=News.va|access-date=14 March 2013|archive-date=16 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316043440/http://www.news.va/en/news/habemus-papam-cardinal-bergolio-elected-pope|url-status=dead}}</ref> The office of the pope is known as the ''papacy''. The Catholic Church holds that Christ instituted the papacy upon giving the [[keys of Heaven]] to [[Saint Peter]]. His ecclesiastical jurisdiction is called the Holy See, or the [[Apostolic See]] (meaning the see of the apostle Peter).<ref>{{cite book|first=Jaroslav|last=Pelikan|year=1985|title=Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine, Volume 4: Reformation of Church and Dogma (1300–1700)|publisher=University of Chicago Press|url={{googlebooks|Qve0IqI5YC|page=114|plainurl=y}}|isbn=978-0-226-65377-8|page=114}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor-first=Robert|editor-last=Feduccia|year=2005|title=Primary Source Readings in Catholic Church History|publisher=Saint Mary's Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bkc6gh1JdGkC&pg=PA85|isbn=978-0-88489-868-9|page=85|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-date=10 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310112255/https://books.google.com/books?id=Bkc6gh1JdGkC&pg=PA85|url-status=live}}</ref> Directly serving the pope is the Roman Curia, the central governing body that administers the day-to-day business of the Catholic Church. The pope is also [[sovereign]] of Vatican City,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/|title=Vatican City State – State and Government|publisher=Vaticanstate.va|access-date=11 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722082631/http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/|archive-date=22 July 2010}}</ref> a small [[city-state]] entirely enclaved within the city of Rome, which is an entity distinct from the Holy See. It is as head of the Holy See, not as head of Vatican City State, that the pope receives ambassadors of states and sends them his own diplomatic representatives.<ref>{{cite web|work=British Foreign and Commonwealth Office|url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/europe/holy-see/|title=Country Profile: Vatican City State/Holy See {{!}} Travel and Living Abroad|date=27 February 2012|access-date=26 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231084624/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/europe/holy-see/|archive-date=31 December 2010}}</ref> The Holy See also confers [[Orders, decorations, and medals of the Holy See|orders, decorations and medals]], such as the [[orders of chivalry]] originating from the [[Middle Ages]]. While the famous [[Saint Peter's Basilica]] is located in Vatican City, above the traditional site of [[Saint Peter's tomb]], the papal cathedral for the Diocese of Rome is the [[Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran]], located within the city of Rome, though enjoying [[extraterritorial]] privileges accredited to the Holy See. The position of [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinal]] is a rank of honour bestowed by popes on certain clerics, such as leaders within the Roman Curia, bishops serving in major cities and distinguished theologians. For advice and assistance in governing, the pope may turn to the [[College of Cardinals]].<ref name="McDonough227">McDonough (1995), p. 227</ref> Following the death or resignation of a pope,{{refn|The last resignation occurred on 28 February 2013, when [[Pope Benedict XVI]] retired, citing ill health in his advanced age. The next most recent resignation occurred in 1415, as part of the [[Council of Constance]]'s resolution of the [[Avignon Papacy]].<ref name=duffy415>Duffy (1997), p. 415</ref>|group=note}} members of the College of Cardinals who are under age 80 act as an [[electoral college]], meeting in a [[papal conclave]] to elect a successor.<ref name="duffy416">Duffy (1997), p. 416</ref> Although the conclave may elect any male Catholic as pope, since 1389 only cardinals have been elected.<ref name="duffy417and18">Duffy (1997), pp. 417–418</ref> ===Canon law=== {{Main|Canon law of the Catholic Church}} {{See also|Catholic Church#Liturgy}} <!--From [[Canon law (Catholic Church)]]--> Catholic canon law ({{Lang-la|jus canonicum}})<ref>Black's Law Dictionary, 5th Edition, pg. 771: "Jus canonicum"</ref> is the [[legal system|system]] of laws and [[canon law|legal principles]] made and enforced by the [[Hierarchy of the Catholic Church|hierarchical authorities]] of the Catholic Church to regulate its external organization and government and to order and direct the activities of Catholics toward the mission of the church.{{sfn|Della Rocca|1959|p=3}} The canon law of the Latin Church was the first modern Western [[legal system]],<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Berman |first1=Harold J. |author1-link=Harold J. Berman |title=Law and Revolution: The Formation of the Western Legal Tradition |year=1983 |pages=86, 115 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0674517769}}</ref> and is the oldest continuously functioning legal system in the West,<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Edward N. |last1=Peters |author1-link=Edward N. Peters |url=http://canonlaw.info/ |title=CanonLaw.info Home Page |access-date=11 June 2013 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928005444/http://www.canonlaw.info/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |first1=Raymond |last1=Wacks |author1-link=Raymond Wacks |title=Law: A Very Short Introduction, 2nd Ed. |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2015 |page=13 |isbn=978-0198745624}}</ref> while the distinctive traditions of [[Eastern Catholic canon law]] govern the 23 Eastern Catholic [[particular church]]es ''[[sui iuris]]''. Positive ecclesiastical laws, based directly or indirectly upon immutable divine law or [[natural law]], derive formal authority in the case of universal laws from [[Promulgation (Catholic canon law)|promulgation]] by the supreme legislator—the [[Supreme Pontiff]]—who possesses the totality of legislative, executive and judicial power in his person,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P16.HTM|title=Canon 331 – 1983 Code of Canon Law|website=Vatican.va|publisher=[[Secretariat for Communication|Segreteria per la Comunicazione]]|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-date=2 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070402021624/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P16.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref> while particular laws derive formal authority from promulgation by a legislator inferior to the supreme legislator, whether an ordinary or a delegated legislator. The actual subject material of the canons is not just doctrinal or moral in nature, but all-encompassing of the human condition. It has all the ordinary elements of a mature legal system:<ref name=clinfocat/> laws, [[Ecclesiastical court|courts]], lawyers, judges,<ref name="clinfocat">{{Cite web |first1=Edward N. |last1=Peters |author1-link=Edward N. Peters |url=http://www.canonlaw.info/a_catechistintro.htm |title=A Catechist's Introduction to Canon Law |website=CanonLaw.info |access-date=11 June 2013 |archive-date=2 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802095547/http://www.canonlaw.info/a_catechistintro.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> a fully articulated [[1983 Code of Canon Law|legal code]] for the Latin Church{{sfn|Della Rocca|1959|p=49}} as well as a [[Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches|code]] for the Eastern Catholic Churches,{{sfn|Della Rocca|1959|p=49}} principles of [[Interpretation (Catholic canon law)|legal interpretation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2.HTM|title=Code of Canon Law: text – IntraText CT|website=intratext.com|access-date=18 June 2014|archive-date=11 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211125942/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref> and coercive penalties.<ref>{{cite periodical |url=https://stjosephcanonlaw.com/sites/default/files/newsletter-preview-pdfs/christifidelis30.7.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714200828/https://stjosephcanonlaw.com/sites/default/files/newsletter-preview-pdfs/christifidelis30.7.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 |title=Canonical Basics |periodical=Christifidelis |publisher=St. Joseph Foundation |date=25 December 2012 |volume=30|issue=7|page=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.firstthings.com/article/2012/08/conscience-and-coercion|title=Conscience and Coercion|journal=[[First Things]]|access-date=24 March 2015|quote=The 1983 Code of Canon Law still teaches that the Church has a coercive authority over the baptized, with the authority to direct and to punish, by temporal as well as spiritual penalties, for culpable apostasy or heresy.|first1=Thomas|last1=Pink|date=1 August 2012|publisher=The Institute on Religion and Public Life|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402085937/http://www.firstthings.com/article/2012/08/conscience-and-coercion|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Canon law of the Catholic Church|Canon law]] concerns the Catholic Church's life and organization and is distinct from civil law. In its own field it gives force to civil law only by specific enactment in matters such as the guardianship of minors.<ref>{{cite book|first1=John P.|last1=Beal|year=2000|title=New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JKgZEjvB5cEC&pg=PA85|publisher=[[Paulist Press]]|isbn=978-0-8091-4066-4|page=85|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-date=10 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310112254/https://books.google.com/books?id=JKgZEjvB5cEC&pg=PA85#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, civil law may give force in its field to canon law, but only by specific enactment, as with regard to canonical marriages.<ref name="Malta">{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/archivio/documents/rc_seg-st_19930203_s-sede-malta_en.html|date=3 February 1993|access-date=6 August 2014|title=Agreement between the Holy See and the Republic of Malta on the recognition of civil effects to canonical marriages and to the decisions of the ecclesiastical authorities and tribunals about the same marriages|website=Vatican.va|publisher=[[Secretariat of State (Holy See)|Secretariat of State]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216060609/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/archivio/documents/rc_seg-st_19930203_s-sede-malta_en.html|archive-date=16 February 2014}}</ref> Currently, the [[1983 Code of Canon Law]] is in effect for the Latin Church.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P1.HTM|title=Code of Canon Law: Book I General Norms (1–6)|publisher=Intratext Library|access-date=3 April 2015|archive-date=29 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429083022/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P1.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref> The distinct 1990 ''[[Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches]]'' (''CCEO'', after the Latin initials) applies to the autonomous Eastern Catholic Churches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jgray.org/codes/cceo90eng.html|title=1990 Code of Canons of Oriental churches|website=jgray.org|publisher=Jason Gray|access-date=3 April 2015|archive-date=12 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312160522/http://www.jgray.org/codes/cceo90eng.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> ===Latin and Eastern churches=== {{anchor|Autonomous particular churches|Particular churches ''sui iuris''}} {{Main|Catholic particular churches and liturgical rites|Latin Church|Eastern Catholic Churches}} {{Major Sui Iuris Catholic Churches}} In the first thousand years of Catholic history, different varieties of Christianity developed in the Western and [[Eastern Christian]] areas of Europe, Asia and Africa. Though most Eastern-tradition churches are no longer in communion with the Catholic Church after the [[East–West Schism|Great Schism]] of 1054 (as well as the earlier [[Nestorian Schism]] and [[Council of Chalcedon#Consequences: Chalcedonian Schism|Chalcedonian Schism]]), 23 autonomous [[particular churches]] of eastern traditions participate in the Catholic communion, also known as "churches ''[[sui iuris]]''" ({{lang-la|"of one's own right}}"). The largest and most well known is the Latin Church, the only Western-tradition church, with more than 1 billion members worldwide. Relatively small in terms of adherents compared to the Latin Church, are the 23 self-governing Eastern Catholic Churches with a combined membership of 17.3 million {{As of|2010|lc=y}}.<ref name="Roberson">{{cite web |url=http://www.cnewa.org/default.aspx?ID=125&pagetypeID=1&sitecode=HQ&pageno=1 |author=Ronald G. Roberson |title=Eastern Catholic Churches Statistics 2010 |work=CNEWA |access-date=30 April 2011 |archive-date=18 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518233329/http://www.cnewa.org/default.aspx?ID=125&pagetypeID=1&sitecode=HQ&pageno=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Gunton">Colin Gunton. "Christianity among the Religions in the Encyclopedia of Religion", Religious Studies, Vol. 24, number 1, p. 14. In a review of an article from the ''Encyclopedia of Religion'', Gunton writes "... [T] he article [on Catholicism in the encyclopedia] rightly suggests caution, suggesting at the outset that Roman Catholicism is marked by ''several different doctrinal and theological emphases''."</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19641121_orientalium-ecclesiarum_en.html |title=Orientalium Ecclesiarum |work=[[Vatican Council II]] |access-date=30 April 2011 |at=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000901223734/https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19641121_orientalium-ecclesiarum_en.html |archive-date=1 September 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-other-catholics-a-short-guide-to-the-eastern-catholic-churches.html |title=The Other Catholics: A Short Guide to the Eastern Catholic Churches |author=Kevin R. Yurkus |website=Catholic Education Resource Center |access-date=20 June 2017 |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227183405/https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-other-catholics-a-short-guide-to-the-eastern-catholic-churches.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Latin Church is governed by the pope and diocesan bishops directly appointed by him. The pope exercises a direct [[patriarch]]al role over the Latin Church, which is considered to form the original and still major part of [[Western Christianity]], a heritage of certain beliefs and customs originating in Europe and northwestern Africa, some of which are inherited by many [[Christian denominations]] that trace their origins to the Protestant Reformation.<ref name="west_christ">[http://www.philtar.ac.uk/encyclopedia/christ/west/westessay.html "General Essay on Western Christianity"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428000510/http://www.philtar.ac.uk/encyclopedia/christ/west/westessay.html |date=28 April 2017 }}, [http://www.philtar.ac.uk/encyclopedia/christ/west/westrc.html "Western Church/Roman Catholicism"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225133021/http://www.philtar.ac.uk/encyclopedia/christ/west/westrc.html |date=25 February 2021 }} ''Overview of World Religions''. Division of Religion and Philosophy, University of Cumbria. 1998/9 ELMAR Project. Accessed 26 March 2015.</ref> The Eastern Catholic Churches follow the traditions and spirituality of [[Eastern Christianity]] and are churches that have always remained in full communion with the Catholic Church or who have chosen to re-enter full communion in the centuries following the [[East–West Schism]] or earlier divisions. These churches are communities of Catholic Christians whose forms of worship reflect distinct historical and cultural influences rather than differences in doctrine. The pope's recognition of Eastern Catholic Churches, though, has caused controversy in [[Catholic–Eastern Orthodox relations|ecumenical relations with the Eastern Orthodox]] and other eastern churches. Historically, pressure to conform to the norms of the Western Christianity practised by the majority Latin Church led to a degree of encroachment ([[Liturgical Latinisation]]) on some of the Eastern Catholic traditions. The [[Second Vatican Council]] document, ''[[Orientalium Ecclesiarum]]'', built on previous reforms to reaffirm the right of Eastern Catholics to maintain their distinct liturgical practices.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Blackwell Dictionary of Eastern Christianity |date=1999 |publisher=Blackwell Publishing |isbn=0-631-23203-6 |editor-last=Parry |editor-first=Ken |location=Malden, MA |editor2=David Melling}}</ref> A church ''sui iuris'' is defined in the ''[[Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches|Code of Canons for the Eastern Churches]]'' as a "group of Christian faithful united by a hierarchy" that is recognized by the pope in his capacity as the [[papal supremacy|supreme authority]] on matters of doctrine within the church.{{refn|{{cite web |url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG1199/_PR.HTM |title=Code of Canons for the Eastern Churches, Title 2 |publisher=intratext.com |date=1992}}}} The Eastern Catholic Churches are in [[full communion]] with the pope, but have governance structures and liturgical traditions separate from that of the Latin Church.<ref name="Gunton"/><!--Each church is headed by a [[patriarch]] or [[major archbishop]],<ref name=CCEO56>[http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG1199/_P1K.HTM "''CCEO'', Canon 56."]. Intratext.com (English Translation). 1990.</ref>--> While the Latin Church's canons do not explicitly use the term, it is tacitly recognized as equivalent. Some Eastern Catholic churches are governed by a patriarch who is elected by the [[synod]] of the bishops of that church,<ref name="CCEO55_150">[http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG1199/_P1R.HTM "''CCEO'', Canons 55–150"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224135155/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG1199/_P1R.HTM |date=24 February 2021 }}. Intratext.com (English Translation). 1990.</ref> others are headed by a [[major archbishop]],<ref name="CCEO151_154">"''CCEO'', Canons 151–154". 1990.</ref> others are under a [[metropolitan bishop|metropolitan]],<ref name="CCEO155_173">"''CCEO'', Canons 155–173". 1990.</ref> and others are organized as individual [[eparchy|eparchies]].<ref name="CCEO">"''CCEO'', Canons 174–176". 1990.</ref> Each church has authority over the particulars of its internal organization, [[Catholic liturgical rites|liturgical rites]], [[General Roman Calendar|liturgical calendar]] and other aspects of its spirituality, subject only to the authority of the pope.<ref name="CCEO27_7">[http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG1199/_PR.HTM "''CCEO'', Canon 27–28."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722181249/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG1199/_PR.HTM |date=22 July 2011 }}. Intratext.com (English Translation). 1990.</ref> The Roman Curia has a specific department, the [[Congregation for the Oriental Churches]], to maintain relations with them.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/orientchurch/profilo/rc_con_corient_pro_20030320_profile.html |title=Congregation for the Oriental Churches: Profile |publisher=Vatican.va |location=Rome |access-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514004919/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/orientchurch/profilo/rc_con_corient_pro_20030320_profile.html |archive-date=14 May 2011}}</ref> The pope does not generally appoint bishops or clergy in the Eastern Catholic Churches, deferring to their internal governance structures, but may intervene if he feels it necessary. ===Dioceses, parishes, organizations, and institutes=== {{further|List of Catholic dioceses (structured view)|Parish in the Catholic Church|Religious institute|Catholic charities}} {{Catholicism map}} Individual countries, regions, and major cities are served by [[particular church]]es known as [[diocese]]s in the [[Latin Church]], or [[eparchies]] in the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]], each of which are overseen by a bishop. {{as of|2021}}, the Catholic Church [[List of Catholic dioceses (structured view)|has 3,171 dioceses]] globally.<ref name="sees">Vatican, ''[[Annuario Pontificio]]'' 2009, p. 1172.</ref> The bishops in a particular country are members of a national or regional episcopal conference.<ref>''Annuario Pontifico per l'anno 2010'' (''Città di Vaticano: Libreria Editrice Vaticana'', 2010)</ref> Dioceses are divided into parishes, each with one or more [[Priesthood (Catholic Church)|priests]], [[deacon]]s, or [[Lay ecclesial ministry|lay ecclesial ministers]].<ref name="OneFaith52">Barry, p. 52</ref> Parishes are responsible for the day to day celebration of the sacraments and pastoral care of the laity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P1T.HTM|title=Canon 519 1983 Code of Canon Law|website=Intratext.com|quote=The parish priest is the proper clergyman in charge of the congregation of the parish entrusted to him. He exercises the pastoral care of the community entrusted to him under the authority of the [[diocesan bishop]], whose ministry of Christ he is called to share, so that for this community he may carry out the offices of teaching, sanctifying and ruling with the cooperation of other priests or deacons and with the assistance of lay members of Christ's faithful, in accordance with the law.|access-date=25 March 2015|archive-date=31 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131004630/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P1T.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref> {{as of|2016}}, there are 221,700 parishes worldwide.<ref>{{cite journal|date=2016–2017|title=Laudato Si|journal=Vermont Catholic|edition=Winter|volume=8|issue=4|page=73|url=http://www.onlinedigeditions.com/publication/index.php?i=365491&m=&l=&p=1&pre=&ver=html5#{%22page%22:74,%22issue_id%22:365491}|access-date=19 December 2016}}</ref> In the Latin Church, Catholic men may serve as deacons or priests by receiving sacramental [[Holy Orders|ordination]]. Men and women may serve as [[Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion|extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion]], as readers ([[Reader (liturgy)|lectors]]), or as [[altar servers]]. Historically, boys and men have only been permitted to serve as altar servers; however, since the 1990s, girls and women have also been permitted.<ref name="Apostalicae86">{{cite book|title=Acta Apostolicae Sedis 86|year=1994|pages=541–542|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS%2086%20%5B1994%5D%20-%20ocr.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721142407/https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS%2086%20%5B1994%5D%20-%20ocr.pdf|archive-date=21 July 2015}}; [http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=5212 English translation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209105945/https://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=5212 |date=9 February 2021 }})</ref>{{refn|group=note|In 1992, the Vatican clarified the 1983 Code of Canon Law removed the requirement that altar servers be male; permission to use female altar servers within a diocese is at the discretion of the bishop.<ref name=Apostalicae86/>}} Ordained Catholics, as well as members of the [[Catholic laity|laity]], may enter into [[consecrated life]] either on an individual basis, as a [[hermit]] or [[consecrated virgin]], or by joining an [[institute of consecrated life]] (a religious institute or a [[secular institute]]) in which to take [[Religious vows|vows]] confirming their desire to follow the three [[evangelical counsels]] of [[chastity]], poverty and obedience.<ref name="Canons573-746">{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P1Y.HTM|title=Canon 573–746|website=1983 Code of Canon Law|publisher=Vatican.va|access-date=9 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418141521/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P1Y.HTM|archive-date=18 April 2016}}</ref> Examples of institutes of consecrated life are the [[Order of Saint Benedict|Benedictines]], the [[Carmelites]], the [[Dominican Order|Dominicans]], the [[Franciscan]]s, the [[Missionaries of Charity]], the [[Legionaries of Christ]] and the [[Sisters of Mercy]].<ref name="Canons573-746"/> "Religious institutes" is a modern term encompassing both "[[Religious order (Catholic)|religious orders]]" and "[[religious congregations]]", which were once distinguished in [[canon law]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22+the+1983+code+uses+the+single+term+religious+institute%22&btnG=Search&as_sdtp=on|title=Google Scholar|website=scholar.google.com|access-date=5 June 2022|archive-date=5 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605181033/https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22+the+1983+code+uses+the+single+term+religious+institute%22&btnG=Search&as_sdtp=on|url-status=live}}</ref> The terms "religious order" and "religious institute" tend to be used as synonyms colloquially.<ref>Cafardi, Nicolas P. [https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22+Religious+order+is+a+colloquialism%22&btnG=Search&as_sdt=1%2C5&as_sdtp=on "Catholic Law Schools and Ex Corde Ecclesiae"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224195313/https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22+Religious+order+is+a+colloquialism%22&btnG=Search&as_sdt=1%2C5&as_sdtp=on |date=24 February 2021 }}, ''Theological Exploration'', vol. 2. no. 1 of Duquesne University and in ''Law Review'' of University of Toledo, vol. 33</ref> By means of [[Catholic charities]] and beyond, the Catholic Church is the largest non-government provider of [[Catholic school|education]] and [[Catholic Church and health care|health care]] in the world.<ref name=Geopolitics/> ===Membership=== {{Main|Catholic Church by country}} {{Further|List of Christian denominations by number of members}} {{bar box | width=250px | float=left | title=Geographic distribution of Catholics in 2021<ref name="AnnuarioPontificio"/> {{bar percent|[[Americas]]|Blue|48.0}} {{bar percent|[[Europe]]|Gold|20.9}} {{bar percent|[[Africa]]|Brown|19.3}} {{bar percent|[[Asia]]|#d4213d|11.0}} {{bar percent|[[Oceania]]|Purple|0.8}} }}As of 2020, Catholicism is the second-largest [[Religious denomination|religious body]] in the world after [[Sunni Islam]].<ref>{{cite web|quote=The Roman Catholic Church, which consists of 23 particular Churches in full communion with the Bishop of Rome. The Catholic Church is the world's second largest religious body after Sunni Islam.|url=https://www.yourdictionary.com/catholic-church|title=Definition of Catholic Church on the Your Dictionary website|publisher=Yourdictionary.com|access-date=3 June 2020|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308175053/https://www.yourdictionary.com/catholic-church|url-status=live}}</ref> Church membership, defined as baptized Catholics, was 1.378 billion at the end of 2021, which is 17.67% of the world population.<ref name="AnnuarioPontificio"/> Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world, followed by Mexico, the [[Philippines]], and the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pewforum.org/2013/02/13/the-global-catholic-population/|title=The Global Catholic Population|date=13 February 2013|publisher=[[Pew Research Center]]|access-date=4 April 2021|archive-date=28 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928103612/https://www.pewforum.org/2013/02/13/the-global-catholic-population/|url-status=live}}</ref> Catholics represent about half of all Christians.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Chryssides|first1=George D.|last2=Wilkins|first2=Margaret Z.|date=2014|title=Christians in the Twenty-First Century|page=9|publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-54558-3|quote=Roughly half of all Christians worldwide are Roman Catholics}}</ref> Geographic distribution of Catholics worldwide continues to shift, with 19.3% in [[Africa]], 48.0% in the [[Americas]], 11.0% in [[Asia]], 20.9% in [[Europe]], and 0.8% in [[Oceania]].<ref name="AnnuarioPontificio"/> Catholic ministers include ordained clergy, [[lay ecclesial ministers]], [[Missionary|missionaries]], and [[Catechesis|catechists]]. Also as of the end of 2021, there were 462,388 ordained clergy, including 5,340 bishops, 407,872 priests (diocesan and religious), and 49,176 deacons (permanent).<ref name="AnnuarioPontificio"/> Non-ordained ministers included 3,157,568 catechists, 367,679 lay missionaries, and 39,951 [[lay ecclesial ministers]].<ref name="Catholic Church Statistics 2015">{{cite web |url=http://www.fides.org/en/stats |title=News – Agenzia Fides |website=www.fides.org |access-date=12 September 2016 |archive-date=21 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221120838/http://www.fides.org/en/stats |url-status=live }}</ref> Catholics who have committed to religious or consecrated life instead of marriage or single celibacy, as a state of life or relational vocation, include 54,559 male religious and 705,529 women religious. These are not ordained, nor generally considered ministers unless also engaged in one of the lay minister categories above.<ref name="Pontifical Yearbook 2016">{{cite web |url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2016/03/05/160305b.html |title=Pontifical Yearbook 2016 and the Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae 2014: dynamics of a Church in transformation |website=press.vatican.va |access-date=12 September 2016 |archive-date=3 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103174010/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2016/03/05/160305b.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page