Roman Catholic
- Grew from
- The apostolic communities
- Origin
- Rome
The western church of the Roman patriarchate, which after 1054 continued as a communion under the bishop of Rome. Defined its position against the Reformation at Trent, and reshaped its practice at the Second Vatican Council.
Bodies that grew from it
In the record
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1054 AD Division
The Great Schism
Mutual excommunications formalised centuries of estrangement over papal authority and the filioque clause. Each side has given a different account of it ever since.
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1545 AD–1563 AD Council
Council of Trent
Rome's answer to the Reformation: it defined justification, the sacraments and the canon, and reformed clerical discipline.
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1962 AD–1965 AD Council
Second Vatican Council
Reformed Catholic liturgy and opened formal dialogue with other churches, ending the mutual excommunications of 1054 by a joint declaration in 1965.
What it holds
Each position in the terms this tradition itself uses, with its confessional source.
- Baptism Church-dividing
- Baptism truly removes original sin and incorporates the baptised into Christ. Infants are baptised, since the grace given does not depend on the recipient's understanding. Trent, Decree on Baptism (1547)
- Church authority Church-dividing
- Christ founded the church on Peter, whose office continues in the bishop of Rome; the pope holds universal primacy and, defining doctrine ex cathedra, teaches without error. Trent (1563); First Vatican Council (1870)
- Justification Church-dividing
- Justification is not only the remission of sins but the sanctification and renewal of the inner person; grace is truly infused, and faith working through love is not without merit. Trent, Session VI (1547)
- Mary Church-dividing
- Mary is honoured above all saints, her intercession is asked, and she is held to be immaculately conceived and assumed bodily into heaven. Trent (1563); later Marian definitions of 1854 and 1950
- Scripture and tradition Church-dividing
- Scripture and apostolic tradition are received with equal reverence, and their authentic interpretation belongs to the church's teaching office. Trent, Session IV (1546)
- The Lord's Supper Church-dividing
- The whole substance of bread and wine is changed into the body and blood of Christ, the appearances alone remaining -- transubstantiation. Trent, Session XIII (1551)
- The saints and intercession Church-dividing
- The saints in heaven pray for those on earth, and asking their prayers is good and useful. Trent, Session XXV (1563)
- The state after death Church-dividing
- Those who die in grace but imperfectly purified undergo purification before entering glory, and are helped by the prayers of the living. Trent, Session XXV (1563)
- How many sacraments Genuine disagreement
- Seven: baptism, confirmation, eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, orders and matrimony. Trent, Session VII (1547)
- Icons and images Genuine disagreement
- Images of Christ and the saints are retained and given due honour, which passes to the one represented. Second Council of Nicaea (787); Trent, Session XXV
- Ordination of women Genuine disagreement
- Ordination to the priesthood is reserved to men, a position the church teaches it has no authority to change. Catholic teaching, summarised
- Perseverance of the saints Genuine disagreement
- Grace can be lost through mortal sin and restored through repentance; no one may claim absolute certainty of final perseverance. Trent, Session VI, ch. 13 (1547)
- Predestination and free will Genuine disagreement
- God predestines none to evil, and grace is genuinely offered to all; human freedom cooperates with grace rather than being overridden by it. Trent, Session VI, canons 4-6 (1547)
- How the cross saves Difference of emphasis
- Draws on satisfaction as developed by Anselm, without making any single theory binding. Held across the confessional standards; no tradition makes one theory a test of communion.
- Spiritual gifts Difference of emphasis
- Charisms continue in the church and are discerned by its pastors; miracles are affirmed but tested. Catholic teaching, summarised
- The millennium Difference of emphasis
- Amillennial: the reign is the present age of the church. A literal earthly millennium before judgement is rejected. Augsburg Confession, XVII (1530) for the Lutheran position; otherwise contemporary practice, summarised.
- Inspiration of scripture Broad agreement
- Held in common with all the traditions listed here; not a point of division. Held across all confessional standards
- Salvation originates in grace Broad agreement
- Held in common with all the traditions listed here; not a point of division. Second Council of Orange (529)
- The Incarnation Broad agreement
- Held in common with all the traditions listed here; not a point of division. Nicene Creed (381); Chalcedon (451)
- The Resurrection Broad agreement
- Held in common with all the traditions listed here; not a point of division. Nicene Creed (381); Chalcedon (451)
- The Trinity Broad agreement
- Held in common with all the traditions listed here; not a point of division. Nicene Creed (381); Chalcedon (451)