catholic_church catholic_church known roman_catholic_church largest christian church billion members oldest religious institutions world played prominent role history western headed known pope doctrines summarised creed catholic_church notable western christianity sacred tradition seven catholic_church teaches true church founded jesus christ bishops successors christ pope successor catholic_church maintains doctrine faith morals declares definitive orders enclosed monastic orders reflect variety theological church seven principal celebrated mass church teaches priest bread wine body blood christ catholic_church closed communion baptised members state grace permitted receive mary catholic_church queen heaven honoured numerous catholic_church defined conception mary conceived original sin status mother jesus mother god perpetual assumption heaven end life catholic spiritual teaching includes spreading gospel catholic social teaching support sick poor afflicted corporal works mercy catholic_church largest non government provider education medical services world late 20th century catholic_church criticised doctrines sexuality refusal women handling sexual abuse cases word catholic derived greek word means universal associated phrase means according catholic describe church early 2nd century known use phrase catholic church occurred letter written saint jerusalem circa catholic_church distinguish groups church east west taken orthodox distinctive epithet communion holy similarly taken catholic keeping description 16th century ceased communion known catholic_church common designation official church documents signing documents documents produced holy certain national episcopal conferences occasionally refer church roman_catholic_church pope published term roman distinguish catholic_church christian communities communion holy organisation leadership catholic_church led clergy received given formal jurisdictions governance church levels clergy bishops members given geographical jurisdiction called diocese priests serve bishops superiors leading local parishes serve bishops priests variety ministerial roles ultimately leading entire catholic_church commonly called pope jurisdiction called holy parallel structure variety religious function subject authority pope subject local bishop religious male female members additionally lay members aid functions worship services hierarchy catholic_church headed known pope latin father leader worldwide catholic_church composed communion rome current pope francis elected march papal office pope known catholic_church holds christ instituted giving keys heaven saint peter ecclesiastical jurisdiction called holy latin meaning peter directly serving pope central governing body day day business catholic_church pope small city state entirely city rome entity distinct holy head holy head vatican city state pope receives ambassadors states sends diplomatic representatives position cardinal rank honour bestowed certain clergy leaders bishops serving major cities distinguished advice assistance governing pope turn following death resignation pope members age meet papal elect successor elect male catholic pope cardinals elected canon law canon law catholic_church system laws legal principles enforced authorities regulate church external organisation government order direct activities catholics church mission catholic_church universal positive ecclesiastical laws based divine natural law merely positive law derive formal authority office pope possesses legislative executive judicial power person ordinary elements mature legal system laws courts lawyers judges fully articulated legal code principles legal interpretation penalties limited moral canon law concerns catholic_church life organisation distinct civil law field gives force civil law specific enactment matters minors similarly civil law force field canon law specific enactment regard canonical marriages currently code effect primarily distinct code eastern churches latin initials applies autonomous particular churches catholic_church autonomous particular churches known term churches latin right accepts supreme authority matters doctrine churches communities catholic christians forms worship reflect different historical cultural influences differences doctrine general church headed patriarch high ranking bishop degree self governance internal organisation rites calendar aspects spirituality largest far particular churches reports billion members governed pope bishops directly appointed developed southern europe north_africa spread western central expanding rest world western christianity heritage certain beliefs customs originating european countries inherited christian denominations trace origins relatively small terms adherents compared important overall structure church self governing combined membership million follow traditions spirituality composed eastern christians remained communion catholic_church chosen communion centuries following east west earlier divisions governed patriarch elected bishops church headed major archbishop metropolitan organised individual specific department congregation oriental churches maintain relations pope generally appoint bishops clergy internal governance structures intervene feels necessary parishes religious individual countries regions major cities served particular churches known overseen bishop diocese united worldwide particular churches eastern catholic churches catholic_church bishops particular country members national regional episcopal conference divided parishes priests lay ministers parishes responsible day day celebration pastoral care catholic men serve priests receiving men women serve extraordinary ministers readers altar historically boys men permitted serve altar 1990s girls women permitted ordained catholics members enter consecrated life individual basis consecrated virgin joining institute consecrated life religious institute secular institute vows confirming desire follow evangelical poverty obedience examples consecrated life christ sisters mercy religious modern term encompassing religious orders religious congregations distinguished canon law terms religious order religious institute tend synonyms colloquially membership church membership billion world population increase million million rate increase increase africa increase americas europe catholics live americas europe africa asia oceania catholics represent half christians catholic_church priests main growth areas asia africa increases respectively numbers steady americas dropped europe members consecrated life totalled female approximately bishops latin eastern churches doctrine catholic doctrine developed centuries reflecting direct teachings early christians formal definitions orthodox beliefs councils papal theological debate scholars church believes continually guided holy spirit new theological issues protected falling error firm decision issue reached teaches revelation common source god distinct modes transmission sacred scripture sacred tradition interpreted sacred scripture consists books consisting writings consists teachings believed church handed time sacred scripture sacred tradition collectively known deposit faith turn interpreted latin teacher church teaching authority exercised pope union pope bishop rome catholic doctrine summarised catholic_church published holy nature god catholic_church holds eternal god exists mutual persons god father god son god holy spirit called catholics believe jesus christ second person trinity god son event known incarnation power holy spirit god united human nature conception christ christ understood fully divine fully human including possessing human soul taught christ mission earth included giving people teachings providing example follow recorded jesus believed remained earth allowed executed sacrifice reconcile humanity god reconciliation known mystery greek term christ hebrew mean referring christian belief jesus death resurrection catholic_church teaches holy spirit proceeds father son principles single principle holds father principle principle origin spirit father son son single principle spirit proceeds belief expressed clause added latin version included greek versions creed nature church catholic_church teaches true church universal salvation human race true religion according catholic_church described creed holy catholic church collectively known marks church church teaches founder jesus christ records events considered integral establishment catholic_church including jesus activities teaching appointment witnesses ministry suffering resurrection resurrection instructed continue work coming holy spirit event known seen beginning public ministry catholic_church church teaches duly consecrated bishops succession christ known succession particular pope considered successor position derives supremacy church catholic belief holds church continuing presence jesus earth possesses means salvation passion suffering christ leading described said christ god father order reconcile humanity god resurrection jesus makes dead god following christ words deeds individual enter church sees achieved christ sacrifice strengthen person relationship christ aid overcoming sin final judgment catholic_church teaches immediately death soul person receive particular judgement god based sins relationship christ teaching day christ sit universal judgement mankind final judgement according church teaching bring end human history mark beginning new better heaven earth ruled god depending judgement rendered following death believed soul enter states heaven state union divine nature god grace eternal life soul god temporary condition souls destined heaven fully detached sin enter heaven immediately soul suffers perfected souls aided reaching heaven prayers faithful earth saints persist living state mortal sin death subject hell separation god church teaches condemned hell having freely decided reject god hell determine absolute certainty condemned hell catholicism teaches god mercy person point death illuminated truth catholic faith obtain salvation catholic speculated souls non christians mortal sin die original sin assigned official church catholic_church teaches possesses means salvation acknowledges holy spirit use christian communities separated catholic unity tend lead catholic_church bring people salvation separated communities contain elements proper doctrine albeit errors teaches saved saved catholic_church people saved outside ordinary means known baptism desire pre known baptism blood conditions invincible ignorance present invincible ignorance means salvation deals doctrines teachings concerning life mary mother jesus mary faithful mary held special regard declared mother god greek lit god bearer believed remained virgin life teachings include doctrines conception conception stain original sin body assumed directly heaven end life doctrines defined pope respectively consulting catholic bishops world catholic belief mary catholic distinct worship god practices include prayers art music architecture celebrated church year honoured titles queen heaven pope called mother church giving birth christ considered spiritual mother member body christ influential role life jesus prayers hail mary common catholic practices sites affirmed church popular catholic external practices official catholic_church popular spiritual practices catholics outside practices include sacred heart jesus holy face jesus saints images bishops second reminded catholics drawn seasons accord sacred fashion derived lead people fact nature far catholic_church teaches entrusted seven instituted christ number nature defined councils recently baptism confirmation sick called rites holy orders visible rituals catholics signs god presence effective channels god grace receive proper disposition catholic_church groups christian initiation healing service communion mission faithful groups broadly reflect stages people natural spiritual lives intended serve central church mission according action especially celebration encounter christ church assembly derives unity communion holy spirit children god body christ assembly racial cultural social human according church doctrine church require proper form matter intent celebrated addition canon laws govern celebrate certain strict rules receive notably church teaches christ present conscious state mortal sin forbidden receive received catholics normally obliged eating hour receiving non catholics prohibited receiving catholics danger death unable approach catholic minister ask sick protestant minister known ordained line catholic teaching likewise grave pressing need catholic ministers administer manifest catholic faith relation churches eastern christianity communion holy catholic_church restrictive declaring certain communion given suitable circumstances approval church authority merely possible encouraged christian initiation baptism viewed catholic_church baptism initiation christian away sins original sin personal actual sins makes person member church gift god requires merit person baptised conferred children personal sins need account original sin new born child danger death doctor nurse parent child baptism marks person permanently repeated catholic_church recognises valid conferred people catholics christians provided intend church use formula confirmation catholic_church sees confirmation required complete grace given baptism adults baptised confirmation normally given immediately practice followed newly baptised west confirmation children delayed old understand bishop discretion western christianity particularly catholicism called confirmation confirms grace baptism called essential rite person mixture olive oil substance usually blessed bishop receive confirmation state grace reached age reason means intention receiving prepared lives christians catholics completes christian initiation described source summit christian life ceremony catholic receives known communion celebration called mass divine includes prayers readings offering bread wine brought altar consecrated priest body blood jesus christ change called words reflect words spoken jesus supper christ offered body blood night presents makes present sacrifice jesus cross christ death resurrection gives grace faithful christ sin aids committing moral sin mortal sin healing healing sick called reconciliation forgiveness confession conversion exists conversion baptism separate christ sin essential acts examination conscience determination sin confession priest performance act repair damage caused sin priest determination act performed sins mortal sins confessed year receiving holy communion confession sins recommended priest bound penalties maintain seal confession absolute secrecy sins revealed confession sick repeated different oil priest bishop catholic illness old age begun danger death known believed comfort peace courage sick person unable confession forgiveness sins referred past constitute rites service communion according communion directed salvation marriage general christian specific mission people god men receive holy orders feed church word grace marry love fortified fulfill duties state holy orders christians serve body members degrees orders bishops priests church defined rules ordained clergy generally restricted men restricted men men married ordained certain eastern catholic churches countries personal clerical marriage roman catholic priest man marry clerical formally clergy priests bishops preach teach witness marriages conduct funeral bishops priests administer bishops administer clergy catholic_church teaches marriage social spiritual bond man woman ordered good children according catholic teachings sexual morality appropriate context sexual activity catholic marriage marriage baptised individuals christian viewed marriage dissolved death church recognises certain conditions freedom consent required marriage valid addition church sets specific rules norms known canonical form catholics follow church recognise divorce ending valid marriage allows state recognised divorce means protecting property children consideration particular cases competent ecclesiastical tribunal lead declaration marriage declaration usually referred following divorce permitted prior marriage declared invalid autonomous churches numerous traditions exist called rites reflect historical cultural diversity differences belief definition code eastern churches rite theological spiritual disciplinary culture circumstances history distinct people manner living faith manifested church called mass west names east principal catholic_church considered sacrifice christ widely roman rite usually ordinary form authorised extraordinary form mass edition rites vary rite rite based differing theological emphasis western rites roman rite common rite worship catholic_church use found worldwide originating rome spreading europe influencing eventually local rites present ordinary form mass roman rite found editions usually celebrated local vernacular language officially approved translation original text latin outline major elements found bar pope affirmed continued use extraordinary form roman rite speaking older use issued new norms employment instruction issued years later spoke forms roman rite approved pope ordinary form extraordinary form edition published months opened presented mass pope request known mass pope subjected minor revisions pope viii pope urban viii pope pope pope successive edition ordinary form roman rite mass superseded later edition edition superseded continued use required permission bishops pope allowed free use mass celebrated congregation authorised parish priests permit certain conditions use public masses readings pope allowed proclaimed vernacular language celebrated exclusively latin clergy small personal set groups terms document permitted use variation roman rite called divine worship formally use incorporates elements anglican traditions milan million catholics largest europe mass celebrated according rite rites include religious rites antiquity years date pope quo allowed continue eastern rites share common rites counterparts including eastern orthodox eastern christian churches longer communion holy include churches historically developed russia balkans india middle_east groups faithful communion holy restored communion cost breaking communion associates tradition rites include byzantine rite greek varieties rite rite armenian rite rite rite eastern catholic churches autonomy set forms worship certain limits protect accurate tradition past rites subject degree recent years returned traditional eastern practices accord vatican decree church calendar social cultural issues catholic social teaching reflecting concern jesus showed impoverished places heavy emphasis corporal works mercy spiritual works mercy support concern sick poor afflicted church teaching calls option poor canon law christian faithful obliged promote social justice lord assist poor catholic teaching sexuality calls practice focus maintaining spiritual integrity human person marriage considered appropriate context sexual activity church teachings sexuality issue increasing controversy especially close changing cultural attitudes western world described sexual revolution church addressed natural environment relationship social theological teachings document dated critiques irresponsible development environmental degradation global warming pope expressed concern warming planet greater problem developed world indifference destruction planet humans pursue short term economic gains social services catholic_church largest non government provider education medical services world said church manages health care facilities world including hospitals centres religious women played particularly prominent role provision health education services orders sisters mercy little sisters poor missionaries charity sisters blessed catholic nun mother calcutta india founder awarded nobel peace prize humanitarian work india poor bishop won award work peaceful solution conflict church actively engaged international aid development organisations international aid church need refugee advocacy groups community aid groups saint vincent paul society sexual morality sexuality considered integral person identity ability form lasting relationships catholic_church calls members practice according state life includes self mastery personal cultural growth divine grace requires lust pornography prostitution especially rape married requires living sexual activity married called church teaching sexual activity reserved married couples marriage christians natural marriage romantic relationships particularly engagement marriage partners called practice order test mutual respect fidelity marriage requires particular fidelity protecting marriage couple foster trust honesty spiritual physical intimacy sexual activity open possibility life church calls significance likewise bring couple love church calls significance certain sexual practices permitted natural family planning methods permitted provide healthy postpone children reason pope francis said worried church grown obsessed issues abortion sex marriage criticised catholic_church placing love moral doctrines helping poor divorce canon law makes provision divorce baptised individuals valid marriage considered lifelong bond declaration granted proof produced essential conditions contracting valid marriage absent beginning words marriage valid declaration commonly called judgement ecclesiastical tribunal determining marriage attempted addition marriages individuals dissolved papal permission certain situations desire marry catholic privilege attempt following divorce declaration places remarried situation public permanent adultery innocent lives following divorce couples live following civil divorce grave cause sin worldwide completed cases marriage past years occurred united_states growth substantial united_states marriages compared approximately married catholics united_states divorce year million total divorce increasing predominantly catholic countries europe predominantly catholic countries recent years divorce introduced italy portugal brazil spain ireland chile malta philippines procedure divorce philippines allow divorce muslims church teaches sexual intercourse place married man woman use birth control pope firmly rejected church saw birth control method permitted regulation means natural family planning teaching continued especially clarified church position abortion condemning culture death calling instead culture life western catholics voiced significant disagreement church teaching catholics choice stated women point lives catholics believed good catholic church teaching birth control use natural family planning methods low number known certainty catholic health providers largest providers services patients hiv aids worldwide significant controversy outside church use means limiting new use constitutes prohibited use similarly catholic_church opposes saying artificial process replaces love husband wife addition opposes cause disposal embryos catholics believe embryo individual soul treated reason church opposes abortion homosexuality catholic_church teaches homosexual acts contrary natural law acts grave circumstances approved persons experiencing homosexual tendencies accorded respect dignity according catholic_church number men women deep seated homosexual tendencies constitutes trial accepted respect compassion sensitivity sign discrimination regard avoided homosexual persons called virtues self mastery teach inner freedom times support friendship prayer grace gradually approach christian perfection quoted press interview remarked asked individual think encounter person like individual asked distinction fact person gay fact lobby good bad person gay seeks lord good judge remark interview seen change tone substance teaching church includes opposition sex marriage certain catholic groups oppose position catholic_church seek change women women religious engage variety prayer teaching providing health care working missionaries holy orders reserved men catholic women played diverse roles life church religious providing formal space participation providing spaces self government prayer influence centuries religious sisters extensively involved developing running church worldwide health education service networks efforts support women led proposal declaration question admission women ministerial according latest ruling found pope affirmed catholic_church consider authorized admit women defiance opposition groups roman catholic performed ceremonies male catholic bishop instances according canon law illicit invalid considered mere congregation doctrine faith responded issuing statement catholic bishops involved ceremonies women women catholic automatically receive penalty literally sentence applied automatically citing canon canon law church laws sex abuse cases 1990s issue sexual abuse minors catholic clergy church members subject civil litigation criminal prosecution media coverage public debate countries world catholic_church criticised handling abuse complaints known bishops shielded accused priests transferring pastoral assignments continued commit sexual offences response scandal formal procedures established help prevent abuse encourage reporting abuse occurs handle reports promptly groups representing victims disputed effectiveness instituted minors history christian religion based teachings jesus christ lived preached 1st century province catholic doctrine teaches contemporary catholic_church continuation early christian community established jesus christianity spread early despite conflicts pagan state religion emperor constantine practice christianity state religion invaders roman territory 5th 6th centuries previously adopted eventually adopted catholicism ally monasteries 7th 8th centuries expanding muslim conquests following advent islam led arab domination mediterranean severed political connections area northern europe weakened cultural connections rome byzantine_empire conflicts involving authority church particularly authority finally culminated east west 11th century splitting church catholic orthodox churches earlier splits church occurred remained communion rome portions established communion 15th century later forming called early monasteries europe helped preserve greek roman classical church eventually dominant influence western modern age renaissance figures sponsored church 16th century began challenges church particular religious authority figures 17th century secular intellectuals enlightenment concurrently spanish portuguese explorers missionaries spread church influence africa asia new world declared papal annexed city rome portion incorporated new nation 20th century anti clerical governments world including mexico spain persecuted executed thousands second world war church condemned protected hundreds thousands jews holocaust efforts criticised inadequate war freedom religion severely restricted communist countries newly aligned soviet_union large catholic populations 1960s led controversial reforms church practices effort described opening windows defenders leading harsh criticism conservative circles face increased criticism church upheld reaffirmed times controversial positions sexuality gender including limiting clergy males moral abortion sexual activity outside marriage following divorce sex marriage era particular records jesus activities teaching appointment instructing continue work book acts tells founding christian church spread message roman empire catholic_church teaches public ministry began occurring days following date christ believed resurrected believed received holy spirit preparing mission leading church catholic_church teaches college bishops led successors account found gospel matthew christ peter rock christ church built catholic_church considers pope successor scholars state peter institution dependent idea peter bishop rome having rome scholars hold church structure bishops persisted rome century structure single bishop adopted later writers applied term bishop rome prominent members clergy earlier period peter basis question formal link peter modern says speak peter terms local bishop rome christians period looked peter having roles contribute essential way development role subsequent church roles brown says contributed enormously seeing bishop rome bishop city peter died paul witnessed truth christ successor peter care church universal antiquity conditions facilitated spread new ideas empire network roads waterways facilitated travel travelling safe empire encouraged spread common culture greek roots allowed ideas easily expressed understood unlike religions christianity required adherents renounce gods practice adopted judaism christians refusal join pagan celebrations meant unable participate public life caused non christians including government authorities fear christians gods threatening peace prosperity empire resulting defining feature christian self understanding christianity 4th century emperor constantine milan christianity constantine moved imperial capital constantinople modern istanbul turkey catholic christianity state church position diminishing territory byzantine_empire persist empire ended fall constantinople church independent empire particularly clear east west period primary sees emerged arrangement century emperor rome constantinople jerusalem alexandria canon disputed validity elevated constantinople position second power bishop rome bishops rome steadily increased authority consistent intervening support orthodox leaders theological disputes encouraged appeals emperor areas control definitively established form right duty regulating laws details worship discipline theological opinions held church imperial power rome parts west initiating period termed bishops rome required approval emperor constantinople representative selected emperor subjects resulting melting pot western eastern christian traditions art tribes following centuries invaded adopted christianity form catholic_church declared resulting religious rulers catholic subjects avoided ruler converted orthodox catholicism monasteries spain followed lead italy course 7th century western christianity particularly monasteries major factor preserving classical art illuminated manuscript literacy rule founders western exerted enormous influence european culture appropriation monastic spiritual heritage early church spread tradition preservation transmission ancient culture period monastic ireland centre learning early irish missionaries spread christianity established monasteries continental europe massive islamic invasions century began long struggle christianity islam byzantine_empire soon lost lands eastern jerusalem alexandria reduced constantinople empire capital result islamic domination mediterranean state centred away sea able evolve dominant power shaped western_europe middle ages battles halted islamic advance west decades later byzantine_empire lost city governed small fragments italy including rome acknowledged sovereignty fall meant confirmation longer existent asked election pope forced look civil power protect urgent request pope stephen king short conquered gifted lands pope initiating rome conflict criticised latin west adding clause reconciled unresolved issues lead division medieval renaissance periods catholic_church dominant influence western late antiquity dawn modern age primary sponsor gothic renaissance baroque styles art architecture music renaissance figures examples numerous visual artists sponsored church 11th century efforts led creation elect new starting pope papal election died elected succeed pope gregory vii basic election system gregory vii helped establish continued function 21st century vii initiated reforms independence clergy secular authority led church authority appoint bishops byzantine emperor appealed pope urban help renewed muslim invasions byzantine wars caused urban launch crusade aimed aiding byzantine_empire returning holy land christian control 11th century strained relations primarily greek church separated east west partially conflicts papal authority fourth crusade constantinople proved final breach early 13th century orders founded francis orders played large role transformation church sponsored cathedral schools palace schools prominent universities europe philosophers dominican priest studied taught intellectual milestone synthesis legacy ancient greek philosophers aristotle content christian revelation growing sense church state conflicts marked 14th century escape instability rome seven reside fortified city southern france period known ended pope returned rome followed year long western rome matter finally resolved cardinals called papal throne resign held new election naming martin pope convened featured strong dialogue understanding theological differences east west hope reuniting catholic orthodox churches eastern churches reunited forming age discovery age discovery beginning 15th century saw expansion western_europe political cultural influence worldwide prominent role strongly catholic nations spain portugal played spread americas asia oceania explorers missionaries transformation societies socio political mechanisms colonial rule pope awarded colonial rights newly discovered lands spain portugal ensuing system allowed state authorities vatican control clerical appointments new colonies portuguese explorer catholic converts philippines portuguese missionaries spanish jesuit india china japan counter reformation germany sent bishops protested key points catholic doctrine sale switzerland criticised catholic teachings challenges developed european movement called gave birth variety christian denominations known today collectively english reformation reign henry_viii began political dispute pope denied henry petition declaration marriage catherine acts supremacy passed making head church_of_england forming protestant reformation led clashes catholic emperor charles allies year war ended continued tensions produced far conflict thirty years war broke france series conflicts termed french wars religion fought french forces series sided financial supporters ended pope accepted king granted civil religious french driving force response protestant movement reaffirmed central catholic teachings requirement love hope faith attain salvation subsequent centuries catholicism spread widely world despite experiencing reduction hold european populations growth religious enlightenment enlightenment modern period 17th century onward enlightenment questioned power influence catholic_church western society 18th century writers wrote biting critiques religion catholic_church target criticism king ended century long policy religious french revolution brought shifting powers church state destruction churches establishment cult reason general invaded italy pope died captivity napoleon later established catholic_church france end napoleonic wars brought catholic revival return pope support overwhelming majority roman catholic bishops consulted proclaimed conception affirmed doctrine papal exercised specifically defined controversy issues resulted movement called italian unification 1860s incorporated including rome ending temporal power pope rejected italian law guarantees granted special privileges avoid placing visible italian authorities remained prisoner vatican stand spoken roman question resolved treaties holy acknowledged italian sovereignty italy recognised papal sovereignty vatican city new sovereign independent state twentieth century number anti clerical governments emerged 20th century law separating church state mexico led war priests exiled assassinated churches services mocked raped captured priests shot following revolution persecution church catholics soviet_union continued 1930s execution monks religious closure churches spanish civil war catholic hierarchy allied franco nationalists popular government citing republican violence church pope referred countries terrible triangle violations church nazi_germany issued mit publicly condemned nazis persecution church ideology racial superiority church condemned invasion poland started world war subsequent wartime nazi invasions thousands catholic priests brothers imprisoned murdered countries occupied nazis including saints pope credited helping save hundreds thousands jews holocaust church accused encouraging centuries stop nazi atrocities postwar communist governments eastern_europe severely restricted religious freedoms priests religious collaborated communist regimes imprisoned deported executed church important player fall communism europe communist victory chinese civil war led expulsion foreign missionaries new government created appointed bishops initially rejected rome accepted 1960s cultural revolution saw closure religious establishments chinese churches eventually reopened remained control catholic priests continued sent prison refusing renounce allegiance rome 1960s introduced significant changes catholic practices centuries initiated pope council practices catholic_church allowing mass said vernacular local language encouraging fully conscious active participation celebrations intended engage church closely present world described advocates opening windows addition changes led changes church approach improved relations non christian religions especially judaism document council generated significant controversy implementing reforms proponents spirit vatican swiss theologian said vatican gone far change church policies catholics strongly criticised council arguing reforms led destruction issues teachings catholic_church came increased scrutiny concurrent following council teachings church teaching recent introduction including believed morally different previous methods prompted form committee advise moral theological issues new method later expanded committee scope freely examine methods committee unreleased final report rumoured suggest permitting methods paul agree arguments presented eventually issued saying upheld constant teaching church including methods prohibited large negative response document followed release pope archbishop communist poland non italian pope years year longest history president soviet_union credited polish pope fall communism europe sought increasingly secular world instituted world youth day worldwide encounter pope young people held years travelled pope visiting countries television radio means spreading church teachings emphasised dignity work natural rights fair wages safe conditions emphasised church teachings including moral abortion widespread use death penalty century following death pope head elected known traditional christian values use mass found 50th anniversary vatican assembly discussed catholics developed world resigned advanced age pope nearly years succeeded addressed church ministry families marriages catholics irregular relationships divorced remarried outside church declaration
Catholic Church