University of Virginia Library

ROMAN CATHOLICISM:

in the past it was relatively easy to describe Catholicism. Twentieth century developments make this a much more complex task. The dogmatic formulation may be found in the decrees of the COUNCIL OF TRENT, the CREED OF POPE PIUS IV, the decrees of the VATICAN COUNCILS, Papal utterances claiming INFALLIBILITY, and the body of Roman Catholic CANON law. Alongside these there are the LITURGY, and the hierarchically organization of the CHURCH. Roman Catholicism claims that the SACRAMENTS which are ministered by the CHURCH are channels of GRACE that flow from GOD to the recipient. There are seven SACRAMENTS: Baptism, Confirmation, the Mass, Holy Orders, Penance, Matrimony, Extreme Unction. The focal point of traditional Roman Catholic WORSHIP is the Mass. It is interpreted as TRANSUBSTANTIATION, a DOGMA first promulgated in 1215 asserting that the substance of the bread and wine used in the RITUAL actually become the body, blood, SOUL and DIVINITY of CHRIST. Confession to PRIESTS has played a key role in Roman Catholicism which alongside the doctrine of PURGATORY led to the practice of the SALE of INDULGENCES in the sixteenth century. Another prominent feature is the CULT of MARY which stems from the mother GODDESS of the Mediterranean world who bore such titles as "Star of the Sea" and played the role of "Our Lady" of various cities.