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===[[Papacy]]===
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===[[History of Roman Catholicism]]===
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====Early Roman or Western Christainity====
The earthly leader of the Roman Catholic Church is the [[pope]]. The pope governs from the [[Vatican City]] in Rome, a sovereign state of which he is also the civil head of state<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1066140.stm BBC - Country Profile: Vatican]</ref>. Each pope is elected for life by the College of Cardinals, a body composed of bishops elevated to the status of cardinal by the Pope. The pope is assisted in the Church's administration by the Roman Curia, or civil service. The Church community is governed according to formal regulations set out in the Code of Canon Law. The Church is divided worldwide into 2,782 regions called dioceses. These diocese are grouped into 1 of 23 particular rites - the Latin Rite being the most common, but with there being a further 22 Eastern rites. Each diocese is headed by a bishop and is divided into individual communities called parishes. Each parish is staffed by one or more priests. The parish itself is made up of the priests and the laity (general members / church-goers).
===[[Roman Catholic Doctrine]]===
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==Quotes==
==References==
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==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholicism Wikipedia - Roman Catholicism]
{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Denominations]]
