What is the Catholic Church today?

6 min

Awaiting theological review

What you will understand today

How the Catholic Church is organised today, from the Pope to your local parish, and where you fit in.

In simple words

The Catholic Church is present in almost every country, with around 1.4 billion members. It is not a federation of separate churches: it is one Church, made up of local churches called dioceses, each led by a bishop in communion with the Bishop of Rome, the Pope.

The Pope is the successor of Peter, to whom Jesus said: thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. Bishops are the successors of the apostles. Priests and deacons serve with them, and most of the Church is lay people — families, workers, young and old.

For most Catholics, the Church has a very local face: the parish, where the Eucharist is celebrated every Sunday, children are baptised, couples marry, the sick are visited and the dead are buried.

Key Bible passage

Jesus' words to Peter at Caesarea Philippi.

¹⁸And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:18 · Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

One Church, many communities

Universal
The Pope and the college of bishops
Diocese
A local Church with its bishop
Parish
A community with its priest
You
A baptised member, sent on mission

Go deeper

The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) shaped the Church as it is today: the Mass in local languages, a renewed love for Scripture, a stronger sense of the role of lay people, dialogue with other Christians and other religions.

Eastern Catholic Churches keep their own liturgies, spirituality and laws; in many of them married men can be ordained priests. Their existence shows that catholic means universal, not uniform.

The Church is holy, yet always in need of purification. Its history includes saints and scandals; Catholics are asked to love the Church as a mother, and to work for its renewal.

Questions people ask

Who is the Pope now?

cento53 does not answer current news from memory. The Holy See's website, vatican.va, always shows the current Pope and his teaching.

How is a Pope chosen?

After a Pope dies or resigns, the cardinals under eighty meet in a conclave in the Sistine Chapel and vote in secret until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority.

What does a diocese do?

It is a local Church: the bishop teaches, sanctifies and guides it with his priests, organising parishes, schools, charities and the preparation of priests.

Did you know?

Historical context

The Catholic Church is made up of 24 Churches in full communion: the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, such as the Maronite, Ukrainian Greek Catholic and Syro-Malabar Churches, each with its own liturgy and traditions.

CCC 835 Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches; Annuario Pontificio(awaiting verification)

A common misconception

The Church means the clergy.

In fact

The Church is all the baptised. Lay people are the great majority, and by Baptism every Christian shares in Christ's mission in the world.

A question to take with you

What is your experience of your local church? What would you like to give, or receive, there?

One small thing for today

Find out the name of your diocese and your bishop, and visit your parish's website or notice board.