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Roman Catholic
Long before the sad divisions of the second millennium, Catholicism was the first Christian Church. It emerged out of the teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus the “Christ,” the anointed one), a Jewish man circa 30 A.D. (anno domini, in the year of our Lord) in what is now Israel/Palestine. Catholicism looks to the Pope, successor to St. Peter and Bishop of Rome, to provide leadership to the Church in a spirit of collegiality with his brother bishops around the world. Catholics rely on the Hebrew Bible- the Old Testament-, and the New Testament, written after the crucifixion of Christ.
Catholics are to be guided by a ‘well-formed’ conscience; to be righteous, love goodness and walk humbly with God and also to be charitable towards those in need. Catholics are called to a sense of solidarity and community with other human beings. Catholicism has proscriptions against specific sins.
God is the Trinity of the Father (God), son (Jesus) and the Holy Ghost and is understood as perfect unconditional love. By sending his son Jesus, God became an even more active part of the world.
Catholics revere saints as role models and intercessors to God. After death, Catholics believe people will be judged on the actions of their life and commitment to seeking God, and either be in Heaven or Hell.
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To learn more about the Catholic faith and other member faiths of the InterFaith Conference, please see our Teaching About Religion book.
