About the Roman Catholic Church

We use the phrase "Roman Catholic" in place of "Catholic" to avoid confusion. Most Christian faith groups acknowledge the Nicene Creed and thus regard themselves as "Catholic," at least as far as being part of the "catholic and apostolic church." Within any one given faith group, the meaning of the term "Catholic" is relatively clear. But our site deals with all Christian denominations and all other religions. To assure clarity and to avoid ambiguity, we use the term "Roman Catholic" when referring to the church headed by the pope in Rome. We use similar terms (e.g. Evangelical Catholic, Anglo-Catholic) when referring to some other faith groups. 

We often use the abbreviation RCC to refer to the Roman Catholic Church. This saves wear and tear on your eyeballs and on our fingers.

We have many dozens of essays on this web site that discuss ethical, moral, spiritual, and religious topics from a Christian perspective. Many include information on the beliefs and practices of the RCC. Our internal search engine might help you locate information on a specific topic.

You might find the following Catholic information sources to be helpful:

	Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, at: http://socrates58.blogspot.com/
	Catholic Answers, at: http://www.catholic.com
	Catholic Encyclopedia, at: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/
	Catholic Information Network (CIN) at: http://www.cin.org/
	Catholic Online at: http://www.catholic.org/
	CatholiCity, at: http://www.catholicity.com/
	Catholic.net at: http://www.catholic.net/
	Catholic Apologetics, at: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/3543/
	EWTN global Catholic Network at http://www.ewtn.com/
	The Holy See, at: http://www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm
	St. Michael's Question & Answer Forum gives "the public an opportunity to ask questions about the Catholic Faith. Any area is permissible." See: http://www.saint-mike.org/apologetics/qa/
	PetersNet, at: http://www.petersnet.net/
	Fish Eaters -- the whys and hows of traditional Catholicism at: http://www.fisheaters.com/

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Topics covered in this section:

	Theological matters: General beliefs: The history of the early Christian movement Status of non-Catholic denominations and other religions Verbal attacks on Islam Can non-Catholics be saved and attain Heaven? Differences between the RCC and conservative Protestantism   Religious polls: About other religions and personal beliefs About Pope John Paul II, his successor and policies   Specific teachings: Environment and global warming Human sexuality (Abortion, homosexuality, masturbation, transsexuality, ordination...; a major topic) Inerrancy of the Bible Purgatory Limbo Status of Mary as co-redemptrix, mediatrix and advocate Other topics (These essays describe beliefs of all branches of Christianity)
	Social teachings: Major social positions taught by the Roman Catholic Church Church expectations of Catholics on matters of faith and morals Betrothal: re-establishing an ancient Catholic marriage type
	Procedures: Election of Pope Benedict XVI
	Past human rights abuses: Persecution of Jews Anti-semitism, the Nazi Holocaust, and the Catholic church Extermination of Witches and other heretics Castratism: Castrated choir boys, ~1500 to 1903
	Recent activities and events: The life and death of Pope John Paul II Apology by the RCC for past sins and faults Priests with a homosexual orientation Seminary students with a homosexual orientation Exclusion of gay students from seminaries Request for apology by Wiccans and other Neopagan leaders The Army of Mary Sexual abuse of young people by clergy Some reports of recovered memories of clergy abuse Bleeding or weeping statues of the Virgin Mary and other saints.
	Books about the RCC: Sexual abuse of children by clergy Change, conflict, trends in the RCC

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Related menus on this web site:

	History of the Christian Church as seen by the RCC and others
	Ecumenical efforts with Anglicans, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestants

Books about the Roman Catholic Church and its beliefs:

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