The world's largest Christian body, led by the Pope, with a rich sacramental tradition, a unified global structure, and 2,000 years of continuous history.
The Roman Catholic Church is the world's largest Christian denomination, with approximately 1.3 billion members globally. It traces its origins to Jesus Christ and the apostles, and understands itself as the church founded by Christ on the apostle Peter — a claim expressed in the papacy, the office of the Bishop of Rome as the successor of Peter and the visible head of the universal church. Catholic theology holds that the church, guided by the Holy Spirit, is the authoritative interpreter of Scripture and the guardian of sacred tradition.
Catholic worship centers on the seven sacraments — Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony — through which God's grace is conveyed to believers. The Mass (the Eucharistic liturgy) is the central act of Catholic worship, in which the Church teaches that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ (a doctrine called transubstantiation). The veneration of Mary and the saints, prayers for the dead, and the authority of the Magisterium (the Church's teaching office) are distinctive features of Catholic practice that set it apart from Protestant traditions.
Fayetteville has 1 Catholic congregation in the directory. The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) brought significant reforms to Catholic worship and opened new dialogues with other Christian traditions, and today's Catholic parishes reflect both the ancient liturgical heritage and the pastoral renewal of the post-conciliar church.
Catholicism is distinguished by papal authority, the seven sacraments, the doctrine of transubstantiation, the veneration of Mary and the saints, and the claim to be the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church founded by Christ. These features set it apart from all Protestant traditions.
Liturgical and sacramental, centered on the Mass. The order of service follows the Roman Rite, with Scripture readings, a homily, and the Eucharistic Prayer. Music ranges from Gregorian chant to contemporary Catholic worship.
Founded by Jesus Christ; organized papacy from the 1st century; formal separation from Eastern Orthodoxy in 1054.
Its global reach, its artistic and architectural heritage, its intellectual tradition (Aquinas, Augustine), and its network of hospitals, schools, and charitable organizations.