Catholicism- An Introduction by Stanford, Peter -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Title Copyright Contents Acknowledgements Foreword Meet the author Only got a minute? Only got five minutes? Only got ten minutes? Part one: Catholicism – the basics

1 What is Catholicism?

The oldest institution in the Western world The scale of world Catholicism (taken from current Vatican statistics) An historical overview How are Catholics different from other Christians? The distinguishing features of Catholicism Attitudes to other faiths Conclusion

2 Once a Catholic

The changing Church Was Jesus Catholic? What do Catholics believe? The place of tradition and prayer The role of Mary Popular sites of Marian devotion How Catholicism operates Catholicism as a way of life The sacramental life Is there a Catholic morality? Conclusion

Part two: The history of Catholicism

3 The early Church

The birth of the Catholic Church How the institution was created Catholicism as a state religion The growth of papal power Key thinkers in the first millennium of Catholicism

4 From the Dark Ages to the Reformation

The rise to European domination In conflict with ambitious princes Schism with the East Innocent III – The Vicar of Christ Avignon popes Impression of power The theses of Martin Luther Conclusion

5 Counter-Reformation to Holocaust

The Counter-Reformation Jansenism and Gallicanism The Enlightenment The French Revolution Retreat from a changing world Pius IX The rise of fascism Conclusion

Part three: The Catholic Church today

6 The modern Catholic Church

The Second Vatican Council The key changes made Aftermath of the Council Confusion and conflict John Paul II Benedict XVI

7 The hierarchy of Catholicism

How popes used to be elected Who becomes a cardinal? Papal conclaves How popes are elected now Can popes abdicate? Papal infallibility The Vatican Conclusion

8 The Church on the ground

The episcopate The nature of priesthood Celibacy Married priests Eastern rite Catholic Churches Priestly titles Religious life The religious charism

9 Women in the Church

Women priests Objections to women priests Nuns Consecrated virgins Conclusion

Part four: Teachings and traditions

10 The sacramental and devotional life of Catholics

The Mass The Eucharist Baptism Reconciliation First Holy Communion Confirmation Marriage Holy orders The sacrament of the anointing of the sick Other devotions The Rosary Benediction and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament The Angelus Stations of the Cross The Divine Office Fasting and abstinence Eucharistic fasting Conclusion

11 The sacred and the secular

Catholics and sex Contraception Abortion Assisted conception Homosexuality AIDS Sexual abuse Annulment Conclusion

12 Dissent and dispute

The Internal Forum Dissent Excommunication Liberation theology The Devil Exorcism Conclusion

13 Saints and martyrs

Canonization and beatification Ten patron saints Modern martyrs Conclusion

14 Where two worlds overlap

Religion and science The ‘just war’ Catholicism and the arts The Catholic writer Opus Dei Other modern movements Conclusion

Conclusion: One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church Glossary Taking it further Index

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