Roman Catholicism and Christianity are two branches of the same religion that have often been seen as distinct, even rival creeds.Theologically, the two denominations have much in common, but there are marked differences in their religious denominations and practices.Roman Catholicism is most often associated with the pope and worldwide religious hierarchies.Biblical interpretation is highly important in this faith, where senior religious figures interpret holy scripture on behalf of believers and provide authoritative guidance.The laws and teachings of the Church make up an essential part of the faith.
The primary difference between the two faiths is that whereas in Christianity, people have a personal relationship with Jesus, Catholics have a relationship with the Church and its teachings, although Jesus is central. The Catholic Church believes in original sin and God’s role in forgiving it through the sin of Jesus Christ.Catholics believe in Jesus’s death to redeem mankind, while Christians accept this on faith..In contrast Christianity has its own complexity, but is generally more open to interpretation and diverse interpretations of belief, while the ultimate authority within the Church is the Pope himself.
Another major difference can be seen in the sacraments. Catholics believe in seven sacraments, while Christians widely differ in their beliefs. Catholics recognize the importance of baptism, the Eucharist, confession, penance, anointing of the sick, holy orders, and matrimony.Christian denominations vary in the sacraments they recognize, and some don’t recognize any at all. Also, Catholics believe that the priest and other church leaders have special abilities to administer the sacraments and that a person has to be a baptized Catholic to share in any of the sacraments.
In Catholicism, special importance is placed on the veneration of saints and the use of sacramentals, objects charged with spiritual power. While Christians do not deny the symbolic power of sacramentals, they generally do not spend as much emphasis on venerating saints, angels and Mary. Catholics, on the other hand, practice the miraculous intercession of saints, pray to them and ask them to pray for them. Catholics also believe in indulgences, the remission of temporal punishment due to sin, which is not so formally recognized in other Christian faiths.
The Roman Catholic Church has a long and complicated history and has experienced many changes, including the Second Vatican Council. This has included many reforms, such as allowing Mass to celebrated in the vernacular instead of in Latin and allowing churches to have more of an emphasis on each individual person’s faith journey.Although it is still more formal and structured than most other Christian denominations, the Catholic Church has made an effort to modernize in an effort to appeal to a larger audience.
Another distinction between the two faiths is the use of sacred music in liturgy, with the Catholic Mass often incorporating Gregorian chant, organ music and various distinct liturgies. In Christian churches, many songs of praise and worship are used, often in contemporary styles. Catholic churches typically maintain strict traditional standards in their liturgy, while other Christian churches are more likely to experiment with different types of music, coordinating their faith expression with the current culture.
From authoritative guidance from popes and senior religious figures to distinct sacraments, veneration of saints and complex liturgical styles, the differences between Catholic and other Christian denominations are extremely varied and profound. However, both branches look to the example of Jesus, praying for redemption and sharing in His love and grace.
Catholicism and Devotion to Mary
Devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus, is one of the most significant differences between Catholicism and other Christian denominations. Catholicism places an enormous amount of importance upon Mary and teaches that she has a special role in the life of the church. Catholics believe that Mary was immaculately conceived, remains always a virgin, was taken up into heaven, and is the most holy among God’s creatures. It is believed that Mary’s intercession can be requested if it is asked with faith and humility. Mary is also seen as a mediator between God and man, as it is believed she can intercede for her people.
Catholic churches often build shrines and dedicate large amounts of resources to Mary and devoted pilgrims will often undertake long journeys to visit sites associated with her. Catholic devotion to the mother of Jesus is often a source of confusion for other Christian denominations, who do not see her as playing a special mediatory role, or as being immaculately conceived. Catholics also have a different set of prayers to Mary that form an essential part of the faith. Except for formal litanies, these prayers tend to be more personal and devotional in nature.
The Role of the Priesthood
The unique role of the priesthood within the Catholic Church is another key difference between Catholicism and Christianity. The Catholic Church is led by the Pope, who is believed to hold a special authority as the spiritual leader of the Church. Under the Pope are parish priests, religious or ‘Working Priests’ who have dedicated their lives to serve the Church and assist the faithful. For Catholics, the priest is a visible living symbol of God’s presence and love, who is granted the power to serve and nourish the souls of the believers. He serves as the spiritual leader of a congregation and is in charge of administering the sacraments.
In contrast, many Christian denominations do not recognize the belief in the importance of an ordained priest. They are more likely to view any member of their community as spiritual leaders, rather than a priest figure having higher authority in the faith. Christians also tend to believe that all church members are called to serve God, and priests are seen as a part of a larger body of believers who serve God through their work and witness.
The Significance of the Bible
Another stark contrast between Catholicism and Christianity is the interpretation and application of the Bible. In Catholicism, there is a greater emphasis placed upon interpreting the bible by the priests and drawing upon the teachings and doctrines of the Church. This is often seen as an authoritative interpretation of scriptures, rather than everyday believers making their own interpretations. Catholics view scripture as both inspired and part of the tradition of the Church, which holds great authority and validity.
On the other hand, some Christian churches emphasize the importance of reading and interpreting the Bible for themselves, and give more power to individual interpretation. This allows for a greater degree of diversity in faith practice, though there is generally a stronger emphasis on Scripture in the life of a Christian. There is also a greater appreciation of tradition, as it is believed to add layers of meaning to the scriptures.
Resting and Celebrating Holy Days
The significance of holy days within Catholicism and Christianity is also vastly different. Catholics observe more than thirty-five holy days of obligation throughout the year, often calling for fasting and abstinence. These days cover a range of Christian holidays, such as the Immaculate Conception, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and All Saints Day. Mass is generally celebrated on these days and the faithful are strongly encouraged to attend church and take part in the liturgy.
Christians also observe holy days, but their focus tends to be more individual in nature. While there are annual celebrations of specific events such as Christmas and Easter, there is not always a need to go to church. While prayer and meditation can be more accessible outside of the formal structure of a Mass, holding to particular traditions allows members of the faith to share in common experiences that maintain connection among all.
The Use of Scripture in Worship
In Catholicism, scripture is read aloud during Mass, as well as by individuals for private devotions. The readings are typically drawn from the Vulgate, the official version of the Bible used by the Roman Catholic Church, or from an approved translation. While it is traditional for the entire bible to be read over the course of three years, often the same passages are read year after year. Popular passages also tend to appear more often than others, such as the Magnificat, a song in the New Testament praising God.
Unlike Roman Catholicism, the Protestant churches have several different English translations of the Bible. This allows for greater diversity in interpreting the scriptures. In some churches, passages are divided up each week and read by members of the congregation, while in others they might read an entire chapter before the sermon. Some congregations also utilize poetry, music and drama to bring the bible to life. The approach to scripture in Christian churches is often much more personalized, yet still deeply spiritual.
Catholic and Christian Prayer Practices
The way Catholics and Christians pray also varies considerably. Catholicism emphasizes rote prayer, such as the reciting of prayers like the Hail Mary or the Lord’s Prayer on a daily basis. It is traditional to do the stations of the cross, a meditative walk was at a local church or in private life. Prayers can sometimes be difficult, but the structured nature of a Catholic faith is meant to offer guidance through difficulty.
In contrast, Christian prayer practices range from individual prayer, to group prayer, to worshipping in song. There is an emphasis on personal communication with God and individual expression of prayer is encouraged. Christianity places great importance on community and shared prayer gatherings and Christian denominations often have special singing and musical worship services. The use of scripture, music, and prayer can help bridge the divide between earthly and spiritual concerns.
