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The term '''''Catholic Church''''' refers to those Churches (including the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] and other non-Latin rite churches) in communion with the [[Bishop]] of Rome, the [[Pope]]. It arose in Western Europe, parts of Eastern Europe, and parts of the Middle East (particularly in the area of modern day Lebanon) after the Great Schism in 1054 A.D. In 1054 a [[Great Schism|schism]] between Rome and the other patriarchal sees resulted from widening differences between the Eastern and Western Churches. The cause of the schism was initially a dispute over papal authority and the soundness of theology surrounding the term ''[[filioque]]'', a word which was interpolated by the Western Church to the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed|Creed]] for use in its own particular liturgy without the consent of the Eastern bishopsand contrary to the decision of the First Council of Epheseus (431). Nevertheless, the effects of the schism were not immediately felt everywhere, and it was only over time that the current complete lack of communion between the Eastern Orthodox Churches and Catholic Church became widespread.
Today, the main differences between the [[Eastern Orthodox ChurchesChurch]] and the Roman Catholic Church continue to be the inclusion of ''filioque'' in the Creed and the scope of papal authority. However, most Orthodox also believe that there is a distinct difference in spirit and attitudeConsequent to papal authority, which is expressed in the manner of doing theology as well as concrete differences in pastoral care. Additionallyhowever, the Roman Catholic Church has made pronouncements of [[dogmadoctrine]] since the Great Schism (such as [[Purgatory]], the [[Immaculate Conception]], original sin and papal infallibility), and other matters of doctrine (such as original sin), which are regarded as false not sanctioned by some in the bishops of the Eastern Orthodox Churches. These pronouncements, and the theological understanding behind them, present another obstacle to the unity of the Catholic and OrthodoxChurches.
Furthermore, most Orthodox also believe that there has developed a distinct difference in the therapeutic method (Nafpatkos, <i>Illness and Cure of the Soul in the Orthodox Tradition</i>). This difference is rooted in fundamentally different diagnoses of the human condition, including original sin, the fall, human nature, and finally the cure of the soul, which is sanctification or [[theosis]].
Efforts however have been made by the Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, amongst other Orthodox bishops, to restore unity, including a visit by Pope Benedict XVI to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2006.
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==See also==
* For the pre-Schism Orthodox Church of Rome, see [[Church of Rome]].
* [[Maronite Catholic Church]]
* [[Melkite Greek Church]]
* Official website of the [http://www.vatican.va Vatican]
* [http://www.zenit.org Zenit - The World Seen from Rome] - An excellent source of news and reflection for worlds events from a Roman Catholic perspective.
* [http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13praec.htm PRAECLARA GRATULATIONIS PUBLICAE] THE REUNION OF CHRISTENDOM Encyclical Letter of Pope Leo XIII June 20, 1894
* Dr. [[w:Anthony Kenny|Anthony Kenny]]. ''[http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/the_tls/article5843760.ece Follies of Roman Catholicism: How the Catholic Church failed to save itself from the Reformation].'' '''TIMESONLINE.''' (From The Times Literary Supplement), March 4, 2009.
*[http://www.myriobiblos.gr/texts/english/roman_church.htm The Schism of the Roman Church] – (Jοhn Ν. Karmiris) Myriobiblos Library, Church of Greece
*[http://www.oca.org/Docs.asp?ID=186&SID=12 Primacy theme of Catholic-Orthodox dialogue] - V Rev. [[Leonid Kishkovsky]]
[[Category:Non-Orthodox]]
[[ar:كنيسة الروم الكاثوليكي]]
[[es:Iglesia Católica Apostólica Romana]]
[[ro:Biserica Romano-Catolică]]