1. 1. What are the features of Catholic Church in organization & structure? A. bishop主教, head of the cathedral in a diocese主教区, its basic unit; B. secular clergy as pastors牧师,who staff parishes教区of the diocese; C. religious clergy—members of its orders, who tend to staff bodies of mercy & social service like schools & hospitals together with laity非神 职人员;

2. D. pope—its head with final authority E
D. pope—its head with final authority E. cardinals红衣主教, appointed by the pope to make up the supreme council of the church; F. The Curia教庭, located in Vatican city, directed by the Secretariat of State, with congregations圣会 and tribunals法庭 to assist the pope in administration; G. Eastern Rite churches: whose who stick to their own long traditions in church discipline, ritual, and law;

3. Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II is the first non-Italian to serve as pope since Adrian VI of The Netherlands, who served from John Paul II was born Karol Wojtyła in Wadowice, Poland, in He has governed the Roman Catholic church from a staunchly conservative position since he became pope in 1978, disapproving of birth control, ordination of women, and political participation and officeholding by priests.

4. 2. What are its distinctive doctrines. A
2. What are its distinctive doctrines? A. decisions of the church so binding as to validate such a practice not found in Bible as infant baptism; B. Christian revelation contained in written books/unwritten traditions; C. pope as the successor of Saint Peter, chosen by Jesus as its head; D. God’s love & grace passed to the world uniquely by the church; E. respect for saints like Mary; good works & prayers can rid one of sin;

5. Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council ( ) changed the direction of the Roman Catholic Church in many ways. During the course of the four sessions, the Council modernized some beliefs, emphasized the church’s acknowledgement of the importance of the ecumenical movement, and affirmed certain long-standing Catholic doctrines, including the doctrine of transubstantiation. Called by Pope John XXIII, who died before the first session and was succeeded by Paul VI, the Council produced many documents that recorded the proceedings.

6. The Council of Trent, the 19th ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, was held from 1545 to 1563 in the town of Trent in northern Italy. Convoked by Pope Paul III, the council responded to the Protestant Reformation and defined the dogmas of the church. Italian Renaissance painter Titian attended the council in about 1555 and recorded his impressions in this painting.

7. Jesus giving Saint Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven
Jesus giving Saint Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Catholic doctrine states that Jesus appointed St. Peter to be the first Pope, which established a link between Jesus and the office of the Pope. This link is known as Apostolic Succession, whereby the Pope is seen as the heir to the Apostles.

8. Madonna and Child
The role of Mary and the saints in Christianity has often been a point of contention among the different Christian divisions and churches. Although the New Testament acknowledges Mary’s holiness and her importance, her role in the Christian faith and in liturgies developed later. The Roman Catholic church has often been criticized by the various Protestant religions for the importance placed on Mary in the church calendar and ceremonies. Religious art often depicts Mary with Jesus, as shown here.

9. 3. What are its distinctive forms of worship and practice. A
3. What are its distinctive forms of worship and practice? A. Mass-celebration of the Eucharist 圣餐, held on Sundays, major feast days, at marriages, funerals, etc; B. other sacraments圣礼baptism洗礼 confirmation按手礼penance忏悔礼 holy orders牧师授职礼matrimony结 婚anointing of the sick临终涂油礼; C. rosary玫瑰经devoted to the Virgin Mary, fast斋戒, educational support; D. no abortion & marriage of priests;

10. Eucharistic Liturgy
During the eucharistic liturgy in a mass, priests distribute the bread and wine of Holy Communion. The Roman Catholic faith teaches that the priest converts this bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ, a doctrine known as transubstantiation. By partaking of the bread and the wine, Roman Catholics affirm their union with Christ. In this late baroque painting by Claudio Coello, King Charles II of Spain receives Holy Communion.

11. Ash Wednesday
A Catholic priest applies a smudge of sacred ashes to the forehead of a worshiper on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. As the priest performs this ritual he recites, “Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.”

12. 4. What are its features in historical development. A
4. What are its features in historical development? A. early Christianity from Palestine spread to the Mediterranean world few decades after Jesus’ death & in consolidated due to support by Emperor Constantine the Great; B. In the Medieval Ages, papacy as the leader of the Western Church, with a centralizing Curia to conduct canon law教会法规, with Crusades, led to the Great Schism教会分裂;

13. Elected pope in 1958, Angelo Roncalli, who took the name John XXIII, became a force for modernization in the Roman Catholic Church. He issued encyclicals in support of social justice, called for dialogue with other faiths, and opened the Second Vatican Council to renew the Catholic faith.

14. John Paul II in the Holy Land
Pope John Paul II gazes out on the Holy Land from Mount Nebo west of Amman, Jordan, in March 2000 during the pontiff’s historic visit to Israel and Jordan. According to tradition, Hebrew prophet Moses first glimpsed the Promised Land from this site.