Catholic Church Services

The Catholic Church teaches that it is the original Church founded by Jesus upon the Apostles, among whom Simon Peter was chief. The Church teaches that its bishops, through apostolic succession, are consecrated successors of these apostles, and that the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) as the successor of Peter possesses a universal primacy of jurisdiction and pastoral care. Church doctrines have been defined through 21 ecumenical councils, following the example set by the first Apostles in the Council of Jerusalem. On the basis of reports in the Gospels of promises made by Jesus to his apostles, the Church maintains that it is guided by the Holy Spirit and so protected from falling into doctrinal error. Catholic beliefs are based on the deposit of Faith (containing both the Holy Bible and Sacred Tradition) handed down from the time of the Apostles, which are interpreted by the Church's teaching authority. Those beliefs formally detailed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Formal Catholic worship is called the liturgy. The Eucharist is the central component of Catholic worship.