Roman Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church is the world's largest single religious grouping with over 1,000,000,000 baptised members (see Catholicism). The church exists within virtually every country on Earth.The visible earthly head of the Church is the Pope, the successor to Saint Peter, whose seat is the Vatican City in Rome. He is supported by an elite group of Cardinalss. The Pope officially appoints all clergymen in the Church above the rank of priest. All members of the hierarchy are answerable to the Pope and to his papal court, the Curia.
Organisation
Patriarchs are the heads of Catholic Churches other than the Latin Church. Some senior Roman Catholic archbishops are also called Patriarchs. Archbishops and Bishops administer individual dioceses as successors of the twelve apostles. As such they are responsible for the appointment and supervision of parish priests, and the oversight of all church affairs within their diocese.
The Catholic Church is organised into local hierarchies within each nation, or group of smaller nations. National Conferences of bishops co-ordinate local policy within each nation.
The World Hierarchy by Region
North America
Central America
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Europe
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South America
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Africa
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Asia
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