How does the Roman Catholic Church influence the world today?

Answer 1

AnswerThe Roman Catholic Church remains by far the largest denomination in Christianity. It has a well disciplined clerical hierarchy, and demands respect and obedience from its followers. The Vatican, a tiny theological state representing the Catholic Church, provides political and diplomatic power unavailable to other Christian Churches. The immense wealth of the Catholic Church can be used to promote its interests.

Nevertheless, the power and influence of the Catholic Church have declined in recent decades. Nations that were formerly almost exclusively Catholic now have substantial minorities who hold no religious beliefs. The Church could once expect total obedience from its followers, on matters such as contraception and abortion. Now, the evidence is that use of contraception among Catholics is widespread, and even pregnany termination is regarded by some Catholics as more of a secular issue than a religious one.

Answer 2

First of all, there is NO "Roman" Catholic Church, this is an appellation that was first broadly used in England after the protestant revolt. It is just the Catholic Church.

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The Catholic Church primarily ministers to Catholics and most of the influence felt in the world is due to individual Catholic's actions. For instance, one of the primary duties of a Christian is to spread the Gospel and to practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy; so for centuries the Church's missionaries have gone out to preach the Gospel to those who have not heard it or are not Christian. The Church's members, particularly their Religious Orders, have been in the forefront of medicine, education, science, philosophy, history, etc. The list of priests and religious in medicine, science, and astronomy alone would fill a modern day hall of fame. The Church's Religious started what has become the modern education system, and college and university system. Modern democracies and the rights of men are all founded in Catholic principles. For a brief overview of the Church's influences in the modern world, click on the link below.

Answer 3

The Catholic Church is comprised of particular Catholic churches. Or, to put it another way, wherever you find a Catholic church, there you have a particular manifestation of the universal Catholic Church. So, this question is somewhat nonsensical.

Sometimes, when people refer to "the Church" they really mean "the Magisterium of the Church" which is the Pope and the bishops in communion with him. If the question is read with this understanding then the answer is, "Yes." The Magisterium is still a powerful influence on Catholic churches today.

Perhaps you meant to ask, "Is the Roman Catholic Church still a powerful influence on Christian churches today?" This would provide some more separation between the subject and the object of the question, since there are many Christians who are not Catholic. However, the answer then is not so simple. The Catholic Church has varying degrees of influence on other Christian churches, depending on that Christian church's connection with and respect for the Catholic Church.