How old is the head of the Catholic Church?

Answer 1

The Catholic Church is one of the surviving Christian churches which has a continuous history going back to the time of the Apostles.

Along with the Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and the Assyrian Church of the East, the Catholic Church is one of the 'ancient and apostolic' churches. While the divisions between these churches arose later, it is not accurate to say either side was created at the time of the schism.

The traditional 'birthday' of the Church is Pentecost, after Jesus had ascended into heaven... though it is not as if the Holy Spirit handed down a constitution and bylaws! The organization and structure of the Church has changed, sometimes radically, over the centuries, but the Church, being fundamentally the community of Christians, has existed in some form since the apostles.

The first record of the church being called 'Catholic' is from the first decade of the second century, but this is a description of a reality already in place.

The Catholic Religion, also known as Roman Catholicism, a denomination of Christianity dates back to the foundation of Christianity in approximately 33 CE. It split from the Orthodox Church in 1054 CE in the Great Schism.

Catholic Answer

The Catholic Faith started with the piercing of Jesus' side with a lance and blood and water flowed out - signifying the Eucharist and Baptism. It was then declared to the world on Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit, so just take whatever year it is now, and subtract 33 from it to get the age of the Catholic faith, i.e. 2014-33=1,981 years predating any of the other Churches: When Christ appointed Peter as His first Vicar He promised that the Church would be remain one and that the Holy Spirit would guide it into all truth until the end of the world. There have been various churches which have split from it, but it remains, as promised by Christ, as His Mystical Body, remains one, remains holy, remains apostolic, and remains catholic.

Answer 2

The Church has been around approximately 2,000 years since it's promulgation at Pentecost when Christ commissioned His apostles to go forth and preach to and baptise all nations. It has been a politically supported religion since the Roman Empire made it legal and gave it state patronage in 313 AD under Constantine.

Answer 3

The Catholic tradition states that the Roman Catholic Church was founded during Pentecost, there are many early Catholic writings that date back to the first century AD.

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Catholic AnswerActually, Pentecost was when the Church was first shown to the world, it is fifty days older, having been born from the side of Christ hanging dead on the cross:

The Catholic faith emanated from God from the beginning of time, and was established on earth definitively from the side of Jesus Christ on the cross outside of Jerusalem when He side was pierced by a spear, around 33 A.D.. Then it was shown to the world at Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit, fifty-three days later.

from

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

766

The Church is born primarily of Christ's total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated in the institution of the Eucharist and fulfilled on the cross. "The origin and growth of the church are symbolized by the blood and water which flowed from the open side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth the 'wondrous sacrament of the whole Church.'" Sacrosanctum concilium 5) As Eve was formed from the sleeping Adam's side, so the church was born from the pierced heart of Christ hanging dead on the cross. (Cf. St. Ambrose, In Luc. 2, 85-89: J.P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Latina {Paris: 1841-1855} 15, 1666-1668)

767

"When the work which the Father gave the Son to do on earth was accomplished, the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost in order that he might continually sanctify the Church." (Lumen gentium 4; cf. Jn 17:4) The "the Church was openly displayed to the crowds and the spread of the gospel among the nations, through preaching, was begun." (Ad gentes 4) As the "convocation" of all men for salvation, the Church in her very nature is missionary, sent by Christ to all the nations to make disciples of them. (Cf. Mt 28:19-20; Ad gentes 2; 5-6)

The Catholic Church is about 2000 years old.

1,979 years old. The catholic church was formed when Christ appointed St. Peter as the first pope of the church.

Answer 4

Catholics believe that the church was founded in the year 33 and that Jesus appointed Peter as the first pope. Around the year AD 45 Peter went to Rome and assumed control of the church. This was in the time of Nero and the persecution of Christians. Peter was imprisoned and scourged. Paul was also beheaded the same day outside of Rome. Peter was led to the top of Vatican Mount to be crucified, but he saw himself as unworthy to die in the same position of Jesus so he asked to be crucified upside down. Two hundred and sixty popes have succeeded Peter since. For the next 300 years Rome persecuted Christians and they would meet behind closed doors. In 306 Constantine became emperor of Rome and made Christianity the state religion. Today there are 1.038 billion Catholics in the world.

Answer 5

The head of the Catholic Church is its founder, the second person of the Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is eternally begotten of God the Father, before all ages. God from God. Light from Light. True God from True God.

Although Jesus Christ, in order to redeem us, took on flesh and became man around 2000 years ago, he is, he always was, and he always will be.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8)

Answer 6

The Catholic Church is about 2000 years old.

Answer 7

The Catholic Church has been around for nearly 2000 years.

Answer 8

Catholicism is nearly 2000 years old.