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The term '''''Roman Catholic Church''''' refers to those churches Churches (including the [[Uniate|UniaEastern Catholic Churches]] and other non-Latin rite churches) in communion with the [[Bishop]] of Rome, the [[Pope]]. It also can refer specifically to the bishops under the pope's direct [[jurisdiction]]arose in Western Europe, i.e.parts of Eastern Europe, and parts of the Latin rite. Historically, Middle East (particularly in the [[Church of Rome]] was one area of modern day Lebanon) after the [[Pentarchy]] and enjoyed communion with the [[Orthodox Church]]Great Schism in 1054 A.D. In 1054 a [[Great Schism|schism]] between Rome and the other patriarchal sees resulted from widening differences between Orthodoxy the Eastern and Roman CatholicismWestern Churches. The cause of the schism was initially a dispute over papal authority and the soundness of theology surrounding the term ''[[filioque]]'', a word which was added interpolated by the Western churches Church to the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed|Creed]] for use in its own liturgy without the consent of the Orthodox Eastern bishopsand contrary to the decision of the First Council of Epheseus (431). Nevertheless, the effects of the schism were not immediately felt everywhere, and it was only over time that the current complete lack of communion between the Eastern Orthodox Churches and Roman Catholics Catholic Church became widespread. The process of mutual distrust was furthered by the unfortunate sack of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade in 1204.

Today, the main differences between the [[Orthodox Church]] and the Roman Catholic Church continue to be the inclusion of ''filioque'' in the Creed (and its concomitant theology of double-procession—that the Spirit proceeds from the Father ''and the Son'') and the scope of papal authority. HoweverConsequent to papal authority, most Orthodox also believe that there is a distinct difference in spirit and attitude, which is expressed in the manner of doing theology as well as concrete differences in pastoral care. Additionallyhowever, the Roman Catholic Church has made pronouncements of dogma [[doctrine]] since the Great Schism (such as [[Purgatory]], the [[Immaculate Conception]], original sin and papal infallibility), and other matters of doctrine (such as original sin), which are regarded as falsenot sanctioned by the bishops of the Eastern Orthodox Churches. These pronouncements, and the theological understanding behind them, present another obstacle to the unity of the Catholic and OrthodoxChurches.

[[UniateEastern Catholic Churches]] churches will have their own articles, including a general one on the Unia. They should all link back to this article.

* [http://enwww.wikiktocathwiki.org WikiKto - Cathwiki: The English Free Catholic Encyclopediaand Directory] - The equivalent project for the English Roman Catholic Community* [http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13praec.htm PRAECLARA GRATULATIONIS PUBLICAE] THE REUNION OF CHRISTENDOM Encyclical Letter of Pope Leo XIII June 20, 1894* Dr. [[w:Anthony Kenny|Anthony Kenny]]. ''[http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/the_tls/article5843760.ece Follies of Roman Catholicism: How the Catholic Church failed to save itself from the Reformation].'' '''TIMESONLINE.''' (From The Times Literary Supplement), March 4, 2009.