Blog #6 GL 350: In what ways is the Catholic Church both Roman and Global?

            Roman Catholicism currently stands as a worldwide religious organisation consisting of roughly 1.1 billion members. The history of Catholicism owes its origin to Jesus of Nazareth, who was seen by many as the son on God. He preached the word of God in the vicinity of Jerusalem during the period of Roman occupation. In Catholicism, members congregate in multiple churches directed by bishops, whose roles are directly linked to the disciples of Jesus. After several decades, Jesus’ life, death, and subsequent resurrection led to bishops spreading the word of God, across the world in order to form a unified church. Furthermore, in the modern day Vatican City, Saint Peters Basilica rests upon the grave of Saint Peter. The Pope is considered Peters successor. Apart from this, Catholicism does not have a pleasant beginning. For many years, Catholicism was seen as a plague and was therefore considered “necessary to be wiped out.” The early Roman Empire persecuted Christians by the thousands. Until the reign of Emperor Constantine, some three hundred years later it finally became legal and was recognized as the official, designated religion of the Empire. However, relatively shortly after in the 5^th century, the Roman Empire fell. I believe that the following quote by Michelangelo Buonarroti in The Smiles of Rome  can capture how Romans felt as they were oppressed because of their faith: “And like a shadow which must imitate itself, as night advancing darker grows, so I in sin advancing grieve and mourn” (Michelangelo, pg. 104).  It summarizes the point that the Christian Romans were surrounded by darkness (oppressive rulers) and were virtually powerless to fight back. Even though this happened, the Roman Church assumed spiritual power in the West; which led to an enormous amount of influence on the development of art and culture throughout the west. Consequently, in modern day due to the powerful spread of Catholicism all regions of the world in some manner practice the religion. It has spread like a wildfire in regions such as Africa, South America and Asia. Before it spread to these regions it is important to discuss in some more detail how its roots are primarily Roman. 

            The apostles of Jesus Christ spread the word of God all throughout the known world and provided the beginning structure for the early Christian Church. After Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried, Simon Peter (an apostle of Jesus) became a prominent leader in the Jewish Christian movement.  These particular individuals considered themselves a reform movement within Judaism, but continued to follow many of the Jewish Laws. Now, it has been debated if Peter was ever in Rome to proselytise and spread the word of God. Regardless if he was or wasn’t, he greatly influenced the Catholic faith in Rome amongst other places. Emperor Constantine (the first Christian Emperor in Rome) even decided to honor Peter with a large basilica in his name. Moreover, Christ himself greatly honored Peter when he said in Mathew chapter 16 verse 18: “ and I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” In other words, this means that Peter was essentially the most prominent and influential member of the twelve apostles. To build from this, Barzini states in The Italians that, “Rome was also God’s seat on earth, the rock on which Christ had established his Church, the centre of a vast spiritual Empire of which all Christians had been subjects until a few years before” (Barzini, pg. 295). Therefore, his ultimate influence in Rome for the Catholic faith is undeniably substantial.

            Around this same time Saul, originally one of the strongest persecutors of early Christians had a profound vision of Jesus Christ that knocked him off his steed, when he was on the road to Damascus. As a consequence he became one of the most dynamic evangelists in Christ’s name. He eventually adopted the name of Paul and wrote numerous letters to various places he visited, encouraging them to follow the faith. He directed his proselytising to Gentiles and Jews alike. Many historians attribute this form of evangelism as Pauline Christianity. He is unquestionably a pillar of the Catholic faith for he preached in Rome and was successful in spreading the faith. He was eventually killed by Emperor Nero and is considered a great Saint of the Roman Catholic Church. 

         
           This past week I had the great opportunity to visit the Vatican Museums and attend a Papal Mass. The Papal Mass was absolutely incredible. Pilgrims from multiple different countries travelled to Rome just to worship and see the Holy Father. I was completely and utterly astonished. Thousands upon thousands of people congregate into Saint Peters square and worship together as brothers and sisters. While I occasionally saw a few altercations break out over seats, the spirit of Christ was nonetheless present. Furthermore, when mass actually took place it was humbling and pleasing to see Pope Francis' face on the screens. He looked so gentle and at peace. I felt so spiritually connected with the successor of Saint Peter I almost became ecstatic. To be in the place where generations upon generations have worshipped God the Father was purely exhilarating. I was literally standing upon the "rock" where Christ's church was founded. Additionally, the Vatican Museums were like nothing I have ever quite seen. The sheer size of St. Peters Basilica along with seeing the Sistine Chapel was something one cannot quite put into words. It's like seeing the most beautiful thing in the world and then asked to describe it in one sentence. It's not possible. The level of detail and the untainted spiritual influence is immeasurable. The greatest artists of all time crafted the beauty that so many travellers of today take for granted. Rome truly is the seat of the Catholic Church.  

            According to a recent statistical analysis conducted by the Vatican there are now 1.229 billion baptized people in the world. This represents a ten percent increase since 2005. In addition, the percentage of Catholics in Africa has increased by 29 percent, which shows a considerable growth. The Catholic Church even with its abrupt and ubiquitous schisms (i.e. protestant reformation) has continued to thrive over the centuries and continues to remain as one of most influential religions in the world. For centuries to come Catholicism will be prevalent, for faith is the one thing that will never be lost.