Catholicism is a term used especially in the context of Christianity. It comes from the Greek word καθολικος, meaning "general" or "universal." It can mean one of several things: Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament writings of his early followers. ...
Due to the dominant history and current influence of the Roman Catholic Church, "Catholicism" is often used to mean the belief system of that Church.
In informal usage the term may be further restricted to mean the members, traditions, or theology of the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church.
In other usage it may refer to all Churches that are Catholic in nature, which declare they uphold the Catholic faith, and claim apostolic succession through the Catholic side of the Great Schism. For examples see the Old Catholic Church, or the official Church of England site [What it means to be an Anglican] especially on "upholding the Catholic faith".
It was first used to distinguish the early Christian Church from heretical groups, seen as associated with particular regions only.
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Catholicism spread worldwide, at pace with European colonialism: to the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania.
Catholicism is monotheistic: it acknowledges that God is one, eternal, all-powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing (omniscient), all-good (omnibenevolent), and omnipresent (present everywhere simultaneously).
See, for instance, on the charge of anti-Semitism, Relations between Catholicism and Judaism.) Pope John Paul II acknowledged publicly that certain members (including leadership) of the Catholic Church have sometimes been involved in questionable activities, and asked God to forgive the sins of its members, both in action and omission.
Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy focus on Mary as a living person who can intercede to her Son, Jesus, on behalf of humanity.
Catholicism has traditionally accorded to the Virgin Mary the veneration of hyperdulia, which rests in part upon the angelic salutation, "Hail, full of grace" (Lk 1:28), a phrase with momentous theological impact.
The central role of Mary in the belief and practice of Catholicism is reflected in the fact that many Catholic churches contain side altars dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
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