The Catholic church is the oldest ongoing institution in the Western world. Most people – especially those inside the church – believe they know everything there is to know about the church. However, there are some facts even seasoned members may not know. Here are some fast facts and surprising tidbits that may shock you!
Just for Starters
- For the first thousand years of Christian history, the Roman Catholic church was the only option for mass worship!
- The inventor of the printing press, Johannes Gutenberg was a catholic, and the first book he ever printed on his invention was the Bible!
- There are over ten-thousand recognized saints in the Catholic church. However, by definition, every person who enters the kingdom of heaven is considered a saint, so the actual number is quite a bit higher than that!
- Baptism is considered of great importance in the church, and is usually a formal ritual. However, any studied Catholic can perform an emergency baptism for someone in grave danger of death. In this case, the only prerequisite is the person being baptized having a genuine desire to receive the holy spirit.
Hospitals, Healthcare and Charity Work – Oh My!
- Catholic hospitals account for about fifteen percent of all hospitals and healthcare centers worldwide.
- Catholic churches are not the only institutions provided by the religion. In some parts of the world, Catholic institutions are the only available hospitals, schools and social services available to people.
- The Catholic church spends more money annually in charity missions and other expenditures than the Apple company brings in in the same amount of time! In 2012, while Apple products brought in around $152 billion, the Catholic church spent over $170 billion! No organization spends more on community events, charities, outreach and more.