The Roman Catholic Church today as heir to the Latin Church of the Middle Ages (Mediaeval Roman Catholic Paradigm):
• “Catholic” elements were preserved (or recovered) not only in the Roman Catholic Church, but also in the Old Catholic, Anglican and even some Protestant Churches.
• Being Catholic is primarily a matter of sharing rituals, symbols, theology and spirituality, i.e. a sacramental way of thinking and acting – hierarchical authority and papacy are not prime reasons for being a Catholic.
• Devotion to Mary and the saints and concern for the souls of the deceased
are part of an “ecclesial” solidarity
extending beyond the present life.
• Impressive artistic traditions in religious architecture, painting, sculpture and music.
• A mentality affirming life including sensual pleasures.
• Impressive engagement in education and charitable work among the sick, the poor and the outcast, especially (though not exclusively) by members of religious orders.
• Global diversity in popular piety combined with the sense of belonging to a single “universal” Church – symbolic role of the pope often more important than his real authority.
