Outline of the Catholic Church

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the Catholic Church:
Catholicism – largest denomination of Christianity. Catholicism encompasses the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole.
Nature of Catholicism.
Catholicism can be described as all of the following:
History of the Catholic Church.
History of the Catholic Church – the church says that its bishops are the successors to the Apostles of Jesus, and that the Bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope, is the sole successor to Saint Peter, who is believed to have been appointed head of the church in the New Testament and who is said to have ministered in Rome.
Catholic Church hierarchy.
Catholic Church hierarchy – the Catholic Church is composed of dioceses, each overseen by a bishop. Dioceses are divided into individual communities called parishes, each staffed by one or more priests. Priests may be assisted by deacons. 
Doctrine.
Theology.
Catechism of the Catholic Church – catechism promulgated for the Catholic Church by Pope John Paul II in 1992. A catechism is a summary or exposition of doctrine and serves as a learning introduction to the Sacraments traditionally used in catechesis, or Christian religious teaching of children and adult converts.
Sacraments of the Catholic Church.
Sacraments of the Catholic Church – Roman Catholic teaching holds that there are seven sacraments which Christ instituted and entrusted to the Church. Sacraments are visible rituals that Catholics see as signs of God's presence and effective channels of God's grace to all those who receive them with the proper disposition ("ex opere operato").
Mariology.
Mariology – theological study of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mariology methodically presents teachings about her to other parts of the faith, such as teachings about Jesus, redemption and grace. Christian Mariology aims to connect scripture, tradition and the teachings of the Church on Mary.
Personalities of the Church.
Doctors of the Church.
Doctor of the Church – title given by a variety of Christian churches to individuals whom they recognize as having been of particular importance, particularly regarding their contribution to theology or doctrine.
Religious institutes.
Religious institute – "a society in which members...pronounce public vows...and lead a life of brothers or sisters in common".
Churches and liturgical rites within Catholicism.
Particular Churches within the Catholic Church.
Particular Church – In Catholic canon law, a particular Church (Latin: ecclesia particularis) is an ecclesiastical community headed by a bishop or someone recognised as the equivalent of a bishop.
The Latin Church is the largest sui iuris particular Church within the Catholic Church and the only non-Eastern one.
Liturgical rites within the Catholic Church.
Liturgy – customary public worship by a specific religious group, according to its particular beliefs, customs and traditions. "See Catholic liturgy."