Differences between Catholic and Protestant

Catholic vs. Protestant

Catholicism and Protestantism are two major branches of Western Christianity. They share core beliefs in the divinity of Jesus Christ and the authority of the Bible, but diverge on matters of theological interpretation, church structure, and sacramental practice. These differences originate primarily from the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, a movement that challenged certain doctrines and the authority of the Roman Catholic Church.

Comparison Table

Category	Catholicism	Protestantism
Source of Authority	Scripture and Sacred Tradition, interpreted by the Magisterium (the Pope and bishops).	Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) is the sole infallible source of authority for faith and practice.
Justification (Salvation)	Justification is a process that begins at baptism and requires faith, works, and participation in the sacraments to be maintained. God's grace is infused into the believer, making them righteous.	Justification is by grace alone through faith alone (Sola fide). It is a one-time event where Christ's righteousness is imputed to the believer, not infused. Good works are seen as evidence of salvation, not a cause of it.
Church Structure	Hierarchical, led by the Pope (the Bishop of Rome) as the successor to the Apostle Peter, followed by bishops, priests, and deacons.	Generally emphasizes the "priesthood of all believers," with a less centralized and more varied structure among different denominations. Pastors and ministers are ordained, but there is no central figure with universal authority like the Pope.
Sacraments	Seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance (Reconciliation), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.	Typically two sacraments (or ordinances): Baptism and the Lord's Supper (Eucharist).
The Eucharist (Communion)	Belief in transubstantiation, where the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ in substance.	Views vary. Lutherans hold to a form of real presence often called consubstantiation. Others see it as a symbolic remembrance (memorialism) or a spiritual presence.
Role of Mary and Saints	Mary is venerated as the Mother of God and the greatest of the saints. Catholics pray to Mary and other saints for intercession on their behalf.	Mary is respected as the mother of Jesus, but intercessory prayer to saints is generally rejected as not supported by scripture. Prayer is directed to God alone.
Afterlife	Belief in Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory, an intermediate state where souls are purified before entering Heaven.	Belief in Heaven and Hell. The concept of Purgatory is generally rejected.

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Catholic and Protestant

Papal Authority

A central difference is the Catholic doctrine of papal supremacy, which holds that the Pope has full, supreme, and universal power over the entire Church as the vicar of Christ. This authority includes the ability to make infallible pronouncements on matters of faith and morals. Protestantism rejects this hierarchical structure, instead affirming the priesthood of all believers. This doctrine posits that all Christians have equal access to God through Christ without the need for a priestly mediator.

Understanding the Sacraments

The Catholic Church defines a sacrament as an outward sign of an inward grace, instituted by Christ. It recognizes seven such sacraments which are considered effective means through which God's grace is bestowed. Most Protestant traditions acknowledge only two sacraments, Baptism and the Eucharist (or Lord's Supper), as these are the only ones they see as explicitly instituted by Jesus in the Gospels. The other five rites are often respected but not considered sacraments in the same sense.

The interpretation of the Eucharist is a notable point of division. The Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation states that the substance of the bread and wine are wholly changed into the body and blood of Christ during Mass. Protestant views differ significantly. Martin Luther proposed a view often called consubstantiation, where Christ's body and blood coexist "in, with, and under" the bread and wine. Other reformers, such as Huldrych Zwingli, taught memorialism, viewing the practice as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. John Calvin's view involves a real spiritual presence of Christ in the Eucharist, distinct from a literal or purely symbolic interpretation.