23 Catholic Churches

The 23 Rites / Churches sui iuris of the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church consists, currently, of 23 different Churches sui iuris.  “Sui iuris” means autonomous, although all are united under the leadership of the Pope.  Each Church is known as a particular Church, and the Pope, in addition to being leader of all 23,  also has the authority over the Latin Church that the Patriarchs have over their sui iuris Churches.  All except the Latin Church are Eastern Churches.  Not all Churches have Patriarchs – some have Major Archbishops, some Metropolitans, and the rest have hierarchs with other names.  They all have their own liturgies, known by various names such as Mass (in the West), Divine Liturgy, Holy Qurbana, and others.