More Than One Type Of Catholic?

Question

Why are people so slow to understand that there is more than one form of Catholicism - the Roman Catholics do not have a monopoly on that word - and that the very word "catholic" comes from a Greek word that means "universal"?

Does anyone know any of this??

Answer 1

While the Greek for Catholic can mean "universal", it's actual intent by the early Church was from it's direct derivatives, Kata & Holos, or "according to the whole", which can be transliterated as "universal". "According to the Whole" from the viewpoint of the early Christians basically meant, "What does the WHOLE church believe" with regard to doctrine, faith and morals. This is why we have had 26 church councils (the first being recorded in the book of Acts) to hammer out precisely what the WHOLE (Catholic) church believes. Each council has always been governed by the Pope or at least their decisions had to be sent to him for ratification.

It is believed that the apostles themselves called the church "The Catholic Church" although the earliest documented use of the term comes from Saint Ignatius of Antioch. He was a student of the apostle, John and traveled some with Sts. Peter and Paul. He was appointed bishop of Antioch by Peter, himself. In his letter to the Smyraeans he had this to say;

"See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery (priests)as ye would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate a love-feast; but whatsoever he shall approve of, that is also pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid."

There is only one church that can trace her roots back to Christ. The fact that others attempt to include the word "Catholic" in their name, doesn't make them part of the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church established on earth by Christ.

Answer 2

Besides catholic (notice the little C) there are Several Catholic n(notice the big C) Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox Catholic, Russian Orthodox Catholic and Egypt ion Coptic Catholic.

Answer 3

catholic does mean universal. The early church was universal-meaning that you did not have to be a Jew to come. Unfortunately the word catholic took on a different meaning as time went by.

Answer 4

The Roman Catholic Church, headquartered today in the Vatican, is the true "mother church" in which all other Christian churches subsist.

You can easily determine which church is the true, universal church. It's the one that was personally established by Christ, born on Pentecost, steeped in the blood of the saints and martyrs, and it has always been presided over by the pope.

Answer 5

Yes, All Christians are catholic

Answer 6

OK, you've got me on a technicality. Whenever someone says Catholic, most (including me) think of The Vatican and Rome.

Answer 7

I do and I'm tired of all the Catholic ignorance on this site, too.

Answer 8

ask Jesus into your life and be born again by the power of the Gospel (an actual real life event in your real life) if you do this in a prayer sincerely God will answer you! you have to truely seek then God will answer!

Answer 9

yes orthodox, Charismatic many others, byzantine.

Answer 10

That's good to know.!