What are Catholics?

Question

Simple enough question.

Answer 1

A Catholic worships and follows Christ in the tradition of Catholicism which, among other things, recognizes that Christ made Peter the leader of His new Church and Pope Benedict XVI is Peter's direct successor.

"What separates us as believers in Christ is much less than what unites us." (Pope John XXIII)

Almost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians.

Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):

By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.

There are many minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, I believe, do not matter that much.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Catholics are Christians. I am a Catholic. We believe in Jesus, that He died to set us free and will return again, we have bible studies, we go to communion, we have a choir, Sunday school, we do all the same things any other church would do. We call our priest Father, we have a deacon, and the people of the congregation are very active in the Sunday Mass. We have greeters every Sunday, we have readers that read the Word of God, we have euchiristic ministers that help the priest with communion. We have coffee hour, women's guild, faith sharing meetings, prayer and worship committee - al the things everyone else does inchurch. But above all we are Christians.

Answer 3

A simple question but not a simple answer.

They're the original Christian denomination; all other branches came from Catholicism. They're very big on traditions and some of their doctrine differs significantly from Protestants (i.e., the Eucharist, role of Mary, intercession, etc.)

Answer 4

Christians

Answer 5

Not really a simple question at all. As with all theology ("words about God") - words have meaning, and it is necessary to define your terms. I.e., "catholic"..."what does it mean?"

First of all...not all "Catholics" are "Roman" Catholics. The Creeds of the Ancient Church (The Apostle's, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds) know of only ONE kind of Church:

The "One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic" kind.

The word "catholic" is translated as "universal" so often, that, quite frankly, I want to scream! :-)

The word "catholic" is derived from two Greek words..."Kath" - "according to"...and "holos' - or "holon" - from which we get "holistic" - or. "the whole"

Catholic means: "According to the whole".

Now...since the "whole catholic church' is "one" (not divided), and "holy" (indwelt with the Holy Spirit) and "apostolic' (in the lineage of the Apostles) - then I would say that any church claiming water Baptism as necesary for salvation, and has Bishops in Apostolic Sucession...can claim that they are indeed "Catholic".

St. Vincent of Lerins, in what has become known as the "Vincentian Canon", claims the following about the Catholic Church:

"Now in the Catholic Church itself we take the greatest care to hold that which has been believed everywhere, always and by all. That is truly and properly 'Catholic,' "

I believe that St. Vincent was right....I add nothing to the Tradition of the Apostolic Fathers, I add nothing to Scripture, I was Baptized, Confirmed in the Faith and Ordained by a Bishop in Apostolic Sucession....

I am fully "Catholic" in every sense of the word, as defined, and as expanded upon by St. Vincent.

I am just not "Roman Catholic". I am Anglican.

I cannot teach "Purgatory" (not declared as an essential dogma by Rome until 1870's), the "Immaculate Conception" (ditto), the un-married, celibate Priesthood (not until the 11th Century) or the "infallibility of the Pope" (1870's) - because these things were not believed:

"everywhere, always and by all." (again, St. Vincent's Canon)

I believe that my Brethren in the Eastern Orthodox churches would have a similar view for similar reasons....but they would quote different Saints (Basil, Gregory of Nazianzen, John Chrysostom, etc.)

Answer 6

we are odd beings from another bygone planet that seek residence upon your planet.

*sarcasm


we are actually a religious group of people that started after the Resurrection of Christ, and we are well known as the first Christians. Now as far as what we believe is concerned then the list is far to long to put here. however feel free to email me any questions you have.

Answer 7

Catholics call themselves Christians. They believe in traditions as well as the Bible. Catholics are not of the family of Evangelical Christians who teach the Bible and only the Bible.

Answer 8

Catholics are people whose religion is that of the Roman Catholic Church. They belong to the umbrella of "Christians."

Answer 9

Persons who follow the teachings of Jesus as passed through the direct succession of believers from the original apostles, and the traditions of Christians that are consistent with those teachings.

Answer 10

Catholics are Christians who belong to the Holy Roman Church. This was the first major Christian church. Most Christian faiths can easily trace their beginnings back to the Roman Catholic Church.