What's the difference between "Catholic" and "Roman Catholic"?

Answer 1

"Catholic Church" refers to any of the 23 churches that have their origin with the Apostles. They include
Coptic
Ethiopic
Maronite
Syrian
Syro-Malankara
Armenian
Cakdean
Syro-Malabar
Albanian
Belarusian Greek
Bulgarian Greek
Byzantine
Greek Byzantine
Hungarian Greek
Italo-Albanian
Macedonian Greek]
Melkite Greek
Romanian
Russian Byzantine
Rutherian
Slovak
Ukranian Greek

Answer 2

The Catholic Church has consistently referred to itself as the “Catholic Church” at least since 107 AD, when the term appears in the writings of St. Ignatius of Antioch

The term "Roman" Catholic is rather recent.

The new Anglican Church in England started using the term “Roman” in the 1500s as one of many ways of demeaning and demonizing Catholics.

Catholics accepted this late coming adjective without too much protest. Today “Catholic” and “Roman Catholic” are interchangeable terms. Both terms are even used in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

To add a little more confusion, some apply the term “Roman Catholic Church” only to the Latin Rite Catholic Church, excluding the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches that are in full communion with the Pope, and are part of the same Church, under the Pope.

The term “Roman” neither increases nor decreases the faith, hope and love of the Catholic Church.

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

The prefix "Roman" was not used much before the 16th century. It went with "papist" and other insults from the Anglicans. For a time, it was illegal to go to Mass, or carry a Catholic bible. Persecution was heavy.

Over time, the term "Roman" just stuck, as it is a word indicating the centrality of authority and oneness of doctrines.

As a Catholic, I never use the term "Roman" Catholic. The historical importance of having Rome, the capital of the known world and the hub of Christianity, is no longer understood in those terms. It's just a city in Italy as far as most people care.

If Peter ruled the Church from Paris, we would be called "Parisian Catholics". Or if Peter ruled the Church from Jerico, we would b e called Jericonian Catholics. The prefix is irrelavant, but God designed it to be Rome.

Answer 4

roman catholic has the pope as the head of the church,following the line of popes from st peter to the present day. catholic means universal and was first used by st ignatius an early church father around 110. the other form of catholic church is eastern orthodox,they follow the same teachings as the roman catholics but do not answer to or have a pope. you can look up wikipedia for more details.

Answer 5

catholic with a small c means universal. just like in the various protestant denominations, there are variations of Catholics - Roman, Eastern Orthodox, Orthodox.... only the Roman Catholics have the heirachy of the pope on earth. the other Catholic denominations respect and work together (thanks to pope John Paul 2). You will often find in the US, Poland or other countried where it is predominantly Roman Catholic, the term Catholic (with a cap C) is used just as you would Roman Catholic.

Answer 6

Yes, there is.

There are several Christian denominations who call themselves Catholic. "Roman Catholic" is the denomination that recognizes the Pope as the leader of the church in the line of sucession that goes back to St. Peter.

(As a sidenote, the word "catholic" with a small "c" means universal.)

Answer 7

It has to do with the people believing in Catholic principles but disagreeing with the pope being "infallible". Then again there are places where the Catholic religion has been integrated with indigenous religions and it no longer adheres to edicts made at the Vatican.

Answer 8

Not all Catholics (i.e the Anglican church) are run by Rome.

Answer 9

that Christans cant Even agree on one thing