Does the Roman Catholic Church Really mean Roman Universal Church?

Question

I have a few other questions.
1. What the hell is a Pope and vaticans, I thought we had to follow things like prophets or apostles and things of that nature?
2. What do most of the Catholic priests wear on of the most finest linen in the world, especially in the vatican city?
3.Now Im a LDS member, and one time I entered a catholic church in Oakland and im telling you: there is nothing holy about it a bit, It feeelllsss.......just empty?
4.What is up with all that gold, I bet you if Christ was to walk in one of those churches I gaurantee you he will just trash the place up.....COMPLETLY?
5. Why is a Pope part of politics anyways man, I thought he was a MAN of God?
6.Is it suppose to be a Roman Christian Church, not a Roman Catholic Church?

Answer 1

+ Catholic +

Catholic means universal.

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

Wherever the bishop appear, there let the multitude be; even as wherever Christ Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church.

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-smyrnaeans-hoole.html

All of this was long before the Council of Nicea and the Nicene Creed from 325 A.D. which states, "We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church."

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07644a.htm

+ Roman +

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.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13121a.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic

+ The Pope +

John 21:15-17 states:

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

He then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (Jesus) said to him, "Feed my sheep.

Matthew 16:17-19 states:

Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

The Catholic Church believes the Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock.

The Pope is the senior pastor of 1.1 billion Catholics, the direct successor of Simon Peter.

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p4.htm#880

+ Politics +

Jesus said, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:18-20)

The Catholic Church has been teaching world governments what it believes is right and wrong since the ancient Romans stopped persecuting it and long before anyone heard of the freedom of speech.

The Catholic Church protested about the blood sports in the Roman Colosseum and they were stopped.

I don't think the Church is going to (or should) stop teaching the world governments what is right or wrong now.

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

1. The Pope is the apostolic successor to the apostle Peter. Jesus took Saul and renamed him Peter(Petra in the Greek, it means rock) and then said "On this rock i will build my church... whatever you loose on heaven will be loosed on earth." and there are many other verses that set down Peter as the first human leader of the church, the Pope's are elected successors to that line.
There is only one Vatican. It is the central headquarters of the Church. People often think that St. Peters or the Vatican are where the Pope lives, in lush and expensive tastes. Actually, the Pope lives in a very small, small and humble apartment on the grounds.
2. Don't most people dress up for church? Now, if you understood catholic beliefs about the Eucharist, you would understand the deep, reverant, and close feelings and position the priests have to that. They wear the nice things only at mass, in celebration and honor of the Eucharist. After mass, at other times the priests will wear thier wool cassocks, or whatever low peice of garment their order prefers. They do not wear expensive things to show themselves off, infact, other than at mass, the priests often just wear something cotten or wool, and only one color. (two if order requires)
3.I guess that is your opinion isnt it? Remember though, you seem awfully biased, and that was only 1 of the millions of Catholic Churches.
4.Do you remember in the Old Testament, when Moses was told to build a tabernacle by God? He was told to build it with the finest materials" gold, jewels, fine clothe. The church, at least for Catholics, is a place of God, just like that tabernacle, it is a holy place of worship where everything there is has been given and dedicated to God. It is also the building that holds a tabernacle. It is not to be showy, yet to put people in a vivid, beautiful place, where they can think of the splendor of God, worship, and pray.
5. The Pope is a very influential man in the world, one who speaks for over 1 billion Catholics. This gives him a very heavy burden that he does not take lightly. He is the voice of the church, and will speak of what is morally right and wrong, but also try to foster peaceful relations with other peoples/countries. The Pope is a very humble man, and the Pope currently is also very intelligent and witty. He does what he does for a reason, but it is for a better, more peaceful and loving world.
6. I guess I don't quite understand the last question. Catholic are Christian, in fact, they were the first Christians. They were this unitl the 1100's when the Orthodox Catholics schismed, and then until the 1600's when the Protestants did their revolt. The Catholic church always was, and always will be Christian, and the fullest extent of Christianity as well.

Answer 3

>>What the hell is a Pope and vaticans, I thought we had to follow things like prophets or apostles and things of that nature?<<

All our bishops are successors of the original 12 Apostles. The Pope is the successor of the Apostle Peter, to whom Christ entrusted His flock (John 21:15-17).

>>2. What do most of the Catholic priests wear on of the most finest linen in the world, especially in the vatican city?<<

I've never seen such a thing. All the priests I know wear modestly priced poly/cotton blend shirts.

>>4.What is up with all that gold, I bet you if Christ was to walk in one of those churches I gaurantee you he will just trash the place up.....COMPLETLY?<<

Nope. Read John 12:3-8. You sound just like Judas.

>>5. Why is a Pope part of politics anyways man, I thought he was a MAN of God?<<

The Pope is concerned with human rights, not politics.

>>Is it suppose to be a Roman Christian Church, not a Roman Catholic Church?<<

Usually she is just called "the Church", because she is THE Church Christ founded. "Catholic" refers to the universal Church, as opposed to dioceses, which are also called Churches. "Roman" has generally been imposed by outsiders who wish to claim they are "Catholic" as well, while at the same time thumbing their nose at Peter.

Answer 4

Thank-you for being so polite in your question. I wish more people wrote questions as you do. I think strictly speaking you are correct in pointing out the inconsistency regarding the use of the terms Roman and Catholic. At one time, no Catholic would have called themselves "Roman Catholic." This would have been the case during the days of the Roman Empire, when calling yourself Roman would have been like saying today that you are an "American" Catholic. It would have been unnecessary and needlessly confusing. That being said, the use of the label Roman Catholic today distinguishes those who identify with the Pope, or the Bishop of Rome from those who do not have such an attachment. Finally to respond to the charge that the Roman Catholic Church is not Catholic and that Protestantism better represents this conception of Christ's body in terms of unity of belief and institutional structure, I have this to say: Look around you. Last time I looked the number of Protestant denominations was 30,000 and still growing. Are there 30,000 Christs? Is this the unity that Jesus prayed for? Hardly. A return to the unity of the Roman Catholic Church was what a significant number of Anglicans recently decided was best. One can only hope that after 500 years of discord a significant number of other thoughtful Protestants will seek institutional unity with the Roman Catholic Church as well.

Answer 5

Yes, the word "catholic" also means "universal," and it certainly meant that when it was first applied to the Church, which considered itself worldwide.

As for your other questions:
1. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church. It was structured like the Roman Empire, because that's what they knew then, and is thus heirarchical. There's only one Vatican--it's where the Pope lives.
2. I'm not familiar with what the priests wear.
3. Despite that I'm no longer Catholic, I can't enter a cathedral without feeling a wash of holiness across me. I assume it's because of all the generations of people who have worshipped there.
4. The gold is considered a sign of respect for God--that God gets the best stuff.
5. The Pope isn't officially involved in politics--he doesn't run for office. What he says carries weight because he's the Pope. Also, people keep asking him what he thinks. Because he's Pope.
6. The Roman Catholic Church *is* Christian. It's called Roman because it's based in Rome, and has been (more or less) since it was founded by a Roman Emporer in the 4th century. It's also called "Roman" to separate it from the Eastern Orthodox form of the Church. As you point out in your initial question--Catholic means "worldwide" or "universal."

Answer 6

1) How would an LDS member recognize a true prophet, no matter what he was called?

2) They wear it for God, because God is very particular about the vestments his priests wear, and God literally becomes present on the altar at every Catholic Mass.

3) You obviously failed to recognize the real and substantial presence of Jesus Christ that was most certainly there, at the time. Perhaps you two have never met?

4) You are presumptious to attempt to speak for God. Read the o.t. books which specify the type and quality of vessels used for temple service and get back to me on this.

5) The world belongs to God and the pope is God's true representative on this earth, answerable to God alone.

6) It is what it is.

Answer 7

Where have you been ? Maybe if I went into your Church, which I won't, I will feel the same about your church being empty, and my Church is not empty it is filled with God and love
Why don't you do a search on the Catholic Church and find out your information there
And yes the Catholic Church means Universal

Answer 8

The History of the Roman Catholic Church covers a period of just under two thousand years, making the Church one of the oldest religious institutions in history. As one of the oldest branches of Christianity (the Eastern Orthodox and some other churches are also "apostolic" in origin -- i.e., they also date their origins back to the founding of the Christian Church at the time of the Apostles), the history of the Roman Catholic Church plays an integral part of the History of Christianity as a whole. For the sake of simplicity, the term "Catholic Church" as it is used in this article refers specifically to the Catholic Church founded in Rome, and presided over by their governing Bishop, commonly known as the Pope.

The history of the Catholic Church is vast and complex, covering many different eras in which the Church was a key influence in the course of European and world civilization. Yet, the Catholic Church is basically unchanged in its substantial teachings and organisation since the dawn of the Christian era in the first century.

Over time, schisms have disrupted the unity of Christianity. The two largest of these involved the separation from the Catholic Church of Orthodox Christianity the (East-West Schism) and Protestantism (the Reformation) respectively. The Catholic Church has been the moving force in some of the major events of world history including the Evangelization of Europe and Latin America, the spreading of literacy and the foundation of the Universities, hospitals, monasticism, the development of Art, Music and Architecture, the Inquisition, the Crusades, an analytical philosophical method, and the downfall of Communism in Eastern Europe in the late 20th century.
The Catholic Church's institutional basis is the the person and teachings of Jesus as described in the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These describe Jesus as an observant Jewish carpenter from the region of Galilee, who was both the promised Messiah or anointed one (Christos in Greek, giving rise to the title Jesus Christ) and son of God, in fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy. Catholicism thus considers itself a successor religion to Judaism with the Christian God and the God of the Jews seen as one and the same.
To Simon Peter, Jesus had earlier stated that he would entrust to him the keys to Heaven and that upon the "rock" (Latin Petrus) of Peter he would found his Church. The Catholic Church sees its history as beginning at this point, with the Pope as the successor of Saint Peter.

The office of universal ecclesiastical history is, as its name implies, to exhibit a well-balanced description of all phases of ecclesiastical life. The investigation and treatment of the various phenomena in the life of the Church furnish the material of which universal church history is built. It must first treat of the one true Church which from the time of the Apostles, by its uninterrupted existence and its unique attributes, has proved itself that Christian association which is alone in full possession of revealed truth: the Catholic Church. It must, moreover, deal with those other religious associations which claim to be the Church of Christ, but in reality originated through separation from the true Church. The Catholic historian does not admit that the various forms of the Christian religion may be taken, roughly speaking, as a connected whole, nor does he consider them one and all as so many imperfect attempts to adapt the teachings and institutions of Christ to the changing needs of the times, nor as progressive steps towards a future higher unity wherein alone we must seek the perfect ideal of Christianity. There is but one Divine revelation given us by Christ, but one ecclesiastical tradition based on it; hence one only Church can be the true one, i. e. the Church in which the aforesaid revelation is found in its entirety, and whose institutions have developed on the basis of this revelation and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To assume equality among the various forms of the Christian religion would be equivalent to a denial of the Divine origin and supernatural character of the Church.

While, however, the Catholic Church is the central subject of universal ecclesiastical history, all other forms of the Christian religion must also be considered by it, for they originated by secession from the true Church, and their founders, in so far as each form can be traced back to a founder, were externally members of the Church. Some of these separated bodies still retain among their institutions certain ecclesiastical forms which were in common use at the time of their separation from the Church, wherefore a knowledge of such institutions is of no little use to students of ecclesiastical conditions previous to the separation. This is true in a special manner of the Oriental Christian communities, their liturgy and discipline. Moreover, such schismatic bodies became, as a rule, the bitterest enemies of the Church; they harassed and persecuted its faithful adherents and endeavoured in every way to induce them also to secede. New doctrinal discussions arose as a result of these secessions, ending usually in fuller and more exact statements of Christian teaching, and new methods had to be adopted to nullify the attacks made by apostates on the Catholic Faith. In this way non-Catholic communities have often indirectly influenced the development of the interior life of the Church and the growth of new institutions.

The vast material which, from these points of view, a universal history of the Church must treat, calls of course for methodical arrangement. Ecclesiastical history has generally been divided into three chief periods, each of which is subdivided into shorter epochs characterized by changes of a less universal nature.

Source(s):

wikipedia

Catholic encyclopedia

Answer 9

Nope. catholic is catholic is catholic.