Joshua Bennett
The word Catholic has two main usages: the first is of the Catholic faith, relating to the Catholic Church and its doctrines, sacraments, and worship. The second usage is more general and means universal or general. This usage is derived from the ancient Greek adjective katholikos, which means universal, and was first used in this context by Ignatius of Antioch in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans (circa 110 AD). The two usages of the word Catholic are related in that the Catholic Church, with its approximately 1 billion members worldwide, is a universal society founded by Christ, incorporating people from diverse backgrounds, including Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, men and women from every tribe and tongue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Etymology | The word "catholic" is derived from the Late Latin "catholicus", which comes from the ancient Greek adjective "katholikos" or καθόλου (katholou) meaning "on the whole, according to the whole, in general, universal, or general". |
| First Known Use | The first known use of the word "Catholic" was by Ignatius of Antioch in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans (circa 107 AD or 110 AD). |
| Ecclesiastical Usage | In Christian ecclesiology, "Catholic" refers to the Catholic Church or to the historic doctrine and practice of the Western Church. |
| Non-Ecclesiastical Usage | In non-religious usage, "Catholic" can mean including a wide variety of things or all-embracing. |
| Relation to Christianity | Catholicism is closely related to the interpretation of Christianity. Roman Catholicism, in particular, is considered a branch of Christendom and traces its origins to the beginnings of Christianity. |
| Relation to Other Churches | The term "Catholic" is also ascribed to other churches such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Church, and the Assyrian Church of the East. Additionally, it is used in churches that split from the Catholic Church, like Lutheranism and Anglicanism. |
| Definition of Catholicity | Catholicity refers to the belief in the ultimate unity of the universal church under one God and one Savior. It is associated with formal sacraments, episcopal polity, apostolic succession, and highly structured liturgical worship. |
| Sacred Congregations | The Catholic Church has various organizations, including sacred congregations, archdioceses, dioceses, provinces, religious orders, parishes, and more, which exhibit unique sociological phenomena. |
| Administrative Structure | The Catholic Church's administrative structure resembles a president and prime minister system, with the Pope as the head of state and the Cardinal Secretary of State as the head of government. |
| Sacraments | The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments, including Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Matrimony, and the Eucharist. |
| Doctrine | Catholic doctrine has developed over the centuries, reflecting direct teachings of early Christians, ecumenical council decisions, and theological debates. It is believed to be guided by the Holy Spirit and protected from falling into doctrinal error. |
| Mass and Liturgy | The Roman Rite is the most common form of worship in the Catholic Church, with the Mass celebrated in the local vernacular language since the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). |
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What You'll Learn
- 'Catholic' as a term originates from the Greek word 'katholikos' meaning universal
- The Catholic Church is the community led by the Pope in Rome
- The Catholic Church is also referred to as the Western Church
- Catholicism is the English form of the Late Latin 'catholicismus'
- Catholic Christianity is based on the Scriptures of the New Testament
'Catholic' as a term originates from the Greek word 'katholikos' meaning universal
The term "Catholic" is derived from the ancient Greek adjective καθολικός (katholikos), which means "universal". The word comes from the Greek phrase καθόλου (katholou), meaning "on the whole, according to the whole, in general", and is a combination of the Greek words κατά (kata), meaning "about", and ὅλος (holos), meaning "whole".
The first known use of the word "Catholic" was by the church father Ignatius of Antioch in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans (circa 110 AD). In this letter, Ignatius of Antioch referred to the "Catholic Church", marking the earliest recorded evidence of this term. The phrase "Catholic Church" was used to refer to the aggregate of all Christian congregations, as opposed to a particular local church.
The term "Catholic" has a rich history and several usages in the context of Christian ecclesiology. In English, it can refer to "the Catholic faith" or "the historic doctrine and practice of the Western Church". The title "Catholicos", used for the head of some churches in Eastern Christian traditions, also derives from the same linguistic origin.
The term "Catholic" entered many languages through Late Latin catholicus, becoming the basis for theological terms such as "Catholicism" and "Catholicity" (from Late Latin catholicismus and catholicitas, respectively). "Catholicism" refers specifically to the Catholic Church in Modern Greek.
Over time, the word "Catholic" took on a secondary meaning of "orthodox" or "non-heretical". This evolution occurred because Catholics claimed to teach the whole truth and represent the whole Church, while heretical teachings were considered partial and local. The 5th-century Vincentian Canon defined "Catholic" as "what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all".
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The Catholic Church is the community led by the Pope in Rome
The Catholic Church, led by the Pope in Rome, is the largest of the three major branches of Christianity. The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the head of the Holy See, the Roman Catholic Church's central government. The Pope's primacy is derived from his position as the successor of St. Peter, who was the head of the Apostles of Jesus. The Pope is also known as the Vicar of Christ, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, and Sovereign of the Vatican City State. The Pope's residence is in Vatican City, an enclave in Rome.
The Catholic Church's interpretation is closely related to the interpretation of Christianity. According to the official Roman Catholic view, the Roman Catholic Church has maintained continuity since the days of the Apostles, while all other denominations are deviations. The Catholic Church believes that Jesus personally appointed Peter as the head of the Church, and that the Pope, as the successor of Peter, is the head of the bishops.
The term "Catholic" is derived from the ancient Greek adjective "katholikos", meaning "universal". The word was first used by Ignatius of Antioch in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans (circa 110 AD). From the second half of the second century, the term began to be associated with orthodoxy and was used to refer to those who taught the whole truth and represented the whole Church. In 380, Emperor Theodosius I decreed that only those following the faith of Pope Damasus I of Rome could be called "Catholic Christians".
The Catholic Church is a complex institution, with various organizations such as dioceses, provinces, religious orders, parishes, and more. The Pope is at the apex of this structure, with the cardinal secretary of state serving as the head of government. The Pope has full and supreme power over the Catholic Church, making decisions on faith, morality, and church discipline.
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The Catholic Church is also referred to as the Western Church
The term "Catholic Church" has a rich history and several usages. The word "Catholic" comes from the Greek phrase "καθόλου" (katholou), meaning "on the whole, according to the whole, in general". In the context of Christian ecclesiology, the term "Catholic" can refer to the Catholic faith or the historic doctrine and practices of the Western Church. The Catholic Church, led by the Pope in Rome, is also referred to as the Western Church. This is because, historically, the Christian church was culturally divided between the Latin-speaking West, centred in Rome, and the Greek-speaking East, centred in Constantinople.
The Western Church, or Latin Church, developed under the bishop of Rome and gave rise to a variety of independent Protestant denominations, including Lutheranism and Anglicanism. The Latin Church continues to use Latin liturgical rites, while Protestant denominations and Independent Catholicism employ various liturgical practices. The Western Church is also distinguished from the Eastern Church by its interpretation of sin and its belief in purgatory.
The Catholic Church is considered "Western" not only in terms of language and geography but also in its theology and liturgy. For example, the Western version of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed includes the phrase "God from God" (Latin: "Deum de Deo"), which is not found in the original Greek text. Additionally, the Western Church calculates the date of Easter based on the Gregorian calendar, while the Eastern Church uses the Julian calendar.
The East-West Schism, also known as the Great Schism of 1054, formally divided the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. This schism was preceded by a series of ecclesiastical differences and theological disputes, including the procession of the Holy Spirit (Filioque), the use of leavened or unleavened bread in the Eucharist, and the Pope's claim to universal jurisdiction. Despite efforts at reconciliation, such as the Second Council of Lyon in 1274 and the Council of Florence in 1439, the East-West Schism has persisted, with the Catholic Church maintaining its distinct identity as the Western Church.
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Catholicism is the English form of the Late Latin 'catholicismus'
The term "Catholicism" is the English form of the Late Latin "catholicismus", an abstract noun based on the adjective "catholic". The term "catholic" is derived from the Late Latin "catholicus", which comes from the ancient Greek adjective "καθολικός (katholikos)" meaning "universal". It originates from the Greek phrase "καθόλου (katholou)" meaning "on the whole, according to the whole, in general", and is a combination of the Greek words "κατά (kata)" ("about") and "ὅλος (holos)" ("whole").
The first known use of the term "Catholic" was by Ignatius of Antioch in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans (circa 107-110 AD). From the second half of the second century, the word "catholic" began to be used to mean "orthodox" (non-heretical). This was because Catholics claimed to teach the whole truth and represent the whole Church, while heresy was seen as arising from the exaggeration of a single truth and was thus partial and local.
The term "Catholic" has a rich history and several usages in the context of Christian ecclesiology. In English, it can mean "of the Catholic faith" or "relating to the historic doctrine and practice of the Western Church". The word "Catholicos", used as a title for the head of some churches in Eastern Christian traditions, is derived from the same linguistic root.
The term "Catholic Church" first appeared in the Letter to the Smyrnaeans, written by Ignatius of Antioch around 107 AD to Christians in Smyrna. The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptised members worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions and has played a significant role in the development of Western civilisation. The Church is made up of 24 autonomous churches, including the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, each overseen by one or more bishops.
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Catholic Christianity is based on the Scriptures of the New Testament
The term "Catholic" is derived from the ancient Greek adjective "katholikos", meaning "universal". In the context of Christian ecclesiology, it has multiple usages. In English, it can refer to "of the Catholic faith" or "relating to the historic doctrine and practice of the Western Church". The term "Catholic" is closely related to the use of the term "Catholic Church".
Catholic Christianity, or Roman Catholicism, is one of the interpretations of Christianity. It is based on three main sources of authority, as set forth by Irenaeus (c. 130–c. 200): the Scriptures of the New Testament, the episcopal centres established by the Apostles, and the apostolic tradition of normative doctrine. The New Testament, comprising twenty-seven books attributed to eight authors, is the principal source of early Christian history in the first century. It is divided into historical books (Gospels and Acts), didactic books (Epistles), and a prophetical book (Apocalypse). The Gospels narrate the life of Jesus Christ and the history of the Apostles and are subdivided into synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) and the fourth Gospel (John).
The New Testament also provides the only hint of infant baptism in the Bible, in Acts 16:33, where the whole household of the Philippian jailer was baptised. However, the context does not mention infants specifically. The Roman Catholic Church teaches baptismal regeneration of infants, which is not found in Scripture. Instead, the Bible states that baptism is practiced after saving faith in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:14-18; Romans 10:13-17).
Furthermore, the New Testament teaches the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9), which contradicts the Roman Catholic Church's teaching of a distinction between the clergy and "lay people". Additionally, the practice of praying to Mary and the saints, as taught by the Roman Catholic Church, is not in line with Scripture, which instructs believers to pray only to God (Matthew 6:9; Luke 18:1-7).
While Catholic Christianity draws on the Scriptures of the New Testament, there are also notable differences and interpretations that set it apart from other Christian denominations.
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Frequently asked questions
The term 'Catholic' comes from the Greek word 'katholikos', which is a combination of 'kata' (concerning) and 'holos' (whole). It means 'regarding the whole', or universal.
The term 'Catholic' is used to refer to the Catholic Church, which is a community of those who are 'called out' and gathered into the universal society founded by Christ. The Catholic Church is also known as the Church of Rome and is led by the Pope.
In a non-religious context, the term 'Catholic' is used to describe something that includes a wide variety of things or is all-embracing.
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