Sarah Mitchell
The word Catholic comes from the Greek katholikos, a combination of kata, meaning about, and holos, meaning whole. The word was first used by Ignatius of Antioch in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans (circa 110 AD). In the context of Christian ecclesiology, the word has a rich history and several usages. In non-ecclesiastical use, it means including a wide variety of things or all-embracing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Derived from the Late Latin "catholicus" and the ancient Greek adjective "katholikos" |
| Original Meaning | "Regarding the whole", "universal", "world-wide", "all-inclusive", "general" |
| First Known Use | By the church father Ignatius of Antioch in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans (circa 110 AD) |
| Other Early Uses | By St. Polycarp of Smyrna, Cyril of Jerusalem, Augustine of Hippo |
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What You'll Learn
The word's Greek origin
The word "catholic" comes from the ancient Greek adjective "katholikos", which means "universal". It is derived from the Greek phrase "katholou", meaning "on the whole, according to the whole, in general". The word is a combination of two Greek words: "kata", meaning "about", and "holos", meaning "whole".
The first known use of the word "Catholic" was by Ignatius of Antioch, who was a young man during the time of the apostles and was the second bishop of Antioch following Peter. Ignatius was immersed in the living traditions of the local church in Antioch, where believers in Christ were first called Christians. He was taught and ordained by the apostles, from whom he learned about the functioning, growth, and governance of the Church.
In the context of Christian ecclesiology, the term "Catholic" has a rich history and several usages. In English, it can refer to "the Catholic faith" or "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, shares the same linguistic origin.
The term "catholic" conveys the idea of universality, inclusivity, and comprehensiveness. It suggests that the Catholic Church extends across the entire world and teaches universally, encompassing all doctrines and bringing people from diverse backgrounds into a unified community. This understanding of the word "catholic" has been emphasized by various early writers and religious figures, including Cyril of Jerusalem, who noted that the Church is called Catholic because it is spread throughout the world and teaches completely all the doctrines that should come to the knowledge of humankind.
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The first recorded use
In the letter, Ignatius exhorted Christians to remain closely united with their bishop: "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." This early use of the term "Catholic" emphasized the universality and inclusivity of the Church, reflecting its derivation from the Greek word "katholikos," meaning "universal," "world-wide," or "all-inclusive."
From the second half of the second century onwards, the word "Catholic" took on an additional sense of "orthodox" or "non-heretical." This evolution in meaning arose 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 considered partial and local. The Muratorian fragment, dating from around 170 AD, provides an early example of this secondary sense, referring to certain writings as "not received in the Catholic Church."
By the fourth century, the Church was explicitly described as Catholic by Cyril of Jerusalem, who emphasized its universal reach and its role in teaching the complete and defect-free doctrines that ought to come to the knowledge of men. The term "Catholic" was further developed and used in relation to Christianity by early writers such as Cyril of Jerusalem and Augustine of Hippo.
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The word's meaning
The word "Catholic" comes from the Greek "katholikos", derived from the combination of two Greek words, "kata" (meaning "about" or "concerning") and "holos" (meaning "whole"). The word in Greek can be translated to mean ""on the whole", "according to the whole", "in general", or simply universal. The first known use of the word "Catholic" was by Ignatius of Antioch in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans (circa 110 AD). In the letter, Ignatius exhorts Christians to remain united with their bishop, writing:
> "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."
In the centuries that followed, the word "Catholic" began to be associated with the idea of orthodoxy, or right belief, as opposed to heresy. This usage can be seen in early Christian writings such as the Muratorian fragment (circa 170 AD) and the teachings of Cyril of Jerusalem in the fourth century. By the late fourth century, Emperor Theodosius I had limited the use of the term "Catholic Christian" to those who followed the faith of Pope Damasus I of Rome and Pope Peter of Alexandria.
In the centuries since, the term "Catholic" has continued to be used to refer to the universal nature of the Catholic Church, as well as to distinguish it from other Christian groups and sects. The term "Catholic" is also used in a non-ecclesiastical sense to describe something that is all-embracing or inclusive of a wide variety of things.
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'Catholic' and 'orthodox'
The word "Catholic" comes from the Greek word "katholikos", which means universal. The word was first used by Ignatius of Antioch in his "Letter to the Smyrnaeans" in 110 AD. In the letter, he exhorted Christians to remain united with their bishop:
> "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."
From the second half of the second century, the word "Catholic" began to be associated with "orthodoxy" (as opposed to "heresy"), as Catholics claimed to teach the whole truth and represent the whole Church.
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church have been officially divided since the East-West Schism of 1054, caused by historical, linguistic, and theological differences. The main theological differences concern the authority of the Pope (also known as the "primacy of the Bishop of Rome"), the filioque clause, and the nature and function of the Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church views the Pope as "first among equals" with the Orthodox patriarchs, while the Catholic Church attributes to the primacy of the Pope "full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church". The filioque clause, which states that the Holy Spirit proceeds from "the Father and the Son", was added to the Latin Nicene Creed by Rome in 1014 and is seen as a modification by the Orthodox Church. In terms of ecclesiology, the Eastern Church relied more on Greek philosophy, while the Western Church was influenced by the Roman system of law.
Despite the differences, there have been attempts to heal the schism and reunify the two churches. The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) described the Orthodox Church as "separated brethren" with valid sacraments and an apostolic priesthood. In 1965, Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I of Constantinople jointly lifted the mutual excommunications of 1054. In 2007, representatives of both churches stated in the Ravenna Document that both sides accept the Bishop of Rome's primacy at the universal level, but differences remain over how this primacy should be exercised.
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'Catholic' in non-ecclesiastical use
The word "Catholic" comes from the Greek "katholikos", derived from the combination of the words "kata" (concerning) and "holos" (whole). It means "regarding the whole", or simply universal and general. The word "Catholic" is also used to mean ""orthodox" (non-heretical), as Catholics claimed to teach the whole truth and represent the whole Church.
In non-ecclesiastical use, the word "Catholic" is used to mean "including a wide variety of things" or "all-embracing". This is derived from its root meaning of "universal", which indicates something that is all-encompassing or all-inclusive.
For example, one might say, "We need to become more catholic in our attitudes", referring to the need to adopt a broader or more inclusive perspective. In this context, "catholic" is used with a lower-case "c" to distinguish it from the specific religious affiliation denoted by the uppercase "Catholic".
The word "catholic" in non-ecclesiastical usage emphasizes the idea of universality and inclusivity, reflecting its ancient Greek origin. It suggests an approach or attitude that is expansive and welcoming of diverse elements, ideas, or people. This usage aligns with the original meaning of the word, which was associated with the Catholic Church's belief in its universality and its claim to represent the whole truth.
The non-ecclesiastical use of "catholic", therefore, captures the essence of the word's historical connotation while adapting it to a broader context beyond religious doctrine. It conveys a sense of openness, acceptance, and a desire to embrace a wide range of perspectives, experiences, or beliefs.
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Frequently asked questions
The word 'Catholic' comes from the Greek word 'katholikos', which is a combination of the words 'kata' (meaning 'about') and 'holos' (meaning 'whole'). It means universal, world-wide, all-inclusive, or regarding the whole.
The first recorded use of the word is found in the writings of Ignatius of Antioch, who was a young man during the time of the apostles and was the second bishop of Antioch following Peter.
Ignatius of Antioch and St. Polycarp of Smyrna used the term 'Catholic' to refer to the Church that was already "everywhere", as opposed to sects, schisms, or splinter groups. The term was understood to be especially fitting because the Catholic Church was for everyone, not just enthusiasts or the specially initiated.
