How 'universal' is the Catholic Church?

[MH84]

Some meanings of universal from www.dictionary.com

1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of all or the whole: universal experience.
2. applicable everywhere or in all cases; general: a universal cure.
3. affecting, concerning, or involving all: universal military service.
4. used or understood by all: a universal language.
5. present everywhere: the universal calm of southern seas.
6. versed in or embracing many or all skills, branches of learning, etc.: Leonardo da Vinci was a universal genius.
7. of or pertaining to the universe, all nature, or all existing things: universal cause.
8. characterizing all or most members of a class; generic.

Is the Catholic Church truly universal?

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Some meanings of universal from www.dictionary.com

1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of all or the whole: universal experience.
2. applicable everywhere or in all cases; general: a universal cure.
3. affecting, concerning, or involving all: universal military service.
4. used or understood by all: a universal language.
5. present everywhere: the universal calm of southern seas.
6. versed in or embracing many or all skills, branches of learning, etc.: Leonardo da Vinci was a universal genius.
7. of or pertaining to the universe, all nature, or all existing things: universal cause.
8. characterizing all or most members of a class; generic.

Is the Catholic Church truly universal?

I find it comforting that, at every minute, mass is being offered somewhere in the world and I am joined to that mass and so are all the angels and saints in heaven. So I would go with #5.

 

[Rbt_Southwell]

Yes.

Remember, people usually don’t refer to dictionaries when starting movements or spreading the Gospel.

Besides, dictionaries are a relatively modern invention.

Many patristic writers called our Church “universal” for a variety of reasons: the different ‘nations’ * of people who were its members; the various local influences [vestments, music, worship traditions, local ‘genius’ cults] on liturgical expression; the universality of its message; the universality of its application across time and space; and, of course, the fact that at its founding by Jesus and for St Peter and his fellow Apostle-Bishops (we didn’t have ‘priests’ then) it was the

only Christian Church in existence

I hope this helps.

Robert*

 

[MH84]

Yes.

Remember, people usually don’t refer to dictionaries when starting movements or spreading the Gospel.

Besides, dictionaries are a relatively modern invention.

Many patristic writers called our Church “universal” for a variety of reasons: the different ‘nations’ * of people who were its members; the various local influences [vestments, music, worship traditions, local ‘genius’ cults] on liturgical expression; the universality of its message; the universality of its application across time and space; and, of course, the fact that at its founding by Jesus and for St Peter and his fellow Apostle-Bishops (we didn’t have ‘priests’ then) it was the

only Christian Church in existence*

I hope this helps.

Robert

Maybe they didnt know how big the universe actually is?

If have to remember at the time they thought the earth was flat. They also didnt know how many civilisations were out there eg. like in Australia, the Americas, maybe the far east.

 

[MH84]

I find it comforting that, at every minute, mass is being offered somewhere in the world and I am joined to that mass and so are all the angels and saints in heaven.

I have often wondered if this is literally true? If it is, it is truly amazing.

 

[Rbt_Southwell]

If have to remember at the time they thought the earth was flat. They also didnt know how many civilisations were out there eg. like in Australia, the Americas, maybe the far east.

Well, many people who have left records (such as those pesky Greeks) knew the world to be a sphere of some sort.

And rumors and tales of rumors abounded about the Kingdom of Prester John and Ultima Thule and the Blessed Isles and so forth.

Geography was not the concern of the Apostles when they went forth after Pentacost to spread the Good News. St Thomas went to India (hence our Malabar brothers in the Catholic Church). Some went to various points in Africa and north to the Steppes.

The missionary progress continued: witness the Portuguese, the French and the Spanish spreading commerce AND the Gospel, sometimes with mixed results.

Robert

 

[MH84]

Can the Church be found in every country of the world?

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

Some meanings of universal from www.dictionary.com

1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of all or the whole: universal experience.
2. applicable everywhere or in all cases; general: a universal cure.
3. affecting, concerning, or involving all: universal military service.
4. used or understood by all: a universal language.
5. present everywhere: the universal calm of southern seas.
6. versed in or embracing many or all skills, branches of learning, etc.: Leonardo da Vinci was a universal genius.
   **7. of or pertaining to the universe, all nature, or all existing things: universal cause. **8. characterizing all or most members of a class; generic.

Is the Catholic Church truly universal?

Persnally, #7, I like this definition, because it reminds me of the universal number 12. 12 tribes of Israel, Solomon appointed 12 rulers over his empire, Jesus Christ covered the whole earth with just 12 apostles. It indicates a complete cycle, a universal (Catholic) completeness, to have 12 of something, you have all of it, all that there is in the world.(thoughts of 12 from the science of Gematra). twelve months to complete a year, 12 Zodiacs.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

Can the Church be found in every country of the world?

I believe I read something to that in a catechism called life in Christ. That the Catholic church can be found in every country of the world.

How I got the just of that, was through Pope John Paul the Great, who spoke some, I think it was 15 different languages and many fluently, If any one knows the correct amount? please inform me.

I found it interesting to know alot of our priest and religious speak many different tongues, and when the Church speaks in different tongues, there is always an interpreter, sounds like one of St.Pauls teachings.

The apostolic (Catholic Church) ministry of Jesus is fulfilling his command to go out into all nations, baptizing them in the blessed trinity.