Roman?

[judechild]

Does anyone else not like it when the Church is refered to as the “Roman Church”, or the “RC”? “Roman Catholic Church” I can understand, even though I’ve recently decided not to identify myself as “Roman Catholic” anymore - I think latin-rite is a better operative -but “Roman Church” sounds kind of cold. Am I just knit-picky?

 

[Angel_Gabriel]

I think the technical name is the Latin Catholic Church. The Roman Rite is one of the rites used by the Latin Church.

 

[robdaddyf]

It is my understanding that there are several reasons why “Roman” makes sense. One, the Church is based in Rome. For this reason it can be referred to as “Roman.” Perhaps you think that Roman sounds like “Roman Army” or “Roman Soldier” or something of this nature. I think it’s okay to not refer to yourself as “Roman Catholic” as most people, when they hear the word “Catholic” know what you’re talking about to some degree. They may not know the world “Catholic” means “Universal” but simply a designation or denomination…though we know that the Catholic Church is not a denomination per se as it has never split from itself.

You are right, however, that Roman is also a designation pertaining to the Latin rite. Why not try referring to yourself as, “Latin Catholic” and see what happens…let me know how that goes! ;o) Have a superb day! Now get ready for the real, better answers by people who actually know what they’re talking about. Ha!

 

[passus]

It is acceptable to use Roman to distinguish yourself from Catholics who consider themselves to be of other Latin liturgical rites and Eastern rite Catholics and in that context is in no way pejorative.

You are above all, though, a member of the “one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church” which is properly called the Catholic Church.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

It don’t bother me a bit. If I see Roman Catholic on the front of a church, and a statue of Our Lady, I know I’m in the right place. Greek Catholic and Armenian Catholic are fine too. St. Luke’s Catholic community that advertises Holy Eucharist at 7:30 daily makes me wonder a little. Is it or isn’t it.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

I think the technical name is the Latin Catholic Church. The Roman Rite is one of the rites used by the Latin Church.

I thought I was a Roman Catholic, Latin rite. Do we have any experts here? Who am I really?? Now I’m having an identity crisis.

And if that isn’t bad enough, there’s TLM, NO, EF, OF, TGIF, ETC.

I have to get off the computer now, I’m getting silly.

 

[Angel_Gabriel]

I thought I was a Roman Catholic, Latin rite. Do we have any experts here? Who am I really?? Now I’m having an identity crisis.

And if that isn’t bad enough, there’s TLM, NO, EF, OF, TGIF, ETC.

I have to get off the computer now, I’m getting silly.

well,actually we belong to (are enrolled in) a particular church, not a rite…so technically speaking we are Latin Catholics but hardly anybody uses that term…most people use Roman Catholic. In fact alot of times the churches i’ve seen just have Catholic on their signs. I’ve also seen Eastern Churches referring to themselves as Byzantine Catholic (later I found out what actual church they were; Ruthenian; Ukranian; Melkite etc)