The word Catholic

[Esperanza]

Where did the word “Catholic” come from? Shouldn’t you call yourselves Christians? Who first used that word?

 

[SusanL]

We are Christians. The word “Catholic” means universal as in the universal church. Protestants use the word with a small “c” meaning all of Christendom. I am a Roman Catholic convert so I can only speak from what I know. I believe that the term “catholic” was first used in the first century. Help me out, folks. Was it Ignatious of Antioch? Anyways, I think that the pope was in Rome by then so that is why we are called Roman Catholics.

Other Catholics, I apologize for my lack of knowledge. There is so much for me to learn.

Sue

 

[germys9]

The word catholic was first used in the writings of St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch (Appointed by Peter) around the year 100-110 AD. He used the word to describe the church that Jesus founded which could be distinguished from all the heretical teachings or groups of the time. He used the word in such a way that it seemed like it had already been used for a while even though he wrote very early. The meaning of the word is universal but also “according to the whole.” When he used it, he assumed that Jesus’ church was universal and contained the whole truth which Jesus had taught. So, in fact we are Christians, but the word Catholic is a description of what Christ’s (the Christian) church is supposed to be. Here is a good link of where the term “Roman” catholic came from. cin.org/users/james/questions/q072.htm

It wasn’t used until much later in the church’s history and was originally used to make fun of the true catholics. We are in fact Catholics of the Latin rite. Just for fun here is another qoute from St. Ignatius concerning the church that Jesus founded.

“Take note of those who hold heterodox opinions on the grace of Jesus Christ which has come to us, and see how contrary their opinions are to the mind of God. . . . They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins and which that Father, in his goodness, raised up again. They who deny the gift of God are perishing in their disputes” (*Letter to the Smyrnaeans *6:2–7:1 [A.D. 110]).

 

[moira]

SusanL:

We are Christians. The word “Catholic” means universal as in the universal church. . Was it Ignatious of Antioch?

SusanL You are absolutely right. Catholic comes from a Greek word meaning universal. And you are correct about Ignatius. He wrote, “Where the bishop is present, there let the congregation gather, just as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.”
No historical entity has ever been called the Christian Church.The term only came into use by people unwilling to concede that the entity still known as the Catholic Church- IS the Church.

 

[La_Chiara]

germys–Thanks for the awesome link about the origin of the terms “Roman Catholic”. It clarified much that I had mostly figured out. Also, I loved the last line of the quote from St. Ignatious, written 1900 years ago:

“They who deny the gift of God are perishing in their disputes” (Letter to the Smyrnaeans 6:2–7:1 [A.D. 110]

It resounds, perhaps even more so, today!

 

[jeffreedy789]

i’d also like to point out that ‘christians’ was a word that was not immediately applied to people who followed Christ. in other words, it’s as much of ‘just a name’ to be called a christian as it is to be called a catholic.

acts 11:23 tells us that the disciples of Jesus were first called Christians at Antioch - ‘christian’ meaning ‘little Christs’. it’s an appropriate nomenclature, but not necessary. sometimes i wonder if the title ‘christian’ carries so much negative baggage today that it would be better to simply be called a disciple of Christ, or a ‘follower of the Way’, as we were originally called.

anyway, all that just to say that names don’t make us who we are, and there’s nothing to worry about if i am or am not called a christian - it matters much more that i live like one.

 

[La_Chiara]

I have heard Catholic priests use the term “Catholic Christian” particularly when the discussion is of an ecumenical nature (involving other religions and denominations). I have come to use this term when I am talking to a non-Catholic Christian of the fundamentalist Catholics-are-not-Christian persuasion. I am curious what others think about calling ourselves “Catholic Christian”.

 

[Becky]

“Catholic” simply means universal, and it means all Christians.

“Where the bishop is present, there let the congregation gather, just as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic (i.e. universal) Church.”

Ignatius is correct:

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 18:20

I hope that answers your question!

YSIC,
Becky

 

[La_Chiara]

“Catholic” simply means universal, and it means all Christians.

I hope that answers your question!

YSIC,
Becky

So Becky, you consider yourself to be Catholic! I didn’t know that! Welcome home to Rome!

 

[Esperanza]

Thank you. That does answer my question.

I think it’d be fair to warn you that this daughter of a Baptist minister as well as the wife to one, will have plenty of questions and will bombard you with everyone single one

 

[LindaS]

Esperanza,
You are most welcome to post any and all questions you have about the Catholic Church. I know there are many knowledgeable people here who will be glad to answer them.

Peace,
Linda

 

[germys9]

Esperanza:

Thank you. That does answer my question.

I think it’d be fair to warn you that this daughter of a Baptist minister as well as the wife to one, will have plenty of questions and will bombard you with everyone single one

Esperanza, you are welcome to ask anything you want. There is no question you can ask that the Catholic church can not legitimately explain or answer. In her 2000 year history, she has seen and heard it all, and she is still here as strong as ever proclaiming the true gospel that came from Jesus and his apostles. But do ask with an open heart with a real intent to learn and not just to try to “save” ignorant catholics.

 

[MariaG]

posted by La ChiaraI have heard Catholic priests use the term “Catholic Christian” particularly when the discussion is of an ecumenical nature (involving other religions and denominations). I have come to use this term when I am talking to a non-Catholic Christian of the fundamentalist Catholics-are-not-Christian persuasion. I am curious what others think about calling ourselves “Catholic Christian”.

I use Catholic Christian for the exact same reason. In fact, in my small town, since it is more than just the fundamentalist who seems to think Catholocs are not Christians, I’ve started to say it all the time. Even when people ask “what church do you go to?”, I say “I am a Catholic Christian, I attend St. Joseph’s here in town.”

Just a little way to establish where I stand, on Christ, before any further discussion develops

It is a shame that I and others feel obligated to “set the record straight” by adding Christian to Catholic. But I prefer to add Christian to it before someone else add one of the less flattering (as previously discussed) words.

And actually, I think, sometimes, it is a sort of battle cry for me. I proudly proclaim that I am Catholic AND Christian (or more accurately, the original Christian ). If you wish to challenge that, bring it on!

God Bless