What does it mean when a Church is Roman Catholic?

[YoungChristian]

I’m new to learning about Roman Catholicism, and I want to know what does it mean when a Church is Roman Catholic? Does it mean that they are Catholics from Rome? Thank You

 

[Crumpy]

It means that that local church is affiliated in the world-wide Church of Jesus Christ headquartered in Rome, under the leadership of the Pope. As stated in scripture, Jesus is the head of the Church.

It means that the Church – the people, not the building – have a faith in Jesus Christ and in him alone as their Savior.

The beliefs of the Catholic Church are stated, in detail, in a book which is called the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This book contains the “deposit of faith” – those things revealed in Scripture and by Sacred Tradition (see 2 Thess 2:15) which the members hold as a matter of faith.

You have to say a little bit more to express what’s on your mind. If you’re not a Roman Catholic, there are a lot of entries in the encyclopedia (see the very top of this webpage) which can answer a lot of your questions.

 

[Gorgias]

I’m new to learning about Roman Catholicism, and I want to know what does it mean when a Church is Roman Catholic? Does it mean that they are Catholics from Rome? Thank You

In the beginning of the Church, there were only ‘Christians’. Later, due to a number of factors, groups separated from the Christian Church, typically for reasons of dogma and doctrine. One of the biggest of these separations was the schism between the Church in the East and the Church in the West. The Church in the East became known as the ‘Orthodox’ Church, and the Church in the West became known as the ‘Catholic’ Church. (‘Orthodox’ means “right-believing”; ‘Catholic’ means “universal” … interesting names, eh? )

Parts of some of the various groups separated from the Catholic Church later broke off and returned to the Catholic Church. So, to distinguish between them, and to acknowledge the fact that there were certain differences in ritual, the notion of differences of ‘rite’ were recognized. Those in the Catholic Church from the West were known as ‘Latin Rite’ Catholics; those from other rites (for example, Byzantine – Ukrainian or Ruthenian - and others) are known as ‘Eastern Rite’ Catholics.

In the Western Church (that is, in the ‘Catholic Church’), when the Reformation occurred, some Reformers wished to label the Catholic Church in a particular way that denigrated them and highlighted their allegiance to the Pope in Rome. They called Catholics “Papists” or “Romish” – or, in a derogatory way that stuck, “Roman Catholics”. The idea was that “you aren’t really ‘universal’, you’re just ‘Roman’”.

The name stuck: even Latin Rite Catholics, these days, call themselves ‘Roman Catholics’.

That’s all it means: a ‘Roman Catholic’ is a Latin Rite Catholic.

 

[Socrates1889]

In the beginning of the Church, there were only ‘Christians’. Later, due to a number of factors, groups separated from the Christian Church, typically for reasons of dogma and doctrine. One of the biggest of these separations was the schism between the Church in the East and the Church in the West. The Church in the East became known as the ‘Orthodox’ Church, and the Church in the West became known as the ‘Catholic’ Church. (‘Orthodox’ means “right-believing”; ‘Catholic’ means “universal” … interesting names, eh? )

Parts of some of the various groups separated from the Catholic Church later broke off and returned to the Catholic Church. So, to distinguish between them, and to acknowledge the fact that there were certain differences in ritual, the notion of differences of ‘rite’ were recognized. Those in the Catholic Church from the West were known as ‘Latin Rite’ Catholics; those from other rites (for example, Byzantine – Ukrainian or Ruthenian - and others) are known as ‘Eastern Rite’ Catholics.

In the Western Church (that is, in the ‘Catholic Church’), when the Reformation occurred, some Reformers wished to label the Catholic Church in a particular way that denigrated them and highlighted their allegiance to the Pope in Rome. They called Catholics “Papists” or “Romish” – or, in a derogatory way that stuck, “Roman Catholics”. The idea was that “you aren’t really ‘universal’, you’re just ‘Roman’”.

The name stuck: even Latin Rite Catholics, these days, call themselves ‘Roman Catholics’.

That’s all it means: a ‘Roman Catholic’ is a Latin Rite Catholic.

Thank You so much for your wonderfully thorough explanation!!

 

[LEMAITRE]

I’m new to learning about Roman Catholicism, and I want to know what does it mean when a Church is Roman Catholic? Does it mean that they are Catholics from Rome? Thank You

Gorgias wrote a fantastic explanation above. I just wanted to add that there are Eastern Catholics as well who are ‘Catholic’ i.e. they are in communion with Rome, believe the same Doctrines but worship under different Rites e.g. Byzantine or Alexandrian.

We (Roman Catholics worship under the Latin Rite).

I don’t like the term Roman Catholic used to describe all Catholics because there are millions of other Catholics who are not ‘Roman’ and do not worship in the Latin Rite but are just as Catholic as me. It can’t be avoided because the world views the Pope who resides in Rome as encompassing the entire faith so people assume that’s all there is.

 

[peterorigenes]

I’m new to learning about Roman Catholicism, and I want to know what does it mean when a Church is Roman Catholic? Does it mean that they are Catholics from Rome? Thank You

Do you want to study Church History? The more you do that, the more you will se that there is not “a” roman church, there are always a number of roman churches. If you study the history of the term “catholic” you will find that, in the first two centuries, it is defined first in Africa and in the Eastern Church, where “catolicos” is the original Christians. This Church stretches even into China, helping buddhists to translate pali and sanskrit into chinese. At this time there hardly was a western Catholic Church, only some spread out apostolic bishops in the young pagan Europe. Then you get a Gallic Church, affiliated with Rome, an early British Church, affiliated with Rome, an Allemanic Church, affiliated with Rome, and so on.

Delve into history and you will find many faith friends ! The Church is universal

 

[YoungChristian]

In the beginning of the Church, there were only ‘Christians’. Later, due to a number of factors, groups separated from the Christian Church, typically for reasons of dogma and doctrine. One of the biggest of these separations was the schism between the Church in the East and the Church in the West. The Church in the East became known as the ‘Orthodox’ Church, and the Church in the West became known as the ‘Catholic’ Church. (‘Orthodox’ means “right-believing”; ‘Catholic’ means “universal” … interesting names, eh? )

Parts of some of the various groups separated from the Catholic Church later broke off and returned to the Catholic Church. So, to distinguish between them, and to acknowledge the fact that there were certain differences in ritual, the notion of differences of ‘rite’ were recognized. Those in the Catholic Church from the West were known as ‘Latin Rite’ Catholics; those from other rites (for example, Byzantine – Ukrainian or Ruthenian - and others) are known as ‘Eastern Rite’ Catholics.

In the Western Church (that is, in the ‘Catholic Church’), when the Reformation occurred, some Reformers wished to label the Catholic Church in a particular way that denigrated them and highlighted their allegiance to the Pope in Rome. They called Catholics “Papists” or “Romish” – or, in a derogatory way that stuck, “Roman Catholics”. The idea was that “you aren’t really ‘universal’, you’re just ‘Roman’”.

The name stuck: even Latin Rite Catholics, these days, call themselves ‘Roman Catholics’.

That’s all it means: a ‘Roman Catholic’ is a Latin Rite Catholic.

Wow what a great explanation! Does it mean that the Latin Rite Catholics are officially called Roman now?

 

[Ignatius]

I’m new to learning about Roman Catholicism, and I want to know what does it mean when a Church is Roman Catholic? Does it mean that they are Catholics from Rome? Thank You

The Catholic Church is actually the correct term for the Church founded by Jesus Christ.
In answer to your question “what does it mean when a Church is Catholic?”:
The Catholic Church is the oldest and largest Christian Community in the world. The Catholic Church is a communion of 23 Sui Juris Churches in communion with each other and with the Holy See. It was founded in A.D. 30 by Jesus Christ to spread His Gospel to every people and nation. Our Hope rests in Jesus.
This video gives a fuller explanation:
youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=q-jBacBbNT4

 

[Gorgias]

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone!

Wow what a great explanation! Does it mean that the Latin Rite Catholics are officially called Roman now?

Well… not really. It’s common, but it’s not ‘official’. Officially speaking, we’re Catholics. Most Catholics are Latin Rite Catholics, but many belong to other rites, as peterorigines said. As Ignatius mentioned, what holds us in common is our relationship to the pope; but we each have our individual identities.

If you called someone a “Roman Catholic”, here in the west, you’d be understood. (In fact, if you asked the average person in the pews whether they were a “Latin Rite Catholic”, they’d probably look at you funny and say, “no, I’m a Roman Catholic!”. )

 

[Ignatius]

I’m new to learning about Roman Catholicism, and I want to know what does it mean when a Church is Roman Catholic? Does it mean that they are Catholics from Rome? Thank You

The Catholic Church is actually the correct term for the Church founded by Jesus Christ.

In answer to your question “what does it mean when a Church is Catholic?”:
The Catholic Church is the oldest and largest Christian Community in the world. The Catholic Church is a communion of 23 Sui Juris Churches in communion with each other and with the Holy See. It was founded in A.D. 30 by Jesus Christ to spread His Gospel to every people and nation. Our Hope rests in Jesus.

This video gives a fuller explanation:
youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=q-jBacBbNT4

 

[YoungChristian]

Well will the church ever make it official to call Western Catholics Roman? Or will Catholics of the Western church at anypoint begin calling themselves Latins?

 

[Ignatius]

Ignatius;10009770:

The Catholic Church is actually the correct term for the Church founded by Jesus Christ.

In answer to your question “what does it mean when a Church is Catholic?”:
The Catholic Church is the oldest and largest Christian Community in the world. The Catholic Church is a communion of 23 Sui Juris Churches in communion with each other and with the Holy See. It was founded in A.D. 30 by Jesus Christ to spread His Gospel to every people and nation. Our Hope rests in Jesus.

This video gives a fuller explanation:
youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=q-jBacBbNT4

Well will the church ever make it official to call Western Catholics Roman? Or will Catholics of the Western church at anypoint begin calling themselves Latins?

No, When refering to The Church the documents always use “The Catholic Church”.The Roman Church is used only when refering to the churches in Città Roma. As to The Church, it’s One Church and One Faith!

 

[Mintaka]

Although Gorgias’ explanation is pretty good, it should be pointed out that the name “Catholic” is only about a hundred years younger than the name “Christian.” Both names seem to have come out of Antioch.

“Catholic” actually means something like “the whole thing” (ie, Christianity that’s not abridged or cutting out the good stuff), as well as “universal” (the Church spread throughout the known world and in communion with each other, as opposed to splinter churches only in communion with themselves). When Christian heresies and pagan occult groups arose, and the members called themselves “Christians” despite not being anything Christians would recognize as such, ordinary orthodox Christians began calling themselves Catholics.

There’s a very famous spiel that many of the Fathers (East and West) repeat, about how you must be sure to ask for the Catholic Church when you come into town, because the heretics and the crazies won’t dare to falsely advertise themselves as Catholics.

So yes, the Orthodox also called themselves Catholics before they called themselves Orthodox, and still do to a certain extent.

 

[steve_b]

In the beginning of the Church, there were only ‘Christians’. Later, due to a number of factors, groups separated from the Christian Church, typically for reasons of dogma and doctrine. One of the biggest of these separations was the schism between the Church in the East and the Church in the West. The Church in the East became known as the ‘Orthodox’ Church, and the Church in the West became known as the ‘Catholic’ Church. (‘Orthodox’ means “right-believing”; ‘Catholic’ means “universal” … interesting names, eh? )

The Catholic Church was the Catholic Church from the beginning.
From the 1st century the Church has been known as the Catholic Church.
·Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all κατά kata ὅλος holos] Judea and Galilee and Sama’ria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied. iow the Church is the Kataholos Church = Catholic Church
·St Ignatius Bp of Antioch, ~69 a.d. - ~107 a.d., disciple of St John the apostle, called the Church the Catholic Church [letter to the Church of Smyrna http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0109.htm”]Epistle to the Smyrnæans
·St Polycarp, Bp Smyrna, disciple of St John called the Church the “Catholic Church” The Martyrdom of Polycarp
·Irenaeus ~180 a.d. wrote “Against Heresies” called the Church the “Catholic Church” Adversus haereses Bk 1 Ch 10 v 3], and also Irenaeus who was taught by Polycarp, teaches all must agree with Rome [Bk 3, Ch 3, v 2-3]

The Nicene Creed, 325 a.d., it’s a matter of faith to believe in the " One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church"

It was the name “Orthodox Church” that came much later after the division.
G:

Parts of some of the various groups separated from the Catholic Church later broke off and returned to the Catholic Church. So, to distinguish between them, and to acknowledge the fact that there were certain differences in ritual, the notion of differences of ‘rite’ were recognized.

Those in the Catholic Church from the West were known as ‘Latin Rite’ Catholics; those from other rites (for example, Byzantine – Ukrainian or Ruthenian - and others) are known as ‘Eastern Rite’ Catholics.

Rites aside, it is the fact they are united to the pope that they are Catholic.
G:

In the Western Church (that is, in the ‘Catholic Church’),

No, the Western & Eastern Church are the Catholic Church. Even though the Western Church is ~98% of the CC, the Eastern Church is still 100% Catholic, with equal dignity.
G:

when the Reformation occurred, some Reformers wished to label the Catholic Church in a particular way that denigrated them and highlighted their allegiance to the Pope in Rome. They called Catholics “Papists” or “Romish” – or, in a derogatory way that stuck, “Roman Catholics”. The idea was that “you aren’t really ‘universal’, you’re just ‘Roman’”.

The name stuck: even Latin Rite Catholics, these days, call themselves ‘Roman Catholics’.
That’s all it means: a ‘Roman Catholic’ is a Latin Rite Catholic.

You’re referring to Roman Catholic

 

[Socrates1889]

So anytime I hear the term Eastern Orthodox it is referring to Catholics?

Are there any Catholic groups that, like St. Stanislaus in St. Louis, call themselves Catholic but do not answer to any Bishop or the Vatican? In other words do all Catholics answer to the Pope or are we becoming like so many religions that are braking apart into different fractions?

 

[Gorgias]

No, the Western & Eastern Church are the Catholic Church. Even though the Western Church is ~98% of the CC, the Eastern Church is still 100% Catholic, with equal dignity.

Yes, we are both ‘Catholic’ (universal) and we are both ‘Orthodox’ (true-believing).

I was talking about common parlance, in which my statements holds.

 

[Gorgias]

Steve b, are you watching?

See what happens when you assert that ‘Catholic’ refers to the Eastern Church? It confuses people…

So anytime I hear the term Eastern Orthodox it is referring to Catholics?

No, Socrates. When folks say ‘Eastern Orthodox’, typically they don’t mean the Catholic Church (i.e., the Church led by the Pope in Rome).

Are there any Catholic groups that, like St. Stanislaus in St. Louis, call themselves Catholic but do not answer to any Bishop or the Vatican? In other words do all Catholics answer to the Pope or are we becoming like so many religions that are braking apart into different fractions?

There are many groups that call themselves many things. One good way to distinguish, when you find a group calling themselves ‘Catholic’ is to ask, “is the Pope the head of your Church?” … that’ll help clear it up…!

 

[Socrates1889]

OK Gorgias I went back and reread carefully. I thought you had said the Othodox church returned to the Catholic church.

But what you said was that after Catholics became known as Catholics, they broke apart and then came back together and this split up had an east and a west side?

This also means that the Orthodox was the first to break away from the Catholic religion(before it was “Catholic”)?

 

[Gorgias]

But what you said was that after Catholics became known as Catholics, they broke apart and then came back together and this split up had an east and a west side?

No… after the Schism – which ‘created’ the distinct ‘Catholic’ and ‘Orthodox’ Churches that folks in the U.S. would easily identify – some of the folks who went with the east later returned to the west. In other words, I’m talking about some of the Eastern Churches.

This also means that the Orthodox was the first to break away from the Catholic religion(before it was “Catholic”)?

No… but for the sake of brevity, and given the particular question asked, I thought it would be more confusing to mention the Chaldean Church, or the Oriental Orthodox Churches, etc, etc…!

 

[Socrates1889]

No… after the Schism – which ‘created’ the distinct ‘Catholic’ and ‘Orthodox’ Churches that folks in the U.S. would easily identify – some of the folks who went with the east later returned to the west. In other words, I’m talking about some of the Eastern Churches.

First… Thank You so much for your time teaching me… I have taken in A LOT of info on the different treads in the short time I’ve been here.

Second… did I mention I am blond?

Let me see if I have this… The Schism, which is the split up, that created the Catholic and the Orthodox(which happened to be in the east… yes??) Churches(for names sake). Some of the “Orthodox” later returned to the “Catholic” and they are known as the Eastern Churches that are Catholic.

No… but for the sake of brevity, and given the particular question asked, I thought it would be more confusing to mention the Chaldean Church, or the Oriental Orthodox Churches, etc, etc…!

Yes that would definitely be way too much info for me right now… I will save that education for another time, but at least I know it wasn’t the first.