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CyrilSebastian
Guest
Is a Roman Catholic first considered to be a Catholic? Or is he considered to be a Christian?
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Convert_in_99
Guest
They are the same!
Though today it’s best to say something like Catholic-Christian. That way people know we aren’t Protestant and that some of the fanatics don’t say things like “Catholics aren’t Christians.”
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adamhovey1988
Guest
Did you read what I put as my religion? Protestants do not own the word “Christian” and if someone asks you this annoying question “are you Catholic or Christian”? Tell them “I am a Catholic Christian”!
po18guy
Well-known member
No difference. None at all.
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ComplineSanFran
Guest
It depends on the context. There are millions of Christians who are not Catholic, and would not consider Catholics to be Christian, as someone earlier stated. I have heard people respond to such inquiries with ‘I am Christian from the Catholic tradition.’
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katy
Guest
They are the same thing.
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ctb95
Guest
Yes, its very interesting. For Catholics, to be Catholic and to be Christian are one and the same. But, for non-Catholics, and society in general, that’s not always the case.
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Rosebud77
Guest
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ctb95
Guest
As in, non-Catholics don’t generally view Christianity as synonymous with being a Catholic.
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Rosebud77
Guest
ah OK but ! I have never come across that attitude from anyone,
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Katherine438
Guest
I’m Catholic, and if someone asks, that is what I tell them … I’m Catholic … I have never had anyone not think I was also a Christian.
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Bookcat
Guest
In a moment I will respond more but first off it best to say “Catholic” instead of “Roman Catholic” for the Church is larger than the Roman …many Eastern Catholic Churches in the Catholic Church…
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Bookcat
Guest
Have been called Christians since the first century
First members of the Church were called “the disciples”… (See Acts)
Later called followers of “the way” …and it seems “Nazarenes” (see Acts)
then at Antioch we started being called Christians. (See Acts)
Later in the first century the Church started to be called “Catholic” (see St. Ignatius --again at Antioch --use around the year 100–Catholic Answers will have various things on this - he presupposes his audience will know the term so it was used already in the first century)
So in time Christians began to be also called Catholics.
Now a days we have many sorts of Christians --who are indeed Christians and our brothers…whom we call Christians …though we are unhappily not yet in full communion.
Catholics are Christians who in full communion with the successor of Peter. We call ourselves Christians all the time…Pope Benedict XVI when addressing the faithful did not usually say “Catholics this or that” but called them Christians…for that is what we are (see his homilies or audiences)
Other Christians have various degrees of communion with us.
As one early Christian noted (375AD):
“If you want to know who I am,” he said, “Christian is my name, Catholic is my surname.”
~ St. Pacian
First members of the Church were called “the disciples”… (See Acts)
Later called followers of “the way” …and it seems “Nazarenes” (see Acts)
then at Antioch we started being called Christians. (See Acts)
Later in the first century the Church started to be called “Catholic” (see St. Ignatius --again at Antioch --use around the year 100–Catholic Answers will have various things on this - he presupposes his audience will know the term so it was used already in the first century)
So in time Christians began to be also called Catholics.
Now a days we have many sorts of Christians --who are indeed Christians and our brothers…whom we call Christians …though we are unhappily not yet in full communion.
Catholics are Christians who in full communion with the successor of Peter. We call ourselves Christians all the time…Pope Benedict XVI when addressing the faithful did not usually say “Catholics this or that” but called them Christians…for that is what we are (see his homilies or audiences)
Other Christians have various degrees of communion with us.
As one early Christian noted (375AD):
“If you want to know who I am,” he said, “Christian is my name, Catholic is my surname.”
~ St. Pacian
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goout
Guest
You are very fortunate. This kind of thinking is almost ubiquitous among non-Catholic Christians where I live in the mid-USA.
Many good Christians who live good lives have a deep seated misunderstanding of Catholicism.
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JimR-OCDS
Guest
The word “Catholic,” means “Universal.”
There was only one Christian Church referred to as “Catholic” i,e, Universal.
The Reformation was a split from the Universal/Catholic Church, which still remains.
Catholics were the first Christians and have the documented history to support it.
Jim
There was only one Christian Church referred to as “Catholic” i,e, Universal.
The Reformation was a split from the Universal/Catholic Church, which still remains.
Catholics were the first Christians and have the documented history to support it.
Jim
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adamhovey1988
Guest
Try living in the so-called Bible Belt of the American Southeast.
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o_mlly
Guest
All Catholics are Christian. Not all Christians are Catholic.
Only Catholics have the Eucharist.
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adamhovey1988
Guest
Not quite accurate. So do the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Church of the East.
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o_mlly
Guest
You misname these rites by dropping the defining noun - Catholic.
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Bookcat
Guest
They are not talking about Catholics there.
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