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1 General meaning
Catholic means universal or whole. With respect to the Christian Church, the early Christians used the term to refer to the whole undivided church. It is in that sense that all Christians today claim ownership of the term, including Protestants, although they often do not capitalize the term. The word dates from the patristic fathers and to the historic creeds and was used to set apart the mainstream body of orthodox Christian believers, from those adhering to mere sects or to heretical factions.
2 Within names of institutions
In countries which have been traditionally Protestant, Catholic will often be included in the official name of a particular parish church, school, hospice or other insititution belonging to the Roman Catholic Church in order to distinguish it from those of other denominations. For example, the name "St. Mark's Catholic Church," makes it clear that it is not an Episcopal or Lutheran Church. Using the word to differentiate between churches in this manner, arose when Protestantism appeared, making no claim on the word "Catholic". From long use in such countries, Catholic has become shorthand for the Roman Church used by Protestant and Roman Catholic alike. Orthodox churches still favor the terms "Western Church" or "Latin Church" in reference to the Roman Catholic Church.
This example contradics St. Augustine's definition writen a millinia before the reformation:
- "In the Catholic Church, there are many other things which most justly keep me in her bosom. The consent of peoples and nations keeps me in the Church; so does her authority, inaugurated by miracles, nourished by hope, enlarged by love, established by age. The succession of priests keeps me, beginning from the very seat of the ApostleAlternate meaning: See Apostle (Mormonism The Christian Apostles were Jewish men who were "sent forth" (as indicated by the Greek word apostolos , by Jesus to preach Christianity to both Jews and Gentiles, across the world. He called unto him his disciple PeterPeter is a popular male name and has been the name of a number of famous people, including: the Christian Saint Peter Peter the Great, the first Emperor of the Russian Empire Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow Peter II of Aragon also called Peter I of Barcelon, to whom the Lord, after His resurrection, gave it in charge to feed His sheep (Jn 21:15-19), down to the present episcopate. "And so, lastly, does the very name of Catholic, which, not without reason, amid so many heresies, the Church has thus retained; so that, though all heretics wish to be called Catholics, yet when a stranger asks where the Catholic Church meets, no heretic will venture to point to his own chapel or house. "Such then in number and importance are the precious ties belonging to the Christian name which keep a believer in the Catholic Church, as it is right they should ... With you, where there is none of these things to attract or keep me ... No one shall move me from the faith which binds my mind with ties so many and so strong to the Christian religion...For my part, I should not believe the gospel except as moved by the authority of the Catholic Church."
- - St. Augustine (AD 354Events Gallus deposed, executed at Antioch. Libanius becomes a teacher of rhetoric in Antioch; his students include John Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia. Births November 13 Augustine of Hippo, theologian Paulinus of Nola, bishop Deaths 354.- 430Events Saint Patrick reaches Ireland on his missionary expedition. Peter the Iberian founds a Georgian monastery near Bethlehem. Births Anastasius I, Eastern Roman Emperor Julius Nepos, western Roman Emperor Deaths August 28, Saint Augustine of Hippo, the ) Against the Epistle of Manichaeus AD 397Events Council of Carthage: Definitive declaration of the biblical canon Candida Casa founded by Saint Ninian. Beginning of the missionary work among the Picts. Births Deaths April 4 St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan November 11 Saint Martin of Tours, bishop a
