Catholic Apologetics Guidebook - The Meaning of the Word "Catholic"

The Meaning of the Word "Catholic"

The following is a brief survey of the writings of the early church fathers on the meaning of the word catholic, that I originally posted on a public message board.

The word catholic means universal. That is how the word was used in early Christianity, to refer to the universal church of Christ, which is united as one church, with one faith, and yet present everywhere, in all nations -- as opposed to the other heretical and schismatic churches and sects that existed in those days. For example, St. Ignatius of Antioch, writing around 107 A.D. in his Epistle to the Smyrnaeans, said the following (emphasis added):

See that you all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as you would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate a love-feast; but whatsoever he shall approve of, that is also pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid.

The Martyrdom of Polycarp, which was written somewhere around 150 A.D., and which, as its name implies, recounts the martyrdom of St. Polycarp, says (again, emphasis added):

Now, as soon as he had ceased praying, having made mention of all that had at any time come in contact with him, both small and great, illustrious and obscure, as well as the whole Catholic Church throughout the world, the time of his departure having arrived....

The same document later refers to Polycarp as "bishop of the Catholic Church which is in Smyrna."

St. Clement of Alexandria, writing around 200 A.D. in the Stromata, says (again, emphasis added):

Those, then, that adhere to impious words, and dictate them to others, inasmuch as they do not make a right but a perverse use of the divine words, neither themselves enter into the kingdom of heaven, nor permit those whom they have deluded to attain the truth. But not having the key of entrance, but a false (and as the common phrase expresses it), a counterfeit key, by which they do not enter in as we enter in, through the tradition of the Lord, by drawing aside the curtain; but bursting through the side-door, and digging clandestinely through the wall of the Church, and stepping over the truth, they constitute themselves the Mystagogues of the soul of the impious.

For that the human assemblies which they held were posterior to the Catholic Church requires not many words to show.

And also, from the same source...

Therefore in substance and idea, in origin, in pre-eminence, we say that the ancient and Catholic Church is alone, collecting as it does into the unity of the one faithwhich results from the peculiar Testaments, or rather the one Testament in different times by the will of the one God, through one Lordthose already ordained, whom God predestinated, knowing before the foundation of the world that they would be righteous.

Now then let me finish what still remains to be said for the Article, "In one Holy Catholic Church," on which, though one might say many things, we will speak but briefly.

It is called Catholic then because it extends over all the world, from one end of the earth to the other; and because it teaches universally and completely one and all the doctrines which ought to come to men's knowledge, concerning things both visible and invisible, heavenly and earthly; and because it brings into subjection to godliness the whole race of mankind, governors and governed, learned and unlearned; and because it universally treats and heals the whole class of sins, which are committed by soul or body, and possesses in itself every form of virtue which is named, both in deeds and words, and in every kind of spiritual gifts.

And a few paragraphs later, he writes:

But since the word Ecclesia is applied to different things . . . and since one might properly and truly say that there is a Church of evil doers, I mean the meetings of the heretics, the Marcionists and Manichees, and the rest, for this cause the Faith has securely delivered to you now the Article, "And in one Holy Catholic Church;" that you may avoid their wretched meetings, and ever abide with the Holy Church Catholic in which you were regenerated. And if ever you are sojourning in cities, inquire not simply where the Lord's House is (for the other sects of the profane also attempt to call their own dens houses of the Lord), nor merely where the Church is, but where is the Catholic Church. For this is the peculiar name of this Holy Church, the mother of us all, which is the spouse of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God. . . .