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To: Theo
I differentiate "Catholic" from "Roman Catholic" ...

First, thank you for making an honest attempt at trying to make linguistic distinctions and be non-offensive about it. Discussion is not possible without it.

I would like to comment on your terms, with the hope that we can begin to come to some sort of consensus on what to use.

"Catholic" refers to the Church Universal -- i.e., all those who place their faith in Christ whom the Lord has saved.

Catholics (i.e. "Roman Catholics" - I'll get to that term in a moment) would agree that speaking of the Catholic Church refers to the Church Universal, but there is a disagreement as to what that "Church Universal" is.

To summarize the matter (though we could continue to discuss it in depth if it seems useful) the Catholics would consider members of the Orthodox, Coptic, Protestant and other separated churches to be part of the "catholic church" - that is, they are baptized believers (most of whom even hold to the theological judgments of at least the first several Ecumenical Councils), but not part of the Catholic Church, because they do not hold to the fullness of the Catholic Faith.

To refer to the Catholic Church as the "Roman Catholic Church" is usually understood in context, but is not always an accurate description for the Catholic Church, which contains numerous Eastern Rites as well as the Latin (Roman) Rite. And the term "Roman Catholic" itself was a term of derision used in post-reformation England (so that Anglicans, considering themselves "English Catholics" could distinguish themselves from the "Roman" or "Romish" Catholics) - obviously the term no longer has that stigma in most cases.

To speak of the Roman Pontiff is accurate, because he is the Bishop of Rome, even though he is the head of the entire Catholic Church, not only the Latin Rite.

I would propose that the most accurate differentiations would be to use "catholic" and "Catholic" as opposed to "Catholic" and "Roman Catholic" as you described.

276 posted on 01/05/2010 10:13:58 AM PST by GCC Catholic (0bama, what are you hiding? Just show us the birth certificate...)
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To: GCC Catholic
I would propose that the most accurate differentiations would be to use "catholic" and "Catholic" as opposed to "Catholic" and "Roman Catholic" as you described.

Seem like more RC usurpation of the language.

How about "christian" for Roman Catholics" and "Christian" for Protestants?

280 posted on 01/05/2010 10:35:57 AM PST by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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