Expert: Sal - 10/7/2006

Question
Sal
Do you know how/when the word, "Catholic" came into being labeling the particular faith of the same name?  By the time of the Holy Roman Empire,
Catholicism was the term used, but how much prior to that time?  Christ didn't say to Peter that "upon this rock you shall build the Catholic church."    Thanks for any insights.    Dee

Answer
Hello Dee:

The first extant reference to the “Catholic Church” occurs in a letter written by St. Ignatius of Antioch. In his Letter to the Smyrnaeans written in 107 AD we find the following statement: “Wherever the bishop is, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” This statement is interesting for several reasons. One reason is that the name “Catholic” used to designate Jesus’ Church was apparently not something new. St. Ignatius felt no need to explain or defend the name. This points to an earlier year for the beginning of the name Catholic. It is not a stretch to posit the beginning of the name “Catholic” to the first century. Another reason that this statement is interesting is that the man that first wrote that the Church was called “Catholic” was from Antioch. It was also in Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians” (see Acts 11:26). One other reason that this statement from St. Ignatius is interesting is that Jesus and the Catholic Church are united as one. “Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” In other words, Jesus is always found with the Catholic Church. This fulfills the words of our Lord, “Behold, I am with you always even until the end of the world!” (Matthew 28:20).

I pray that this is helpful to you.

God Bless You,
Sal