Who (or What) is a Catholic (or a catholic)? - Part 2

The word, Catholic, or Catholic Church, runs into further problems (beyond the problem I mentioned in Part 1) because many faith traditions, beyond what most consider the Catholic tradition, use those words to describe themselves, even if it is not part of their name (or normally considered part of their name).

So, for example, the Eastern Orthodox Church (also known as the Orthodox Church) identifies itself as the Catholic Church.  In fact, it's official name is the Orthodox Catholic Church (though the other names are more often used).  (The Eastern Orthodox Church is made up of many churches - a complete list goes way beyond the scope of this posting.)

Coptic Icon

In addition, Oriental Orthodox churches (not to be confused with the Eastern Orthodox Church), also called Old Oriental churches, also identify themselves as the Catholic Church.  The Oriental Orthodox communion comprises of six churches: Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, Eritrean Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (also known as the Indian Orthodox Church), and Armenian Apostolic churches.

The churches above are part of Eastern Christianity.  In addition, two other churches that are part of Eastern Christianity are also described as Catholic Churches:  the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Ancient Church of the East.

Canterbury Cathedral

In Western Christianity, the Anglican Communion is also known as the Catholic Church. The Anglican Communion is an international association of churches of national and regional Anglican (and Episcopal) churches in full communion with its principal primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury. It considers itself both Catholic and Reformed. Those who emphasize its Catholic heritage are known as Anglo-Catholics.  The Holy Catholic Church of Japan is actually an Anglican Church.

In addition, some Lutherans and some Methodists consider themselves "Catholic," especially High Church Lutherans, Lutherans who call themselves Evangelical Catholics, and Neo-Lutheranism.  Some Lutheran churches part of these movements use the name Catholic in their churches.  They tend to emphasize worship practices and doctrines similar to those found in the Roman Catholicism and the Anglo-Catholic portions of the Anglican Communion.

The point here is to examine the many different ways the words "Catholic" or "Catholic Church" is used in many different traditions.

On to Part 3
Back to Part 1
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