Catholic

The word Catholic is derived (via Late Latin catholicus and French catholique) from the Greek adjective [[ Greek:καθολικός|καθολικός]] (katholikos), meaning "universal".[1][2] The name is derived from the Greek phrase καθόλο (kath'holou) meaning "on the whole" or "in general" and is a combination of the Greek words κατά meaning "about" and όλος meaning "whole."[3] In the context of Christian ecclesiology, it has a rich history and several usages.

The term "Catholic Church" typically refers to the Catholicism: in full communion with the Pope, made up of the Latin "Roman" Rite and the 22 Eastern Catholic Churches; this is the common usage in most countries.

Many Protestants sometimes use the term "catholic church" to refer broadly to the Christian Church and all believers in Jesus Christ across the world and the ages, regardless of denominational affiliation.

See also

• Catholicism