Catholic vs Roman Catholic
Catholic and Roman Catholic beliefs do not differ drastically though there is some difference between them. As a matter of fact, the Roman Catholic is one of the oldest religions of the world and by far the largest Christian group. Roman Catholics pray to Mary and saints. They adore angels too. If you take Catholic and Roman Catholic as two denominations that come under the Catholic Church, which is in communion with the Pope, then, you will have one difference between the two terms. However, if you take the term Catholic to include all Catholic beliefs (that is including Catholic churches that are not in communion with the Pope), then the difference between Catholic and Roman Catholic is different from the difference you got for the earlier definition.
What is Catholic?
Catholic generally refers to all the Catholic beliefs such as Roman Catholics, Orthodox Catholic, etc. Orthodox Catholic Church is headed by a Patriarch. The word Catholic is coined from the Greek word ‘katholou’ meaning ‘throughout the world’, ‘universal’ or ‘general’. The word was first used by the early Christians to describe their religion and belief. According to the Catholics, Jesus is the savior of mankind. The Greek ‘katholikos’ became the word ‘Catholics’. The word also means ‘according to the whole’. Since the Catholics are firm believers of Jesus, all the Catholic Churches are the churches of Christ. The word Catholic can be understood in different ways. The word could be taken to mean, ‘of or involving the Roman Catholic Church’, ‘of or relating to the universal Christian Church’, ‘of or relating to the ancient undivided Christian church,’ or ‘of or relating to those churches that have claimed to be representatives of the ancient undivided church’.
What is Roman Catholic?
The Roman Catholic Church is headed by a Pope. It is actually one tradition of the churches headed by the Catholic Church. What all these churches have in common is that they are in communion with the Pope. The major difference between Catholicism and Roman Catholicism lies in the performance of rites. The Roman Catholics resort to the Latin rites whereas the orthodox Catholics resort to the Byzantine rites. Roman Catholic is considered, sometimes, as a word that distinguishes it from all the other type of churches. As a matter of fact, the Holy Roman Catholic and the Apostolic Church refers to Rome.
What is the difference between Catholic and Roman Catholic?
Catholic and Roman Catholic are both terms used to refer to a person’s religious beliefs. There a several theories regarding the two words Catholic and Roman Catholic.
• Catholic generally refers to all the Catholic beliefs such as Roman Catholics, Orthodox Catholic, etc. Roman Catholic refers to one tradition. Originally, Roman Catholic was introduced to distinguish this belief from other Catholic beliefs. However, by now, the terms Catholic and Roman Catholic both refer to the same religion.
• Catholic is wider than Roman Catholic in the field of expansion as it also includes Roman Catholicism.
• When you say Catholic Church, it refers to the churches that are in communion with the Pope. Pope is their leader. In the Catholic Churches, there are different rites. These are different traditions. Roman Catholic is one such rite. There are other rites such as Maronite Catholics. These are all in communion with the Pope. So, in this sense, Roman Catholic is a subset of Catholic.
• However, if you consider Catholic as the widest possible area that include Catholic (in communion with Pope), Orthodox Catholic (not in communion with Pope), then the difference between Catholic and Roman Catholic changes. Here, Catholic, as in the churches that are with the Pope and Roman Catholic are both subsets of the wider term Catholic.
Images Courtesy:
- St. Paul Catholic Church by Ian Poellet (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church by AgnosticPreachersKid (CC BY-SA 3.0)
John Brasley says
It is a complete falsehood to state that Roman Catholics are not Bible based. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church article 141: “The Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures as she venerated the Body of the Lord” (DV 21): both nourish and govern the whole Christian life. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps 119:105; cf. Is 50:4). http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s1c2a3.htm#brief
mango says
Where did he imply that Roman Catholics are not Bible based? I gathered none of that from the reading. It makes me wonder how you actually read the Bible verbatim. Because now I’m led to believe you are one that thinks Homosexuality is against the Bible when there is literally no direct context for this
Brett Sears says
In the Bible it says You shall not lie with a man as with a woman, it is an abomination. Seems that they clearly don’t approve of it. Or is there a contradictory section I’m missing
Nathaniel says
“They adore angels too.”
That’s a mischaracterization. The Catholic Church uses the word “adoration” exclusively to characterize the love and worship given only to God. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph 2096):
“To adore God is to acknowledge him as God, as the Creator and Savior, the Lord and Master of everything that exists, as infinite and merciful Love. ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve,’ says Jesus, citing Deuteronomy.”
This is hardly an acknowledgment that would be given to angels.
Peace!
Joyce McCarry-Bouchard says
Three “thumbs up” to you, Nathaniel! Exactly right. Roman Catholics … (the one true church founded by Jesus Christ), adore ONLY God; that would be the Holy Trinity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Roman Catholics give admiration and love to the Blessed Mother Mary, to all the Saints, and to the Angels. God is adored only!!
Chris Seidel says
“Roman Catholics…(the one true church founded by Jesus Christ)”
This is an absurdly Roman Catholic thing to say!..and not even remotely true.
Jesus never said the word catholic and he never stepped foot in Rome.
The first use of the word catholic was in 110 AD (long after Jesus’s death) in a letter written by by Saint Ignatius.
Ignatius used it in the way it should be used: meaning “universal.” (from the Greek katholikos)
The Roman Catholic church was not organized into one church (“true” or otherwise) until the fourth century AD by Emperor Constantine.
Wouldn’t a church “founded” by Jesus Christ be based in Galilee or Jerusalem?
But you are not alone. Many Roman Catholics believe that. That Roman Catholic-centric view of Christianity is one of the most important reasons I went from being a devout Roman Catholic to a member of another church. Now every Sunday I say the same Nicene Creed you do…including the line “we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.” The only difference is we look for the Christian Churches of the world to unite whereas Roman Catholics usually prefer to think of everyone else as “wrong” and as people who should be converted to RC.
Stephen Sponsler says
The True Church is the body of Christ, not a religious branch or an accumulation of buildings or a set of rites and rules which exclude people whom God has called out and enabled them to come to the Lord so that they might enter in to Him as He in they. The Catholic church comes to close to mimicking the Pharisees is setting standards and rules ‘made by human hands’ that have nothing to do with The Word which was before the foundation of the earth. Prayer for all Believers …22″The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24″Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.…
Sarah Hollingsworth says
The Bible is clear that Jesus Christ is the New Covenant Priest. HE is head of the TRUE CHURCH. On the day He was crucified and died the veil was ripped top to bottom to open Holy of Holies God’s dwelling place (where God was). A Christian now has a direct line to Jesus (God Himself). Priests and Popes are no longer needed…..confess your sins directly to the Father. This is part of the relationship with Christ not a relationship with a priest!
Greg Roberts says
Correct,You have a direct path to speak and repent to Jesus,the Holy Spirit is here to guide you. You cannot pass your sins of to another human,and let that human ask for your sins to be forgiven. It’s a personal relationship between Jesus and you. And would add Mary,the physical mother of Jesus was a great woman,proved worthy by God Himself,to bring the Lord Jesus into this world. Great woman who undoubtedly in heaven,or asleep waiting for that great day,but She cannot forgive not one sin,not one. This is the whole reason for Christ to come,to take on the sins of those who believe.
Doc Barney says
Amazing…….people who know nothing about the Catholic Religion answering questions about the Catholic Religion!
patrick kihugi says
I agree with you Doc.
Brenda Neff says
Never understand how so many can judge a belief and they are not even in that religion. I guess there almighty word thinking if I sound so intelligent in my wording of another affiliation “I’m right”. Mind you they have never been or never raised. Sorry but that doesn’t make you an expert.
Randy K Burns says
If your religion goes beyond the simple grace given us by the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus through the gift of faith, you are in error.
Valus Markel says
Even Christ came for baptism, for it is seemly to fulfill all righteousness, which, in this context, clearly means “all rites”. He founded “what I must call my church” on Peter, the first pope. The history of this is evident, unless you think ALL the apostles misunderstood him. They formed a church, with a hierarchy, with apostolic succession. He instituted the Eucharist, “do this in remembrance of me,”. He said, “Not all those who call me ‘Lord, Lord’, but those who DO THE WILL OF MY FATHER” are his disciples, so it is not enough to make proclamations of faith. Lastly, the Holy Bible itself, in its present form, was compiled by THE CHURCH, so, if you’re going to throw out the church, you may as well throw out scripture, too. Case dismissed.
Louis says
Value summed it up brilliantly. Thank you for that.