What is the difference between Catholicism and Roman Catholicism?
I'm a Catholic and in the Nicene Creed, does the line "We believe in one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church." refer to Roman Catholicism?
I know that there are Irish Catholics and Angllicans who are Catholic. Does the word Catholic, versus Roman Catholic, apply to them?
None. The Catholic Church is the only Church that existed at the time of the Council of Nicea. In fact it is the only Christian Church that existed for 1,500 years after Christ, and the only Church He ever intended to exist. Remember? He said all His followers were to be ONE? Anglicans are not Catholic. They are Protestant. Not only is the Catholic Church the church that is referred to in the Creed, it is also the Church that is referred to every time "the Church" is referenced in the New Testament. There is no such thing as "Roman Catholicism". There is one Catholic Church, and its name is The Catholic Church.
Honestly, I don't know but whenever someone from another religion tried to preach to me or convert me I just tell them I'm "Roman Catholic" because it sounds more hardcore than just saying "I'm Catholic" and this way they leave me alone and stop trying to convert me.
Because obviously a "Roman Catholic" is more hardcore than a "Catholic".
Gets me out of being bugged by those "Christian" students at my college that always try to preach to me! I just say "No thanks, I'm Roman Catholic" and it works every time!
All other major churches use that creed too, and to them, "catholic" in the creed means the universal church as a whole, catholic, orthodox and protestant. I know it doesn't mean that to you as the catholic church believes it is the only true church.
Anglo-Catholics use that name as a label to show that their practices are more like those of the catholic church (roman kind!)
There are no "Anglican" Catholics really. Although in America there is a small church that is basically it's own rite which is done Anglican style.
ANYWAY
"Roman" refers to the rite within the Catholic church, which is basically a style of doing things. The Roman rite is the largest rite which is why Catholicism is often called Roman Catholicism.
There are many rites, I suggest you consult Google for more info
Most Roman Catholics forget there is another Catholic, that being the protestant Episcopalian or Anglican Church. Roman Catholic reports to Rome, ergo the Pope. Anglicans/Episcopalians report to either the Arch Bishop of Canterbury or a Protestant Communal. Catholic refers more to the methodology of the church's deliverance of Christianity.
The Eastern Orthodox Church is also "Catholic", since the separation between the Eastern church and the Roman church was more logistical and administrative than theological.
In the Nicene Creed it meant universal-
at this point in time all Christians were part of the Universal Church- which was viewed as the Correct Church so it also had the name Orthodox.
There were 5 patriarchates each considered a church with in the COrrect Universl Church that was built on the Apsotles
The term "Catholic" and "Roman Catholic" is pretty much interchangeable. However, there are some groups, such as the Old Catholics, that pretty much follows the teachings and services of Catholicism but do not follow the pope.
Within the Catholic Church there are many rites. Roman Catholics observe the Latin or Roman Rite. These are most well known. But there are many others, such as the Melkites, Ruthenians and other Eastern Rite or Byzantine Catholics. Protestants and Eastern Orthodox like to emphasize "Roman" Catholicism in an effort to limit the Church or to emphasize the fact that the Pope resides in Rome.
What is the difference between Catholicism and Roman Catholicism?
