by Most Rev. Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Organizing Bishop, United Catholic Church
Hundreds of millions of us around the world consider ourselves “catholic,” yet are not members of the Roman Catholic Church. How can that be? What does it mean to be “catholic”?
The word “catholic” was coined by Aristotle as a scientific term. It means “in accord with the whole.” The term was first used to refer to the church about 112 AD by St. Ignatius of Antioch. A “catholic” church has certain identifying characteristics that differentiate it from a heretical or schismatic church. It subscribes to the “catholic faith.” Similarly a “catholic” person is not one who holds membership in a certain church, but one who holds to the “catholic faith.”
The accepted test of catholicity was set down by St. Vincent of Lerins about 430 AD. It defines the “catholic faith” as “that which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all.” Thus we have a threefold test of catholicity: universality, antiquity, and consensus. A belief, to be part of the “catholic faith” must be common to all parts of Christendom (both East and West), must date back to Apostolic times, and must be accepted by the vast majority of Christians. These principles exclude from the “catholic faith” any innovations added by specific denominations, or in later centuries, or without the wholehearted support of the faithful (the “sensus fidelium”). Such innovations include (for example) the Book of Mormon, the concept of universal jurisdiction and infallibility of the Bishop of Rome, the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception (Definition) and Assumption of Mary (Definition),and the rejection of the Real Presence (Definition) in the Eucharist (Definition).
This does not mean that churches which add these innovations aren’t Christian. It doesn’t even mean that they’re not catholic (although some clearly aren’t, as we shall see.) It doesn’t mean that these beliefs are necessarily false. It only means that these dogmas or beliefs are not part of the “catholic faith” believed everywhere, always, and by all. Many Christian churches believe in the “catholic faith,” including the Orthodox churches, the Old Catholic Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, the Lutheran Church, many Evangelical Protestant churches, and most independent Catholic Churches. Most of these “catholic” churches have added extra beliefs and dogmas which have no claim to catholicity. Many have rejected some of the essential elements of the “catholic faith” and therefore, while still Christian, are not properly called “catholic.” Some churches who claim to be Christian (and even catholic) have moved so far from the faith that it is difficult to accept them as even Christian. Those who reject the resurrection of Jesus, his divinity, and God’s free gift of salvation come to mind.
Christ made it abundantly clear that he wanted his church to be united. But how does one bring about any meaningful unity in the face of all these conflicting beliefs? Our answer is that the church should return to its catholic roots, hold to the “catholic faith,” and require belief in no dogmas not part of this ancient heritage. It was put best by St. Augustine of Hippo: “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, diversity; in all things, charity.” The question then is, “What are the essentials?” What are our core beliefs, those that make us Christian and Catholic? What things make up the “catholic faith”? To answer this question, we must break it into two parts. First, what are the sources of our beliefs? And second, what are the specific beliefs that are the core essentials of the catholic faith?
Continue to the next page: THE SOURCES OF OUR FAITH
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