Catholic

Catholic is an adjective derived from the Greek adjective καθολικός (katholikos), meaning "universal".^[1] In the context of Christianecclesiology, it has a rich history and several usages. For some, the term "Catholic Church" refers to the church in full communion with theBishop of Rome, made up of the Latin Rite and the 22 Eastern Catholic Churches — this is the common usage in most countries. Protestantssometimes use the term "Catholic Church" (or "catholic church") to refer to all believers in Jesus Christ across the world and the ages, regardless of "denominational" affiliation. The Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans and some Methodists believe that their churches are catholic in the sense that they are in continuity with the original universal church founded by the Apostles. Roman Catholics believe their churchto be the only original and universal church. In "Catholic Christendom" (including the Anglican Communion), bishops are considered the highest order of ministers within the Christian religion, as shepherds of unity in communion with the whole church and one another.^[2] Catholicity is considered one of Four Marks of the Church, the others being unity, sanctity, and apostolicity.^[3] according to the Nicene Creed of 381: "I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church."