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Questions / The Church and the Pope

When was the word “Catholic” first used?

Church teaching

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In short: Early. St. Ignatius of Antioch used it around AD 110. The word means “universal,” whole, nobody left out. CCC 830

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

“Catholic” means “universal,” in keeping with the whole. CCC 830

The Catechism quotes St. Ignatius of Antioch: “Where there is Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church.” CCC 830

Our words

Ignatius wrote that around AD 110, on his way to martyrdom in Rome.

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Sources on this page

How we know · 1 Catechism paragraph
  1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 830 (official text on vatican.va).

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