Catholicism/Definition

1. A large group of Christian denominations which view themselves as being in historical and doctrinal continuity with Catholic Christianity as it existed before the Great Schisms that separated the church universal into different communions. It is taken from the word catholic, used in the sense of universal, or all-embracing. 2. Adherence, membership or affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church. To use the term "Catholic" to describe only Roman Catholics is standard among many, but may offend Christians of other denominations who also view themselves as "Catholic", such as many Anglicans, Orthodox Christians and High Lutherans.