Catholicism- Roman Background with a Global Reach

Journal Prompt:  The Pope’s address on Easter and Christmas always begins, “Urbi et Orbi”  - “To the City of Rome and to the World.” The term “Roman Catholic” also suggests that there is something “Roman” and something “universal” about the Church. In what sense is the Church “Roman” and in what sense is it “global?”

The ultimate purpose of the Church and of the Pope is to reach out to the global community and spread what they believe to be is the word of God.  After all, the actual meaning of the word Catholic is “universal” and is actually derived from the Greeks.  This correlates to the idea of Romans borrowing pieces of Greek culture and why Romans would use the term Catholic when originally naming the religion.  In order to fully understand how the Church and Pope have come to be, one must have an understanding of the Churches link to Roman history and divisions that have occurred over time. 

The phrase “Roman Catholic” came about for a reason, developing partly as a result of secular divisions throughout society and also due to the power Romans had initially during the time the church came to be.  After Jesus was persecuted on the cross, followers of Jesus Christ started developing Christianity.  Wikipedia explains that once the religious system was being set up, a hierarchy came to be within which strongly resembled and mimicked Roman systems.  Once arranged, Romans also were able to hold many of the positions further up in that hierarchy.  Though earlier Romans due to superstitions feared the Christians who believed in only one God, Constantine enforced the Edict of Milan making it the Empire religion in 313 AD. 

Even so, why is the title given mostly to Romans when numerous others devoutly follow the same faith?  Today people are divided into many different belief systems, just as people have almost always been.  Taking a step back in time to the ancient Roman days, one finds a division occurring between Protestants and Catholics.  “Following the Reformation in the 16th century, the church in ‘communion with the Bishop of Rome’ used the term ‘Catholic’ to distinguish itself from the various Protestant churches” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church).  Since the term Catholic set the Romans apart from everyone else including other Christians, the phrase Roman Catholicism enduring on today makes sense.  The church does after all prefer consistency and changing the name of an entire religion and group of people would cause controversy.

The history of the church is what makes the title Roman, however, when it comes down to the purpose and goal of the church, one finds the universal tone prevalent.  Looking around the Papal audience, one does not see only devout Catholics or Romans.  As I looked around, I saw people of all nationalities, religions, and belief systems excitedly gathered in one place and for one reason- to see the Pope.  The Pope addresses everyone, regardless of whether they follow the Catholic faith or not.  Though the Roman Catholic Church is not universal due to its fairly set belief system which excludes other religions, the church remains global because of its efforts to broadcast to all of the people of the world.  Just recently in London the Pope even made a large trip to continue the spread of the church’s teachings.  As we read in the London newspaper, the reports spoke of how the trip cost large controversial sums of money.  However, the other side of the argument is that the Vatican was reaching out to others and continuing the mission of Christ.  Regardless of what one believes and what stance is taken on the matter, the Roman Catholic Church will continue in their attempt to globalize and reach out.