Jim,

That is because the word catholic in Greek means universal.

We believe the Church is for, and open to, all peoples of every race, culture, and time period. The word took on name status for the universal Christian Church and eventually was simply called Catholic.

We know St Ignatius of Antioch used the term Catholic Church in his writings of the second century. Now, unfortunately, it is often denoted to point to differences between the Church and Protestantism (as well as eastern Orthodoxy).

Peace,

Paul

Hi Jim,

I just wanted to add to Paul's reply.

As Paul said:
We believe the Church is for, and open to, all peoples of every race, culture, and time period.

My favorite phrase can be found in the Catechism when it says, paraphrasing:

The word Catholic means the Christian faith according to its totality so to elaborate on Paul's statement:

The faithful Catholic practices the Christian faith according to its totality; meaning nothing is left out, and is open to all peoples of every race, culture, and time period.

Sorry to be picky Paul : )

Mike