The word ‘Catholic’ is often misunderstood as meaning Roman Catholic, but Rome has no copyright on the word. The words ‘Catholic Church’ in ancient times referred to the universal Church, teaching the entire Faith of Jesus Christ which He gave to the Apostles. In our day, when the Church is sadly divided, the term ‘Catholic Church’ denotes those branches of the Church which, though separate, still teach the Apostolic Faith and continue Apostolic practice; these include not only Roman Catholic but also the Eastern Orthodox and the Old Catholics, as well as Anglicans. The word ‘Anglican’ refers to our heritage and roots in the Church of England.
