The term catholic was first used in the letter of St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans (about ad110). The term was later used by Clement of Alexandria in his Stromata (Miscellanies). The procedural use of the word seems to have been established by the beginning of the 3rd century. The formal principle of the Catholic Church was expressed by the French theologian Vincent of Lérins as follows: that which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all. The Catholic Church is the world's largest, and Christianity's oldest, religious body. Her 860 million members inhabit the width and breadth of the earth, comprising almost one-fifth of the total human population. She is far and away the most popular religious concept the world has ever known. Ironically, though, the Catholic Church is also the world's most controversial religious concept. Catholic belief is different, too different to be orthodox, say Protestants and Christian cultists. Catholic belief is too ethereal to be logical, and too strict to be enjoyable, say the humanists and agnostics. Hence to millions of people, Catholicism is not only a colossal success; it is also a massive mystery. (The Columbia Encyclopedia)
In keeping with early Christian customs, the basic component of association in the Roman Catholic Church is the diocese, headed by a bishop. The church comprises nearly 2,000 dioceses and 561 archdioceses, which are more distinguished sees (areas of jurisdiction) that have certain responsibilities for governance in the dioceses attached to them. The major church in a diocese is the cathedral, where the bishop presides at worship and other ceremonies. The cathedral contains the bishop’s “throne” or “chair” (Latin cathedra), from which in the early church he preached to his congregation. The Oxford movement, which began in Great Britain in 1833, had a strong impact on the Episcopal.........
