Catholic

From the Greek word 'katholikos', which means 'throughout the whole' or 'universal'.

A world-wide faith, rather than a local one. The Nicene Creed, recited in the churches of many Christian denominations, speaks of 'one holy catholic and apostolic church'.

Many faith groups refer to themselves as Catholic: the Roman Catholic Church, centred in the Vatican; Anglo-Catholics (within the Anglican Communion); and Evangelical Catholics (among Lutherans).

See also Roman Catholicism.