Question 43: Why do we Catholics identify ourselves as Catholics rather than simply using the title "Christian"? Many Protestants say that Catholics are not Christians, how should I respond?

Answer: We Catholics are both Catholic and Christian. Yet, by calling ourselves Catholic we are separating ourselves from the many "Christians" who deny the Divinity of Christ; the Bible as the Word of God; original sin; the necessity of baptism; the indissolubility of the marriage bond, etc.; and who advocate all kinds of ridiculous religious practices and absurdities, from denying the reality of matter to being bitten by poisonous snakes as an act of faith.

The distinction between Christian and Catholic, between Christianity and Catholicity, as it exists in many minds today, was unheard of prior to the Protestant Reformation. Today, the word Christian is used in vague and loose ways. It may still refer to a member of the Catholic Church, but, quite as often, may indicate an Episcopalian, a Presbyterian, a Lutheran, or merely a person who is not a Jew or Muslim. Such a subjective or negative use of the word "Christian" would have been unthinkable prior to the Reformation. The word Catholic was, prior to the Reformation, and is today, synonymous with the word Christian.

Identifying ourselves as Catholics has great propaganda value. Be proud to identify yourself as a Catholic. It tells the world that our Christ is not divided; it signifies doctrinal absoluteness in religious principles and moral standards; it says unequivocally that we hold Christianity in its fullness to be Catholic. You might respond with "Catholics were the first Christians, and we are the only Christian body that has the fullness of God's revelation."