Author
Home > Sociology > What is the Difference Between Catholic and Roman Catholic?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Catholic and Roman Catholic?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The terms "Catholic" and "Roman Catholic" are often used interchangeably, but there are some differences between the two. The main difference is that Roman Catholics are a part of the Roman Rite, which is the largest rite within the Catholic Church and includes most of the Catholics in the Western world. On the other hand, Catholics can refer to members of other rites within the Catholic Church, such as Maronite Catholics, Ukrainian Catholics, and Chaldean Catholics. All of these rites are in communion with the pope and teach the same faith, but they have some differences in local customs.

Some other differences between Roman Catholic and Catholic include:

  • Authority: Bishops are authorized to apply the canons on Roman Catholics, while Catholics do not take canons as laws and do not give the authority to anyone to apply them.
  • Beliefs: Roman Catholics believe in the Immaculate Conception and Purgatory, while Catholics may not believe in these concepts.
  • Rites: Roman Catholics are part of the Roman Rite, while Catholics can belong to other rites within the Catholic Church.

In summary, the main difference between Catholic and Roman Catholic is the rite they belong to within the Catholic Church. Roman Catholics are part of the Roman Rite, while Catholics can belong to other rites. All of these rites are in communion with the pope and teach the same faith, but they have some differences in local customs and beliefs.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Catholic and Roman Catholic?
  • Comparative Table: Catholic vs Roman Catholic

    • Comparative Table: Catholic vs Roman Catholic

    The main difference between Roman Catholics and Catholics is that Roman Catholics make up the majority of the Christian community and are members of the Roman rite, while Catholics can belong to various rites within the Catholic Church, such as Maronite Catholics, Ukrainian Catholics, and Chaldean Catholics. Here is a table comparing the two:

    Feature Roman Catholic Catholic
    Definition A Catholic who is a member of the Roman rite A member of a church in communion with the Pope, which includes various rites such as Maronite, Ukrainian, and Chaldean Catholics
    Rite Roman rite Various rites, including Roman, Maronite, Ukrainian, and Chaldean
    Beliefs and Practices Beliefs about the sacraments, the roles of the Bible and tradition, the importance of the Virgin Mary and the saints, and the papacy Beliefs and practices are consistent with the Catholic faith, but local customs may vary among different rites
    Communion with the Pope Yes, Roman Catholics are in communion with the Pope Yes, all Catholics are in communion with the Pope

    Both Roman Catholics and Catholics share the same core beliefs, such as the special authority of the Pope and the teachings of Jesus Christ. However, there are differences in local customs and traditions among various rites within the Catholic Church.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.