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Catholic means "universal" and the phrase '''Catholic Church''' refers to the single universal Christian church founded by Peter.

Catholic means "universal" and the phrase '''Catholic Church''' refers to the single universal Christian church founded by Peter.

In the United States, the phrase "Catholic church" is often a shortened name for the [[Roman Catholic church]], overwhelmingly the largest of the denominations calling themselves "Catholic." The Roman Catholic Church is, however, only the Western branch of the Catholic Church, which separated from the Eastern branches in the [[Great Schism]]. The Eastern branches do not have a single umbrella organization. They include the Eastern Orthodox Church and a number of Eastern Catholic Churches.

The term "The Catholic church" refers to any one of several Rites, but in the United States is often used synonymously for the largest Rite, the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Other Rites include the Byzantine, Alexandrian, Syriac, Armenian, Maronite, and Chaldean Rites. The Eastern rites have significant differences in liturgy, history, discipline and hierarchy from the Roman Catholic Church, but still recognize the primacy of the Bishop of Rome (the [[Pope]]) and are in communion with Rome.

Despite important differences in doctrine, the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern churches recognize each other as part of the Catholic Church. For example, each of them accepts each others' Holy Orders (priesthood) as valid.

These Eastern Rite churches are Catholic, unlike the Orthodox churches that split from the Catholic Church during the Great Schism of 1054.

"Catholic" can be opposed to "Protestant." Protestants regard themselves as Christians, but Catholics do not regard Protestants as authentically within the church established by Peter, and do not regard Protestant ministers as being validly ordained. Protestants would of course challenge this, but nevertheless agree that there is a wide separation between Protestant denominations and the churches that refer to themselves as "Catholic."

"Catholic" can be opposed to "Protestant." Protestants regard themselves as Christians, but Catholics do not regard Protestants as authentically within the church established by Peter, and do not regard Protestant ministers as being validly ordained. Protestants would of course challenge this, but nevertheless agree that there is a wide separation between Protestant denominations and the churches that refer to themselves as "Catholic."