Q’s from the Pews, What is the Universal Church, a particular church and a Parish?

The word church, derived from the Greek ecclesia, literally means “an assembly gathering.” However, it has come to be applied to many things: groups of believers, a faith tradition and even buildings. When Catholics use the term church, what do we mean?

The Universal Catholic Church encompasses all those who are in communion with Rome and the Pope. This Universal Church had its beginning in particular local churches, such as those started by the apostles. Over time, these local churches grew, both in numbers of believers and geographically. Today we call these local churches dioceses (in the West, Roman Catholic) and patriarchies (in the East), each under the pastoral authority of the Bishop or Patriarch, respectively.

As Christianity expanded, meeting the pastoral needs of the faithful became difficult for a single Bishop or Patriarch. The need for an extension of the pastoral vocations of Bishops/Patriarchs saw the development of the diocesan priesthood. These priests would then tend to some of the bishop’s pastoral duties within parishes that supported the priest. These parishes were part of the particular local church.

If an area was too small to support a priest and too far away for a bishop to care for, the bishop by canon law can establish subsidiary or mission quasi-parishes, assigning a priest to minister to them until such time as they can support themselves and become a parish.

In summary, St. Columba Parish is a parish within the particular church of the Diocese of Harrisburg within the Universal Catholic Church. Within the Diocese of Harrisburg, under its Bishop, the Pastor and Parochial Vicar of St. Columba Parish provide pastoral care to the subsidiary/mission quasi-parish of Christ the King. Send any questions to: dre@saintcolumbachurch.org