Many Catholics think that “Catholic” means “universal,” and they are correct, but they make the mistake of thinking this is universal not through history, but just today in this current Church crisis.We look to the great saint and doctor of the Church of the 5th century, St. Vincent of Lerins, for how to navigate a Church crisis when many bishops believe and teach different things. St. Vincent of Lerins was one of the very, very few bishops who fought against the global 5th century heresy of Arianism believed by 98% of the bishops of his day.We will see below in his writings why “Catholic” does not mean “universal” (for example, as in an opinion poll of a certain time of history) but rather that Catholicism is that what has been believed “everywhere, always and by all” Catholics of the past, for New Advent quotes the great saint:

Originally published in Padre Peregrino. Read original article