<P> The terms `` catholic '' , `` catholicism '' and `` catholicity '' is closely related to the use of the term Catholic Church . The earliest evidence of the use of that term is the Letter to the Smyrnaeans that Ignatius of Antioch wrote in about 108 to Christians in Smyrna . Exhorting Christians to remain closely united with their bishop , he wrote : `` Wherever the bishop shall appear , there let the multitude ( of the people ) also be ; even as , wherever Jesus Christ is , there is the Catholic Church . '' </P>
<P> The terms `` catholic '' , `` catholicism '' and `` catholicity '' is closely related to the use of the term Catholic Church . The earliest evidence of the use of that term is the Letter to the Smyrnaeans that Ignatius of Antioch wrote in about 108 to Christians in Smyrna . Exhorting Christians to remain closely united with their bishop , he wrote : `` Wherever the bishop shall appear , there let the multitude ( of the people ) also be ; even as , wherever Jesus Christ is , there is the Catholic Church . '' </P>
when was the term catholic church first used
when was the term catholic church first used
about 108
about 108