kəˈthäləˌsizəm, kaˈ- noun
( -s )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: probably from French catholicisme, from catholique catholic + -isme -ism
1. : the faith, practice, or system of the Catholic church : adherence to the Catholic church
by Catholicism is meant that traditional faith expressed in the days of “the undivided Church” — W.N.Pittenger
Greek, Roman, and Anglican Catholicism
2. : the faith, practice, or system of a Catholic church, specifically the Roman Catholic Church : catholicity 1a
3. : a peculiarity or characteristic of a Catholic
4. : a political philosophy derived chiefly from the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church and constituting the primary basis of the principles and policies of Catholic political parties
Catholicism inclines toward socialism on many economic questions