The ancient understanding of naming a thing is that a name reveals something true about the thing named. Referring to Adam naming the animals, Thomas Aquinas teaches that “God led the animals to man, that he might give them names expressive of their respective natures.” For example, the Latin word for horse is equus, from which we get words like “equestrian.” Equus derives from a yet more ancient root which means “swift.” This ancient Latin word tells us something about the nature of these noble beasts, perhaps the first thing that impressed Adam as they passed before him at full gallop!
So what does the name “Catholic” reveal about Canongate?
This reveals that we have the approval of Bishop Jugis to call ourselves Catholic. No institution in the diocese can give itself the name Catholic without his signature. This is not just a legal nicety. This reflects the bishop’s obligation to protect the name Catholic from those who would misrepresent or scandalize the Church. The bishop’s approval reveals his confidence that Canongate adheres to and promotes the teaching and practices of the Roman Catholic faith. His authority to designate Canongate as a Catholic school derives from his appointment by St. John Paul II and the laying on of hands by bishops, all of whom are in the line of apostolic succession from Christ’s bestowal of authority onto St. Peter himself (Matthew 16:19). The episcopal blessing that is ours by virtue of Bishop Jugis’s approval implies that we act and teach in his name, and since it is in his name, it is also in the name of Christ the Teacher. Our right to call ourselves “Catholic,” then, derives ultimately from Christ himself and reflects his promise to accompany us on this mission. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
In our next newsletter, we will consider another aspect of what it means that we bear the name “Catholic.