Was John Constantine Actually a Catholic?

Many viewers of the TV series Legends of Tomorrow might have heard John Constantine make reference to himself as an atheist. However, this identity doesn’t align with early Christian history. This article delves into the concept of 'Catholic' in antiquity, explaining how the term was originally used to describe the entire Christian Church, and whether John Constantine, a character often celebrated for his atheism, was a Catholic in the broader sense of the term.

Understanding the Term 'Catholic'

The word Catholic (meaning universal) was originally used to describe the entirety of the Christian Church, including all Christians within a single diocese, typically within a single city. During the first four centuries of the Christian era, each church was independently governed by a local bishop, and the term ‘Catholic Church’ referred to all Christians collectively.

The Evolution of Church Structures

In the fourth century, the structure of the Church began to change. The Bishop of Rome, known as the Pope, gradually consolidated authority, initially at a provincial level, though with limited power compared to modern hierarchical structures. This process continued through the ninth century, with the western Church of the Roman Empire increasingly centralizing authority under the Pope, while other parts of the world maintained their older structures of independent dioceses.

The Birth of the Roman Catholic Church

In the ninth century, the western Church, under the central authority of the Pope, rejected the Eighth Ecumenical Council, recognized an earlier council denounced as heretical, and excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople. From this point forward, the western Church became known as the Roman Catholic Church. In everyday usage, this is often referred to simply as the Catholic Church, distinct from other traditional Churches such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Assyrian Orthodox Church, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Was Constantine a Catholic?

To answer the question: If John Constantine were a Christian, he would have been a fourth-century Catholic in the original sense of the term. This means he would have engaged in the formal liturgical and sacramental religion of the ancient Church, but in the modern sense, he could not be classified as a Roman Catholic.

Historical Evidence and Doubts

However, historical accounts cast doubt on Constantine's conversion to Christianity. Though he favored Christian religion and made significant contributions, there is no convincing evidence that he ever abandoned his faith in the pagan god Sol Invictus. According to Eusebius of Caesarea, Constantine’s conversion is only reported posthumously, and even then, his biographer describes a formal conversion on his deathbed.

Conclusion

In summary, while John Constantine, as a Christian, would fit the modern understanding of Catholic in the context of the fourth century, there is historical reason to doubt his conversion to Christianity. The term Catholic in the original sense, however, still applies, given his engagement with the formal religion of the ancient Church.

Understanding the evolution of this term helps shed light on the religious complexities of the past and provides context for modern discussions about faith and identity.