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For a good summary of Catholic theology read the Apostles Creed. Our theology is Christ centered and focused on grace and the call to holiness.

The fundamental differences between Catholic and Protestant theology rests with authority (visible church not invisible), sacraments and the communion of saints. All of these distinctive doctrines are found all over the place when you read the writings of the early church.

One of the earliest writings from the first century is a document called the Didache. This is an early teaching document relating to the practice of Christianity. It talks about the Eucharist and how baptism does not have to be by immersion but also pouring.

There is some variety of opinion among the church fathers. However, the key is to look for consensus and the consensus among them are all aligned with Catholic theology.

These writings can be found online at www.newadvent.org or www.ccel.org (among other websites).

Barnabas [10-70 AD]
Clement, Pope [27-97 AD]
Ignatius of Antioch [50-117 AD]
Hermas [60-120 AD]
Polycarp [69-155 AD]
Aristides the Philosopher [90-150 AD]
Papias [90-140 AD]
Justin Martyr [100-165 AD]
Irenaeus of Lyons [120-180 AD]
Tatian [120-180 AD]
Athenagoras [150-200 AD]
Clement of Alexandria [150-215 AD]
Theophilus [150-200 AD]
Bardesanes [154-222 AD]
Julius Africanus [160-240 AD]
Tertullian [160-240 AD]
Hippolytus [170-236 AD]
Caius [180-240 AD]
Origen [185-254 AD]
Dionysius the Great [190-265 AD]
Cyprian of Carthage [200-270 AD]
Dionysius of Rome [200-268 AD]
Minucius Felix [200-270 AD]
Gregory Thaumaturgus [213-275 AD]
Novatian [220-270 AD]
Victorinus [240-303 AD]
Pamphilus [250-309 AD]
Peter of Alexandria [260-311 AD]
Arnobius [265-315 AD]
Eusebius of Caesarea [265-340 AD]
Alexander of Alexandria [266-326 AD]
Alexander of Lycopolis [280-360 AD]
Aphrahat/Aphraates [280-367 AD]
Lactantius [290-350 AD]
Athanasius, St [296-373 AD]
Commodianus [300-360 AD]
Hilary of Poitiers, St [300-367 AD]
Ephraim the Syrian, St [306-373 AD]
Cyril of Jerusalem, St [315-386 AD]
Gregory Nazianzen, St [325-389 AD]
Gregory of Nyssa [325-386 AD]
Basil the Great, St [329-379 AD]
Ambrose, St [340-397 AD]
Jerome, St [347-420 AD]
John Chrysostom, St [347-407 AD]
Augustine of Hippo, St [354-430 AD]
John Cassian [360-435 AD]
Sulpitius Severus [363-420 AD]
Sozomen [375-447 AD]
Socrates Scholasticus [379-450 AD]
Vincent of Lérins [390-450 AD]
Theodoret [393-457 AD]
Leo the Great, Pope [395-461 AD]