[boatbums]

There’s no doubt that these communities have points in common with the Church, but it’s quite telling that the Catechism refuses to extend to them the name “churches”.

Actually, your Catechism DOES extend the name churches to those outside of the Catholic church. Maybe you'd like to explain the difference between "churches" and "ecclesial communities" seeing as "ecclesia/ekklesia" means the same thing?

[Claud]

Maybe you'd like to explain the difference between "churches" and "ecclesial communities" seeing as "ecclesia/ekklesia" means the same thing?

Hm, good question. You know how in the grocery store there is a difference between "cheese" and "cheese food" or "cheese product"? Similar thing here I would suspect.

Here is an explanation