There are those here who think the Southern Baptists were the original Catholics, lol.
There are those here who think the Apostle Peter was the first “pope” despite his never having heard the terms “pope” or “catholic” and he would have been absolutely horrified at the prospect of being considered Pontifex Maximus of pagan Rome, lol.
There’s a long history of religionists making unverifiable claims. At least the word “baptist” is actually recorded in scripture, unlike “pope” or “catholic.” The age of a tenuous claim does not change the fact that it’s a tenuous claim. And, if novelty were a problem for Catholics, there’s a whole boatload of 19th century Mariology that should be jettisoned.
My best friend thinks that!!