That was not the point I was answering, William. The accusation I was answering was that Catholics are not unified. My response is that the unity of the Catholic Faith is the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Prior to that, the unity took place around the canons of councils, didn't it? The council met, and decided what was of God's mind, and told the believers what to believe.
For instance, the Jerusalem Council in Acts. Peter and the apostles got together, discussed and prayed, and at the end said
"....for it seemed go to us and the Holy Spirit..."
All who then obeyed this first canon of the first council were in good stead and unified to the Church. All who disobeyed were....well, let's let St. Paul make a statement as to their condition:
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
1 Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
So there was NOT unity among those who followed erroneous ways, was there? Did that withdrawl mean that the apostles were starting another denomination?
Not hardly.
It meant that the ones who were being disobedient were "excommunicated" and kept from the general assembly.
