Why do we say we believe in the "holy catholic church" in the Apostles' Creed? Is this a reference to the Roman Catholic Church?

The expression “holy catholic church” in the Apostles' Creed means the one universal Church of Christ.  The word "catholic" as used here means "universal."  It is not a reference to the Catholic Church.

The Upper Room's Ask Julian Web site also offers an answer to this question.