Evangelical Catholics?

[juansdec]

Hi everyone. I read something online frrom CRI-christian research institute about 7 types of Catholics. But I’m convinced that now HERE in the USA most catholics are really just Evangelicals=Evangelcail Catholics. I really don’t see anymore Cultural Catholcism here or evern Liberal Catholicism either, unless it’s very subtle.

I guess my point or question is-why are a lot of parishes copying the evangelical/charismatic churches?

Any ideas or thoughts on this???

Thanks…

 

[Joe_5859]

I disagree that there are no observable “cultural Catholics” or “liberal Catholics.” At least, I have met plenty of both.

In any case, your main question seems to be about the influence of evangelical protestantism on our Catholic parishes. I do not believe that there is a single answer.

I don’t know that I would say Catholic parishes are “copying” them intentionally, though I think some of them may be. I think some look at the dynamisn, fervor and what attracts people to those types of congregations and they want to emulate that in order to draw people to the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has a long tradition of taking what is good in other cultures and utilizing that in an effort to bring about conversion. Holding fast to what is good from other Christian groups would be another example of that.

Of course, one must always avoid taking things too far. We wouldn’t want to whitewash Catholic doctrine in an effort to be “relevant”.

 

[JRKH]

I suppose it depends on how these terms are defined…
Personally I see a lot of “cultural Catholics”, or what might also be termed “Catholic in name only” or “Christmas and Easter Catholics”…

Evangelical Catholics - Well I’m not sure what is meant by this term…

Peace
James

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Do you have a link to their definitions? I’d be interested in knowing what their seven types are and how they’re defined.

 

[Lovesa]

I don’t know that I would say Catholic parishes are “copying” them intentionally, though I think some of them may be. I think some look at the dynamisn, fervor and what attracts people to those types of congregations and they want to emulate that in order to draw people to the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has a long tradition of taking what is good in other cultures and utilizing that in an effort to bring about conversion. Holding fast to what is good from other Christian groups would be another example of that.

Hi! Chiming in with the above to agree that it’s prudent to use what has worked well for other Christian churches. (To a limit, of course.) The fact that the various types of Christians can influence each other in positive ways is, I think, one of the great things about Christianity. A Lutheran church I don’t go to but am aware of has a stations of the cross around Lent–from what I understand originally a Catholic thing. So I guess it goes both ways.

 

[Joe_5859]

Hi! Chiming in with the above to agree that it’s prudent to use what has worked well for other Christian churches. (To a limit, of course.) The fact that the various types of Christians can influence each other in positive ways is, I think, one of the great things about Christianity. A Lutheran church I don’t go to but am aware of has a stations of the cross around Lent–from what I understand originally a Catholic thing. So I guess it goes both ways.

Indeed. I think I’ve even heard of some Lutheran churches using the Catholic Lectionary for their worship. Why reinvent the wheel if you don’t have to.