In order to be Catholic, you have to hold opinions which are distinctively Catholic, right?

[BornInMarch]

By your definition they were. Because anyone baptised in the Catholic Church was still Catholic after they became Protestant, Orthodox, Mormon or whatever.

No, because I never said that a baptism carried out by a Catholic was automatically “in the Church”.

It seems like you’re ignoring the main point of my claim in order to focus on the minutia, because you want to believe that Liberal Catholics aren’t part of the church, are undeserving of God’s love, and are bound for Hell.

I’m done talking to you. You haven’t convinced me of your point, just left me frustrated.

 

[Dovekin]

On that basis everyone who has ever been baptized has to be regarded as a Catholic because baptism can be done by any baptised person and all baptisms trace back to the original baptism of the apostles. On your interpretation therefore all Christians are Catholic. Sorry I don’t buy that.

That is what Lumen Gentium suggests:

The Church recognizes that in many ways she is linked with those who, being baptized, are honored with the name of Christian, though they do not profess the faith in its entirety or do not preserve unity of communion with the successor of Peter. For there are many who honor Sacred Scripture, taking it as a norm of belief and a pattern of life, and who show a sincere zeal. They lovingly believe in God the Father Almighty and in Christ, the Son of God and Saviour. They are consecrated by baptism, in which they are united with Christ. They also recognize and accept other sacraments within their own Churches or ecclesiastical communities. Many of them rejoice in the episcopate, celebrate the Holy Eucharist and cultivate devotion toward the Virgin Mother of God. They also share with us in prayer and other spiritual benefits. Likewise we can say that in some real way they are joined with us in the Holy Spirit, for to them too He gives His gifts and graces whereby He is operative among them with His sanctifying power. Some indeed He has strengthened to the extent of the shedding of their blood. In all of Christ’s disciples the Spirit arouses the desire to be peacefully united, in the manner determined by Christ, as one flock under one shepherd, and He prompts them to pursue this end.

The differences are described briefly, ie they do not profess the faith in its entirety or do not preserve unity of communion with the successor of Peter. But imperfect as our union with them may be, we count them as brothers and sisters in the one faith. It is not some distinctive tenet of our faith that distinguishes us from them, but something in their faith. We always hope that we may be united as one family under one Father.

 

[vsedriver]

On that basis everyone who has ever been baptized has to be regarded as a Catholic because baptism can be done by any baptised person and all baptisms trace back to the original baptism of the apostles.

actually, even an atheist can perform a valid baptism. Not all baptisms trace back to the apostles.

A valid baptism requires proper matter and proper form. As there is only one baptism for the remission of sins, then anyone baptized with the proper matter and form is a member of the Catholic Church. So some Christians are members of the Catholic Church by virtue of the baptism and some are not.

Whether or not you practice Catholicism doesn’t change the mark of a sacramental baptism. Baptism opens the door to salvation but doesn’t guarantee it.

 

[johnnykins]

Well, that’s what the catechism says…so yes:

[1267](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/1267.htm’) Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ: "Therefore . . . we are members one of another."72 Baptism incorporates us into the Church . From the baptismal fonts is born the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or human limits of nations, cultures, races, and sexes: "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body."73