Stop Labeling Catholics

  • Thread starter Thread starter Youngling11
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Um you just described me… lol. Personally, I think boxes are more common than people like to think. We do this in all of life not just Catholicism but it is generally accurate. Your problem with the traditional label was your understanding and the general public’s understanding were different. It was just the wrong label, that’s all. If it helps, I’ve seen you post a ton and I’d label you a conservative Catholic. Or faithful Catholic, or obedient catholic etc. There are plenty of uses for adjectives!
 
I agree. I have no issue with differentiating Eastern Catholic from Western (I think as an Eastern Catholic it’s particularly important to me). Where I have problems is when we start seeing divisions and descriptors used in relation to political positions.
 
I am very active as I said pro-life club I lead, rosary group I lead, weekly adoration and Bible study, daily mass, I kneel on the floor due to no kneelers. Also love Dominicans.

But I also like my Churches in the round, like drums in mass, got no problem with married priests, obviously homosexual acts are disordered but I do not see homosexuals in and of themselves as disordered, I find them created just how God wanted them. (Pope Francis said God created gays just how He wanted them and loves them as such). I love social justice and I don’t really care too much about tradition. God is mercy. I also am not big on speaking about hell. Not good to fear God IMO. Also don’t like the word obedience. Also I think mankind should be humankind and “for us men” should be changed to “for us and our salvation”

Now what kind of Catholic am I? We can’t just label because no label fits someone perfectly
 
Last edited:
That’s wonderful.

However, you totally skipped part of my post. I didn’t say pro-life Catholics who liberal do not exist. No issues there.

I said conservative Catholics often go to mass regularly, while liberal, libertarian & neo-conservative Catholics often do not.

I never said there are no liberals, libertarians and neo-cons not going regularly.
 
For a Catholic not to be traditional would be theological nonsense . It is of the very essence of Catholicism to be traditional . All that I am and have as a Catholic has come to me by way of tradition . It can’t be otherwise .

The Fathers of the Second Council of the Vatican in Dei Verbum taught , “Sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred deposit of the word of God, committed to the Church. Holding fast to this deposit the entire holy people united with their shepherds remain always steadfast in the teaching of the Apostles, in the common life, in the breaking of the bread and in prayers , so that holding to, practicing and professing the heritage of the faith, it becomes on the part of the bishops and faithful a single common effort.”

It speaks of the ENTIRE people of God holding fast to this Tradition . And the entire people of God are called upon to hold fast to the ENTIRE deposit of faith .

So please take note “traditional” and “non-traditional” Catholics , it’s for ALL Catholics to take to heart ALL the deposit of faith . No more pick and mix . And both groups do it , but they oughtn’t . And we oughtn’t put up with the term “Traditional Catholic” unless it embraces all Catholics who by their nature can’t be but traditional .

Before becoming acquainted with American Catholicism , mainly through EWTN and predominantly American Catholic forums , the term “Liberal Catholics” was not part of my vocabulary .

I have no intention of adopting the term to use as part of my thinking . It is a label which belongs to politics , and lazy Catholics should not be using it as a term to attack other Catholics . Leave it with the politicians where it belongs . Because of the negative connotations associated with the adjective “Liberal” , it should ditched as part of our Catholic conversations on issues related to Catholicism
 
None of us here have been declared saints and none of us are capable of accurately judging someone else’s Catholicity. Moreover, our baptism leaves an indelible mark on our souls. It’s inappropriate to suggest “Yeah, but not really.” Let God judge each soul and how well it meets the Church’s requirements.
 
Yes, you already quoted St. Bellarmine. And I responded by explaining that no one here is a saint. “Anyone who rejects the faith, pure and simple is not Catholic.” And on what basis are you determining this rejection? A formal declaration or your gut feeling? If it’s anything but the former, you’re offering a personal judgment.
 
Kolbe1 said:
You don’t have to be a saint to state or recognize the obvious. I never said how or in what manner someone rejects the faith, what I pointed out was the objective reality. The facts. ’
It is not for anyone to judge the internal disposition of men. That is for God alone.
I am talking about the obvious principle; that anyone who rejects the Catholic faith is not Catholic. Hence our premise, "once a Catholic always a Catholic’ is false.
Click to expand...
The obvious? What you believe is “obvious” may not be obvious at all. Hence the personal judgment.
 
Kolbe1 said:
Yes, the principle is clear. I think St. Robert Bellarmine knew what he was talking about.
Perhaps you should take some time to read the Catechism.
Click to expand...
Well, that’s fun.

Welcome to the forums.
 
We are one body, yes, but the human body isn’t made up of only legs.

So long as we bow to Mother Church and respect her truths, then we are all in the right rite, so to speak
 
Some labels fit, others don’t. I personally don’t fit neatly into the conservative or liberal camp regarding my faith (or politics) but some fall into those labels on every issue. I wish there were not such distinctions because it makes me not fully accepted with either camp and it’s hard to find like minded believers but I stand my ground. I’m still learning about many issues and have not fully formed an opinion others and I’m ok with that. That feels authentic to me. So just call me Catholic.
 
Yeah, I’ve read the Catechism several times and I’m pretty sure it doesn’t say anything about Catholics “losing their Catholicness” when they fall away or start believing heresy. 😜

I’ve never understood why it seems so important to some to classify others as “not really Catholic” when they fall away. All they have to do is show up at Confession, start going to Mass again, and living the moral life, and they are back to being Catholics in good standing. What good does it do to call them “no longer Catholic”?
 
Last edited:
Politics is an instrument in spiritual warfare hence labeling is necessary in exposing error. We certainly can judge actions and Christ gave us the Spiritual Works of Mercy for a reason. Jesus said follow me and that includes following Him into the desert to do battle. Some might be squeamish and that is fine but don’t hinder those who recognize the battle for what it is and are willing to fight.
 
Joe_5859 said:
I’ve never understood why it seems so important to some to classify others as “not really Catholic” when they fall away.
Click to expand...
How bout saving lives? Liberals who say they are Catholic and go about the evil work of promoting abortion and infanticide thereby causing confusion.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top