Without even getting into hefty theological or ecclesial matters, here are some of the most basic of basic criteria, that if you wilfully fail to meet, disqualifies you from calling yourself Catholic.
According to statistics (if reliable) 69% of catholics in the US do not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Therefore only 31% of the novus ordo sect can be considered catholic and out of thar 31% it would be interesting to know how many of those believe that other religions are a means of obtaining salvation. Like you say, we need to start dropping the prefix "Traditional" when describing our faith. We are Catholic and there is only one Catholicism.
Was that the one that used anyone who would check the Catholic box, even if they hadn’t been to Church in 20 years? Or the one where they were regular mass goers?
They were both bad, but of course the I strangely still identify as Catholics not believing is not a surprise.
From what I gather the survey was taken from those baptised and identify as Catholic. The majority of novus ordo attendees only occasionally attend and maybe the reason for that is their unbelief in the Real Presence. I must admit my own doubts concerning the Real Presence in the novus ordo missae..
1. Just be careful to not equate improper Eucharistic handling with the intention to mishandle the Eucharist. A lot of the poor decisions made for such are made out of charity without full understanding, whether it is by the volunteers who act as extraordinarily ministers or those receiving on the hand while fighting off a cold, or those promoting such things. These things have taken such a hold among laity and clergy alike that I can not impute intentional ignorance on even the priests. The spiritual heads and peers believe it to be good for a reason, even if misguided, and that ingrains belief in bad practices. You must be careful to educate without turning away those who are genuinely seeking to serve God and the Church.
2. Even the most unrepentant mortal sinners who have the mark of baptism on their souls are Catholic, and they will be judged more harshly because of the Salvific grace which they squandered than the unbaptized pagans or even cannibals. They are bearing the Lord’s Name in vain as “Christians” and do His Name dishonor. It is both more precise and more convicting to tell someone that they are a bad Catholic than that they are not Catholic at all. The latter just relieves them of their responsibility.
Just want to clarify because I see everyone saying the Eucharist is not a symbol: YES IT IS! It’s just that it’s not ONLY a symbol. The substantial form of the glorified Christ does not have the accidents of a wheat wafer or grape wine! Christ has a body! A glorified body! He looks like a human being because he became man and his human nature is inseparable from his divine nature. The Eucharist is substantially Christ, yes. But it is still Christ veiled.
Simple…elegant and to the point…Well Done 😌. Unfortunately so many of us are soooo poorly catechized that we fall trap to Satan’s snares and forget what Christ calls us to be. Pray for Mother Church and for our fellow Catholics. Pax
I hate to break it to you, but you don't get to decide who is Catholic and who is not. I know these things make you angry, and you wish you could control them, but you can't.
My family no longer take the eucharist in hand because of you. We appreciate the knowledge and guidance. God bless.
Your comment brought tears to my eyes. Praise God!
According to statistics (if reliable) 69% of catholics in the US do not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Therefore only 31% of the novus ordo sect can be considered catholic and out of thar 31% it would be interesting to know how many of those believe that other religions are a means of obtaining salvation. Like you say, we need to start dropping the prefix "Traditional" when describing our faith. We are Catholic and there is only one Catholicism.
Was that the one that used anyone who would check the Catholic box, even if they hadn’t been to Church in 20 years? Or the one where they were regular mass goers?
They were both bad, but of course the I strangely still identify as Catholics not believing is not a surprise.
From what I gather the survey was taken from those baptised and identify as Catholic. The majority of novus ordo attendees only occasionally attend and maybe the reason for that is their unbelief in the Real Presence. I must admit my own doubts concerning the Real Presence in the novus ordo missae..
1. Just be careful to not equate improper Eucharistic handling with the intention to mishandle the Eucharist. A lot of the poor decisions made for such are made out of charity without full understanding, whether it is by the volunteers who act as extraordinarily ministers or those receiving on the hand while fighting off a cold, or those promoting such things. These things have taken such a hold among laity and clergy alike that I can not impute intentional ignorance on even the priests. The spiritual heads and peers believe it to be good for a reason, even if misguided, and that ingrains belief in bad practices. You must be careful to educate without turning away those who are genuinely seeking to serve God and the Church.
2. Even the most unrepentant mortal sinners who have the mark of baptism on their souls are Catholic, and they will be judged more harshly because of the Salvific grace which they squandered than the unbaptized pagans or even cannibals. They are bearing the Lord’s Name in vain as “Christians” and do His Name dishonor. It is both more precise and more convicting to tell someone that they are a bad Catholic than that they are not Catholic at all. The latter just relieves them of their responsibility.
You beat me to it, B. And said it better anyway.
Well said!!!
Sorry, not sorry, style repentance will not get you to heaven.
If I had a time machine I’d go back in time and stop myself from sinning, is true repentance.
Don’t tell Bp Barron about the Universalism (or his followers)!
Bishop Barron doesn’t believe in universalism. Calumny can be a mortal sin, but is certainly venial. Maybe that should be in this article too.
Hi there. Please research Bishop Baron's comment about Christ not being the only way but the "privileged way".
Blessings and appreciation from Sydney Australia.
Excellent. Thanks!
Just want to clarify because I see everyone saying the Eucharist is not a symbol: YES IT IS! It’s just that it’s not ONLY a symbol. The substantial form of the glorified Christ does not have the accidents of a wheat wafer or grape wine! Christ has a body! A glorified body! He looks like a human being because he became man and his human nature is inseparable from his divine nature. The Eucharist is substantially Christ, yes. But it is still Christ veiled.
Brilliant essay. Thank you! 🙏
The ones that get so angry, are the ones that know in their heart you are right.
100% correct!! The gate to heaven is indeed narrow but for Catholics even more so.
Simple…elegant and to the point…Well Done 😌. Unfortunately so many of us are soooo poorly catechized that we fall trap to Satan’s snares and forget what Christ calls us to be. Pray for Mother Church and for our fellow Catholics. Pax
Get a life. Your poor kids. Cradle Catholic and seminary grad here.
If you aren't a Catholic because you can't perfectly follow the moral teachings, one wonders what confession is for?
I hate to break it to you, but you don't get to decide who is Catholic and who is not. I know these things make you angry, and you wish you could control them, but you can't.
Right? It's like, dude, get back to me when you're a bishop, otherwise you're flagrantly violating Catholic doctrine just by being so judgemental.
It's ok, though, Jesus forgives him.