Many individuals identify themselves as Catholics, but unfortunately only a relatively few actually follow and practice the principles of the Catholic faith. Numerous politicians enjoy identifying themselves as Catholics, but readily and quickly disavow most of the teachings of the Catholic faith. Some among the clergy celebrate their disapproval of many of the fundamental tenets of the faith….yet they shamelessly proclaim that they are fully committed to the Catholic faith. Over the last few decades, confusion began to run amuck among the ordinary Catholic as to what it actually means to be a Catholic. Bishops and priests have often contributed to this confusion by their acceptance of variances in the basic teachings of the church, by poor example in their life styles, and by their refusal to clearly and repeatedly condemn false interpretations of the official teachings of the church

Being Catholic appears to take on several very different meanings, with code words or titles applied to each meaning. Some Catholics are referred to as Modernist / Progressive Catholics, while others purport to be Traditional Catholics. The fact is that those who fall into the Progressive /Modernist category really belong to the Episcopalian or other Christian sects and, considering their belief systems, would be far more comfortable in one of those sects…if they had the courage to admit they were no longer catholic in actual practice. Some of the “Traditional” Catholics would be very welcome and probably feel more comfortable in the Society of PiusX or other so-called traditional groups.  The fact remains that many individuals in both of these groups are Catholic in name only and remain in the church for social, cultural, or political reasons. They surreptitiously attempt to change the church into their predominately secular image.

Then how can one define the characteristics of faithful Catholics?

•   Firstly, eliminate all the descriptive terms such as progressive, modernist, traditional, and so on. One is Catholic or one is not; there is a unity in the truth of the church.

•  Secondly, a catholic is a person who accepts the teachings of the Church as found in the Magisterium without qualification.  The Magisterium includes the Holy Scriptures and Tradition as taught by the popes and bishops throughout the ages. The newly appointed Prefect of the Congregation of the Faith, Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller commented, “One can be Catholic only when one acknowledges the Church’s faith wholly and entirely. That includes the Magisterium, and the Second Vatican Council is also a very significant part of the Magisterium.… The unity of the Church and the truth of the faith are two sides of the same coin.” Jesus Christ promised to protect His church from error in regards to faith and morals. The church is Christ’s gift and teaching guide to mankind; He has promised to protect it to the end of the age. Thus it is vitally important that individual Catholics learn and accept the faith in detail.

•   Thirdly, a catholic commits to living out the teachings of the church in daily life as best as he or she can. Knowing the faith is only one half of the equation, living the faith in action is the very important second half. …. and is occasionally very challenging.

•   Fourthly, and most importantly, every thought and action of the church and her adherents should be directed towards communion with God….the ultimate unity of the individual person with God. This is the essential purpose of all Catholics; nothing else matters.

Jesus promised to help men and women learn and act out the faith. In his conversations with St. Faustina, the saint noted for her commitment to the Divine Mercy, Jesus emphasized again and again His mercy, but he also strongly condemned lukewarm Catholics. Unfortunately, there appears to be many, many lukewarm, compromising individuals who call themselves Catholic. Are you one of them?  Just be Catholic….without the compromises!