Introduction
Hi, I’m Dan Marcum. You’re watching lesson 5 of module 2 of the Online Basic Evangelization Training. The module is One Good Reason, and the lesson is “One Good Reason for Catholics.” In this lesson, we’ll address specific “types” of Catholics — most of whom do not embrace the faith fully and enthusiastically, or, worse, have left the Church entirely. This lesson will provide good reasons and arguments for how to win them back.
Although most of these categories can and often do overlap with one another, it is useful to identify five basic types of Catholics that you might encounter:
- “Spiritual, not Religious” Catholic—Baptized and sits in the pew, but may read a lot of New Age (i.e. Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, etc). Very subjective and relativistic in their beliefs; very “feelings-based”. Although they still consider themselves to be Catholic, they believe that virtually all religions are true . They often attempt to incorporate New Age beliefs into their Christianity, in turn rejecting many core Catholics beliefs, if sometimes only unknowingly. Such Catholics are likely to take as much spiritual advice from Oprah as from their pastor.
- “Protestant Catholic”—Baptized and sits in the pew, but assumes the Church is of trivial importance. Christianity, for them, is predominantly about their private interpretation of the Bible. They assume a Protestant paradigm and feel they can arrive at their own religious conclusions. Because of this attitude, they may read books of Protestant pastors, attend Protestant conferences, and hold to certain Protestant teachings.
- “Secular Catholic”—Baptized and sits in the pew, but allows politics to guide their religious beliefs, rather than the other way around. Such Catholics may be deeply at odds with Church teachings on anything from abortion and contraception, to gay marriage and priestly celibacy, to peace and economic justice, and more. Such Catholics are more likely to have a Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump bumper sticker, than a “Pray the Rosary” bumper sticker.
- “Fallen-Away Catholic”—Baptized but no longer “sits in the pew.” These Catholics have left the Church and the practice of the faith. Their reasons for leaving usually involve disagreement with one or more Church teachings, being treated badly in the Church, or being upset over Church scandals. A prime example is anger over the clergy sexual abuse scandals. As a result of these things, the “fallen-away Catholic” (like most of the other categories) might have a jaded attitude about the Church.
- Faithful Catholic— Baptized, sits in the pew, and practices the faith.
Among these five categories there are cold, lukewarm, and hot Catholics, as Revelation chapter 3, verses 15-16 puts it. The first three categories can be designated “lukewarm Catholics,” the fourth a “cold” Catholic, and the last a “hot” Catholic.
It is important to note that many of the Catholics that have gone astray, have probably done so in ignorance. On the other hand, surely many of them have gone astray knowingly and willingly, and bear the guilt of disobedience, party-spirit, schism, heresy or apostasy.
To discuss “One Good Reason” for Catholics, we will need to consider a variety of objections—everything from the authority of the Catholic Church to considerations on sexual ethics—and their possible responses. Doing so will better equip you to handle the wide range of objections you’re likely to encounter among Catholics for why they don’t fully embrace the teachings of the Church or have stopped attending Church altogether.
It is also important to note that all the Catholics are all our brothers or sisters in Christ. They have all been marked with the sign of baptism, that is, claimed for Christ—and even more, all within the visible bounds of the one Church that Christ established, the Catholic Church. For this reason, we should treat them all as we would treat our family members: with courtesy, respect, and a special, preferential love.