how do you define being a "true" catholic?

Question

prayer? going to church every sunday? what makes a catholic?

Answer 1

The Dominical Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Period. The rest is up to God to judge.

Answer 2

After Hurricane Katrina I was wondering around trying to find gas. Out on a country road I came across an elderly catholic couple. They were completly cut off from the outside world. These folks didnt' have any water or food. They had humble faith in GOD . Before I parted the couple gave me a large jug of gas. The kindness of that Catholic couple is what a true Catholic is____ PS....I am 7th. Day Adventist

Answer 3

Believing only the Roman Catholic Church can save you. Falling for all the lies of the Roman Catholic Church. Thinking the priests are better than you. Wondering if you're good enough. Doing good things. Baptizing your baby. Practicing the sacrements. Worshiping Mary. Believing Mary never had sex. Not practicing birth control. Praying to Mary. Telling all your dirty secrets to a priest. Twisting the meaning of the Bible. Reproducing for the Roman Catholic Church. Going to private Catholic school. Attending Mass.

Answer 4

Being baptized into the Church

Recognizing the Bible as the infallible word of God

A very personal relationship with Jesus Christ

Living a moral, pious and sacramental life

Striving to remain in a state of grace, but utilizing the sacrament of reconciliation when you mess up

Frequently receiving the holy Eucharist

Believing and professing all that the Holy Catholic Church teaches to be truth

Answer 5

The Nicean Creed gives the 'letter of the law,' as it were. If you are Catholic, skip the Credo, because you already know it:

We believe in one God,
The Father almighty,
Maker of Heaven and Earth,
Of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
The only son of God,
Eternally begotten of the Father.
God from God,
Light from Light,
True God from True God,
Begotten, not made, of one being with the Father,
Through whom all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation,
He came down from Heaven.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
He was born of the Virgin Mary and became man.
For our sake, he was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered, died, and was buried.
On the third day, he rose again, in fulfillment of the Scriptures.
He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
And his kingdom shall have no end.
We believe in the holy spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son, he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic chufch.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins,
and we look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

* * *

I don't think there is any longer a set of principles which define a 'true' Catholic. I, for example, don't and never have believed in, transubstantiation. To me, the communion wafer is a communion wafer; it isn't the actual body and blood of Christ. I don't think even Christ at the Last Supper intended the bread and wine to be anything more than a symbol--but maybe that is just me ascribing my own beliefs to him.

It may be that what defines a 'true' Catholic in this day and age is simply administrative. We look to the Pope and to the hierarchy of the priesthood for religious guidance. Even this, though, is not graven in stone. I have disagreed with the Pope in the past on quite a number of issues--the inclusion of women into the priesthood, for instance.

I do not believe the Pope is infallible. The Pope is a human being, just as we are, and he is just as prone to error as we can be. God does not make Popes; the College of Cardinals does.

Why do I consider myself Catholic? I prefer the Catholic style of worship to any other form of Christian worship that I have yet encountered. It is rich with beautiful tradition and ritual. It has a robust history and a lively philosophical and artistic tradition. Yes, it has had its historical blunders, and it has been misused, but at its core, I like the traditions, the beauty, and the philosophy. I haven't found any other mode of worship that satisfied me on so many levels.

Maybe what defines a 'true' Catholic is a love of being Catholic? I don't know.

But I don't think being a 'true' Catholic means hearing the Mass in Latin, praying the Rosary, going to confession every week, and so forth. It may have meant that in the past, but not today.

Answer 6

You faithfully accept and fully participate in all of the authentic work, worship, sacraments and devotions of the Catholic church ... for a lifetime.

You subsequently live a life of true freedom and supernatural peace.

Then hopefully, at the moment of your death, Jesus judges you suitable for heaven, according to his grace.

Answer 7

The reason I am Catholic is that love my faith because it is what Jesus Christ left use to fallow. He is not cold God who just left a book (bible) for use to fallow. He left more than a bible. A people a church (united in prayer), holy tradition, and his grace (not only works) that can be traced to the beginning of his ministry. Since is run by man we are not perfect as Jesus. As Israel of the Old Testament tended walk away for the narrow path. As the Prophets of Israel guided people back to the right path also do the Saints of the Church. Jesus in only one how is most perfect of all and born without sin. To be catholic don’t have to fallow the Pope as long one is in communion with teachings and Holy Traditions of the church. I fallow the Vicar of Jesus Christ and he is infallibility. Infallibility only applies when talk with permission of the College of Cardinals deal with the Holy Scripture (bible). One will never go wrong with Holy Scripture (bible). More profound mean of infallibility look at sit http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07790a.htm . Look at my profiled below


I am Catholic, and I am faithful to the catholic teaching, Pope, and I belong to a community call the Neocatecumenal. Thanks to my catechist because I have received the love for church which is love Jesus Christ. My obedience only applies to matters of faith and spiritual instruction through holy scripture and tradition that come from Jesus Christ which makes use model citizens and persons. I profess the Catholic Cree form true Apostasy. We are not blind to scriptures and holy tradition, and authority pass through the church and apostles that comes from Jesus Christ, and we can prove it. We learn scripture by living it as Jesus taught. Understanding of the passion of the cross, experiences (not words and faith alone), and with the grace of God given to use by him. Scripture (Bible) is engraved in our hearts. I love my country USA, and I will defend country’s constitution. This country founded with Catholic values. May love Christ and peace be with you all.

To sammries all fallowing Christ on the cross.

Answer 8

Obedience to the word of God and the hierarchy of the Church

I need to clarify---someone CJ hates---if he hates ya---your Catholic lol

Answer 9

A true catholic is one who adheres to the catholic doctrines. A true christian follows the teaching of Jesus Christ. Christ was before church doctrines. The choice is yours.

Answer 10

Baptism.