What Does It Mean To Be Catholic? (Part Two)

In our last post we explored the idea that at its core, Catholicism encompasses not only a faith in Jesus Christ but also adherence to a set of doctrines, moral teachings, and practices that bind believers together in community. We further postulated that Catholicism is about much more then attending Mass. It is about an entire belief system which adherents agree to, profess faith in and regularly practice. To be Catholic then, is to accept the core beliefs, practices, and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church.

Herein lies the difficulty. When we consider the research that looks into how many American and Canadian Catholics accept the core teachings of the Church, the findings are pretty grim.

This post examines the core doctrines of the faith and the varying levels of adherence to Catholic teachings in North America.

Catholicism, while rich in tradition and diverse in cultural expressions, is united by certain fundamental beliefs and practices, each of which plays a crucial role in the faith and practice of Catholics.

The Core Beliefs of Catholicism that form the basis of Catholic identity:

• Doctrine of the Trinity
• Authority of the Pope
• The Sacraments
• Transubstantiation
• Moral Teachings
• Virgin Mary and the Saints
• Eschatology (Life After Death).