Unapologetic Catholic FAQs: email: [email protected]
1. Are you loyal to the Magisterium?
Yes. Even though I generally find this to be a trick question, I am loyal to the magisterium. The problem with the question is that I have yet to find a person who asks this question who is also loyal to the magisterium. People who ask this question think they are loyal to the magisterium, but they really aren’t, they’re more apologetic than Catholic. Without exception, these people have no doubts about what the magisterium is, and they’re objectively wrong. So, many people will conclude that I’m not loyal to the Magisterium, because I’m not loyal to their magisterium—big difference.
2. Well, are you Orthodox?
Probably not. There are many teachings of the Church that deeply trouble me as they should deeply trouble any thinking Catholic. I think they’re incorrect and internally inconsistent but I’m still studying them, researching their history and ready to change my change my mind regarding troublesome teachings or until Development of Doctrine results in a change of the troublesome teaching. Until then--submission of the intellect is the best I can hope for, and, fortunately for me, is all the Church asks. I hope that I’m honest enough to say so when I discuss difficult issues. Generally, as I read Catholic blogs, and comments and public pronouncements I can only think of a few, less than 3, catholic laymen who have not ever announced an unorthodox belief. So, in some sense, the vast majority of Catholics, say 99.99%, are unorthodox to a greater or lesser degree—and most don’t realize it. If you’re Catholic and you’re reading this entry you can probably presume you’re in that great majority. I put myself in that category. I’m pretty sure I would stumble over some of the great mysteries of the Church, the Trinity and Transubstantiation for example. To me, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. That’s why it’s called “formation” and that process is ongoing. I see Orthodoxy as a “target”--concentric circles of increasing orthodoxy. It’s not that I mean to say the wrong thing when discussing the Trinity—I want to be right, and by continued study thought and prayer I’ll get closer to the bullseye. When I’m accidentally not orthodox, I mean to be orthodox. Maybe an example helps. There’s Mexican lady down the street who lights candles in her homemade shrine to Our Lady of Guadelupe. I’m pretty sure she does in fact worship Mary in that manner feared by Protestants. It’s clearly heretical Mariolatry. But you know what? She is pious beyond measure and is faithful to God much more than I am and believes in God’s presence in her life, full of tragedies much more than I do in my life of relative wealth, health and material possessions. She is holy. She loves God and it shows in her face, in life and even the way she walks. I don’t think God cares one whit about her unorthodoxy. We should all be so unorthodox.
3. National Catholic Register or National Catholic Reporter?
I don’t read either one. I believe both are apologetic in the pejorative sense, as that term is used here.
4. Active in your parish?
I’m an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister. I have served as EME for 4 years. I stress the first E - “extraordinary”- this ministry should continue only while there’s a priest shortage. When that shortage disappears, the ministry should end. I also think that four years is too long in that ministry. I currently feel unworthy and not holy enough to continue in this ministry and will be resigning to serve in another ministry, probably usher, soon.
5. Married, children?
Married to a non-Catholic, two stepsons and three sons. The stepsons are being raised Jewish, My sons are raised Catholic.
5. Devotions?
The Rosary brings me more spiritual peace than anything except Holy Communion. Our church’s Blessed Sacrament Chapel is my home away from home. When I am fearful, I say the Rosary. The Stations of the Cross remind me of the price He paid for me and I walk the outdoors stations at Church frequently during the year. I often do online Stations on a lunch break. I pray the Rosary for the souls of my family members who have died. I pray the rosary for family and friends in need of prayer. Did I mention the Rosary is an important part of my spiritual life?
7. Why the nom de plume?
I can’t talk about how Catholicism affects me without talking about the people in my life. Some bloggers are open in talking about children born out of wedlock, abortions, sexual abuse and sexual misconduct. Those matters infuse our religion and make us who we are and I admire those bloggers for doing so. I’ll talk about some of these things too, but I don’t want to invade the privacy of my family members and co-workers. Also my doubts and struggles are real and my faith is weak. I flatly often doubt God’s existence at all. (Rosary, again) Finding God when you’ve lost Him can be hard, and best done alone, I think.
8. So how do we contact you?
Email me here: [email protected]