Catholic Identity Crisis: Are We Trad, Liberal, or Just Missing the Point?

by John Paul Philips

As Catholics, we often hear terms like "traditional" and "liberal" used to describe different approaches to faith within our Church. While these labels might seem helpful in categorizing beliefs and practices, they can actually create more division than unity. This tendency to label and categorize goes against the very essence of what it means to be Catholic.

The word "Catholic" itself means "universal," implying a faith that transcends boundaries and embraces all peoples. When we start dividing ourselves into subcategories like "traditional," "liberal," "charismatic," or "radical," we risk losing sight of the fundamental unity that Christ calls us to embody.

Christ's prayer for us was clear (John 17:20-23):

"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

This powerful prayer emphasizes the importance of unity among all the faithful. Christ's desire is not for us to be divided into factions, but to be united as one body in Him.

Now, it's important to distinguish between the Church's Tradition (with a capital T) and being labeled as "traditional." The Church's Tradition ensures we maintain continuity with Christ's teachings and those of the Apostles. This Tradition isn't exclusive to any group within the Church - it's infact the VERY FOUNDATION for ALL Catholics.

When we use labels like "traditional Catholic", "radical Catholic" or "liberal Catholic," we create artificial barriers. These labels can make people feel excluded or pressured to choose sides, which is antithetical to the very nature of the Church. Moreover, these divisions can distract us from our common mission as Catholics. Instead of categorizing ourselves and others, we should focus on what unites us as Catholics. We are called to be a community where:

1. Love for God and neighbor is paramount

2. The dignity of every human life, from conception to natural death, is upheld

3. Families are supported and strengthened

4. Vocations to religious life and priesthood are encouraged and prayed for

5. Reverence for the sacred is cultivated

6. God's Will takes precedence over ours

These values aren't "traditional" or "liberal" – they're CATHOLIC! They represent the heart of our faith and the path to the unity that Christ desires for us.

As we move forward in our faith journey, let's challenge ourselves to look beyond labels. When tempted to categorize fellow Catholics as "charismatic," "traditional," or "liberal," let's remember that these labels do more harm than good within the Church. Instead, let's focus on encouraging one another to live authentically as Catholics, embracing the fullness of our faith and the unity to which Christ calls us.

In doing so, we honor Jesus' prayer "that they may be one as we are one." This unity in diversity is the true hallmark of the One Catholic Church – a Church that has always been, and will always be, a home for all who seek to follow Christ.