Joshua Bennett
Non-practicing Catholics are often referred to as lapsed Catholics. This term is used to describe those who were raised Catholic or received Catholic sacraments such as baptism and confirmation but no longer actively practice the faith. While they may not attend Mass or participate in other Catholic rituals, they are still considered Catholics according to Catholic canon law. Some non-practicing Catholics may still identify as culturally Catholic and hold beliefs in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Others may disagree with certain Catholic social teachings or be critical of the Church's stance on certain issues. The term lapsed Catholic does not necessarily imply a rejection of Catholic doctrine but rather a distance from active participation in the Church and its practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colloquial name | Cultural Catholics, CEO Catholics, A&P Catholics, Creasters, Cafeteria Catholics |
| Formal name | Lapsed Catholics |
| Definition | Baptized Catholics who do not practice the faith, i.e., do not go to Mass or receive the sacraments |
| Reason for lapse | Work schedule conflicts, rejection of Catholic teaching, or abandonment of practice |
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What You'll Learn
Baptized but non-practicing
A lapsed Catholic is a Catholic who is non-practicing. They may still identify as Catholic and remain one according to Catholic canon law. The term "lapsed" is defined as "no longer believing or following the teachings of a religion". However, lapsing is not necessarily connected to a lack of belief. Some lapsed Catholics may still attend Mass on special occasions like Christmas and Easter. Colloquially, they are sometimes derogatorily referred to as Cultural Catholics, CEO Catholics ("Christmas and Easter Only"), or A&P Catholics (for Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday).
The Catholic Church considers baptism to be a seal of "indelible spiritual mark of belonging to Christ". This means that even if a person sins or is excommunicated, they are still considered Catholic. There is no penalty for lapsed Catholics in the 1983 Code of Canon Law, and they are not automatically excommunicated. However, excommunicated persons are cut off from the Church and barred from receiving the Eucharist and other sacraments or taking an active part in the liturgy.
Some people who are non-practicing Catholics may still want to baptize their children in the Catholic Church. This has led to some debate, as priests may require parents to attend Mass regularly before agreeing to baptize their child. Some priests may be more lenient than others, and there is no set rule for this.
In summary, baptized but non-practicing Catholics are still considered Catholics according to Catholic doctrine. They may be referred to as lapsed Catholics and may face some barriers to participating in certain sacraments if they are not actively practicing. The decision to baptize children of non-practicing Catholics is at the discretion of the priest and may depend on the parents' willingness to attend Mass regularly.
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Lapsed Catholics
The term "lapsed Catholics" refers to those who were baptized and raised in the Catholic faith but no longer actively practice it. This could mean that they do not attend Mass regularly, do not receive the sacraments, or do not follow the teachings and laws of the Catholic Church. However, it is important to note that being lapsed is not necessarily connected to a lack of belief. Some lapsed Catholics may still hold Catholic beliefs but do not actively engage in the religious practices.
The Catholic Church does not have a specific term for those who have left the faith or become non-practicing. Some people may refer to them as “ex-Catholics," but this term is not widely accepted within the Church, as baptism and confirmation are considered indelible spiritual marks that cannot be undone. Instead, the more common and polite term is "lapsed Catholics," indicating that they were once practicing but have since moved away from the active practice of the faith.
The reasons for lapsing can vary and may include factors such as work commitments, as illustrated in an example of a person whose work schedule conflicted with the timing of local parish masses. Other reasons could be a lack of proper catechism, personal beliefs, or outside events that lead them away from their faith. Regardless of the reason, the Catholic Church encourages ministering to lapsed Catholics and bringing them back to the faith.
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Excommunication
The term "non-practicing Catholic" is used to describe someone who was raised in the Catholic faith and received sacraments such as baptism and confirmation but does not actively practice the religion in adulthood. They may occasionally attend Mass on special occasions like Christmas and Easter. Colloquial terms for such Catholics include "Cultural Catholics", "CEO Catholics" (for "Christmas and Easter Only"), and "A&P Catholics" (for Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday).
Non-practicing Catholics should be distinguished from "lapsed Catholics", who have abandoned the practice of Catholicism and may or may not reject its doctrines. The Catholic Church does not impose a penalty for lapsed Catholics beyond recommending penance and reconciliation.
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Independent Catholicism
The movement is characterised by the formation of "micro-churches" that claim apostolic succession and valid sacraments. These micro-churches often closely align with the structures, beliefs, and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, but they also reject certain traditional Catholic teachings. For example, some Independent Catholic churches welcome and ordain LGBTQ+ individuals as bishops, priests, and deacons.
The roots of Independent Catholicism can be traced back to the 19th century, when many Austro-Hungarian, German, and Swiss Catholics rejected the Vatican Council's assertions of papal infallibility and universal jurisdiction of the pope. Inspired by the earlier acts of the Church of Utrecht, bishops from these regions left the Roman Catholic Church to establish their own independent churches. These bishops, sometimes referred to as autocephalous or self-governing, could claim apostolic succession and continued to ordain priests and deacons, perpetuating their lines of succession.
In the 20th century, Joseph René Vilatte, an Old Catholic priest from Switzerland, brought the movement to North America. He travelled to India in 1892, where he was consecrated by Mar Julius I of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. In 1915, Vilatte founded the American Catholic Church, which still exists today. During his lifetime, Vilatte consecrated numerous individuals, becoming the "episcopal ancestor" of a diverse range of descendants in North America.
Another notable figure in the history of Independent Catholicism is Emmanuel Milingo, who served as the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Lusaka, Zambia, from 1969 to 1983. Milingo departed from the Catholic Church due to disagreements over faith healing and clerical celibacy. He went on to found "Married Priests Now!" and consecrated four married priests as bishops, further expanding the reach of Independent Catholicism.
While the exact number of adherents to Independent Catholicism is challenging to determine due to the dynamic and evolving nature of the movement, it has gained traction among those seeking an alternative way to express their Catholic faith outside the confines of the Roman Catholic Church.
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Apostasy
The term "apostasy" has specific meanings within Catholic doctrine:
- Apostasy a Fide or Perfidia: This refers to when a Christian completely abandons their faith, whether by embracing another religion or adopting secular beliefs like Naturalism or Rationalism.
- Apostasy ab Ordine: This occurs when a cleric or religious leader abandons their ecclesiastical position or the religious life.
- Apostasy a Religione, or Monachatus: This involves a religious individual leaving their religious life or community.
It is important to distinguish between "lapsed Catholics" and those who have formally apostatized. A lapsed Catholic may refer to someone who was raised Catholic and still identifies with the faith but does not actively practice its teachings or attend Mass regularly. Lapsing does not necessarily indicate a rejection of Catholic doctrine but may be due to practical reasons, as illustrated in the example of a person whose work schedule conflicts with Mass times. Lapsed Catholics may still attend Mass on special occasions like Christmas and Easter, and they are colloquially referred to as "Cultural Catholics" or "CEO Catholics" (Christmas and Easter Only).
In contrast, apostasy signifies a deliberate and voluntary rejection of the Catholic faith, which is considered a grave sin in Catholic belief. While the Code of Canon Law of 1918 declared that apostates were to be excommunicated and deprived of certain rights and positions, the 1983 Code of Canon Law does not specify any particular penalty for lapsed Catholics. It merely recommends penance and reconciliation.
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Frequently asked questions
Non-practicing Catholics are referred to as lapsed Catholics. They may still identify as Catholics and remain ones according to Catholic canon law.
A lapsed Catholic is someone who is baptized but rarely or never goes to church or partakes in sacraments. They may still identify as Catholic and believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Some slang terms for non-practicing Catholics include "Creasters" or "Christmas and Easter Catholics" and "Cafeteria Catholics" for those who selectively follow Catholic teachings.
