Sarah Mitchell
A non-practicing Catholic is someone who was raised Catholic and has stopped practicing the religion for various reasons. They may still identify as Catholic and remain one according to Catholic canon law. Non-practicing Catholics may still believe in God and the Catholic Church's teachings but choose not to attend Mass or participate in other religious activities. Some non-practicing Catholics may be cultural Catholics, belonging to historically Catholic ethnic groups. Others may be à la carte Catholics, who reject certain teachings of the Church. While some non-practicing Catholics may be considered lapsed, this term is also used to describe those who have formally defected from the Church or been excommunicated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A Catholic who is non-practicing |
| Still a Catholic? | Yes, according to Catholic canon law |
| Attendance at Church | Rare or non-existent |
| Belief in God | Yes, but may disagree with some Church teachings |
| Religious Rituals | Non-practicing, but may still pray |
| Political Views | May hold differing views to the Church |
| Reasons for Lapsing | Disappointment in the Church, personal beliefs, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
A non-practicing Catholic is still a Catholic
A non-practicing Catholic is someone who rarely or never goes to church, but who still believes in the faith. They may still identify as Catholic, and remain one according to Catholic canon law. They may also be referred to as lapsed Catholics. Some people who were raised Catholic but no longer practice the religion may still identify with the culture of Catholicism, or with a particular ethnic identity associated with Catholicism.
The Catholic Church has long recognised that its members can hold differing political positions, and that political views do not necessarily reflect a person's Catholic faith. However, some non-practicing Catholics may hold beliefs that are directly opposed to Catholic teaching.
Historically, there have been differing attitudes within the Church towards lapsed Catholics. Some held that they should never be readmitted to the Church before death, while others demanded penance before readmitting them, and others were more lenient. From 1983, a formal act of defection from the Catholic Church was recognised in the Code of Canon Law, but this was removed in 2009.
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Lapsing is not connected to a lack of belief
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 Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "lapsed" in relation to "lapsed Catholic" as "no longer believing or following the teachings of a religion". However, lapsing is not necessarily connected with a lack of belief.
Many people who are non-practicing Catholics still identify with the religion and its teachings. For some, being a lapsed Catholic is just another way of being Catholic. They may still hold Catholic beliefs and values, pray, and observe certain traditions and rituals, but they do not actively participate in church services or sacraments. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as busy schedules, disagreement with certain church teachings, or feeling disconnected from the church community.
Author Daniel Ford links being a lapsed Catholic with a rejection of Catholic teachings, either totally or by being an "à la carte Catholic". However, other sources associate the term with the abandonment of the practice of the Catholic religion rather than with the rejection of its doctrine. The Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, for example, defines "lapsed" as "no longer involved in an activity or organization", indicating a break in practice rather than belief.
Additionally, the anthropology of Christianity has been influenced by a focus on discontinuity and rupture, which is common in evangelical, charismatic, and Pentecostal Protestant churches. In these churches, active and ongoing belief that rejects everything outside of it is central to being a Christian. In contrast, Catholicism emphasizes the indelible spiritual mark of baptism, which cannot be erased by sin or even excommunication. This highlights a key difference between Catholic and Protestant ideas of lapsing, as quoted by Richard John Neuhaus: "a Protestant typically says he is a good Protestant, while a Catholic typically says he is a bad Catholic".
Furthermore, lapsing is a complex and dynamic process that is influenced by various factors. For example, in the context of Japanese Catholicism, Maya Mayblin points out that "non-believing, religiously indifferent, and ritually disengaged Catholics retain their Catholicism, becoming lapsed Catholics". She suggests that lapsing is not simply a rupture in faith but part of a continuous and turbulent Catholic identity, mediated by translocal flows of belief and institutional authority. This perspective highlights how local and translocal experiences of Catholicism can shape the ebbs and flows of faith, with global Catholic events fostering a sense of belonging and strengthening Catholic identity.
In conclusion, while lapsing may be influenced by various factors, including belief, it is not solely connected to a lack of belief. Lapsed Catholics may still hold Catholic beliefs and values, and their non-practicing status may be due to a variety of reasons beyond a rejection of doctrine.
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Cultural Catholics
A "Cultural Catholic" is a term used to refer to a non-religious member of a historically Catholic ethnic group, such as Hungarians and Poles. Cultural Catholics are typically non-practicing Catholics who remain connected to their Catholic heritage and culture despite not actively following the religious teachings or practices of the Catholic Church.
Being a cultural Catholic does not necessarily imply a rejection of Catholic beliefs or doctrines. Some cultural Catholics may still hold certain Catholic beliefs and values, such as belief in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, while not adhering to all the practices and rituals of the Catholic faith. They may also participate in Catholic traditions and celebrations, such as attending Mass on special occasions like Christmas and Easter, without regularly engaging in other religious activities such as confession.
While cultural Catholics may not actively practice their faith, they may still find meaning and connection to their Catholic heritage. They may appreciate the sense of community, cultural traditions, and ethical values associated with Catholicism. Additionally, cultural Catholics may selectively adopt aspects of Catholic teachings that resonate with them while rejecting or ignoring those that do not align with their personal beliefs or lifestyle.
It is important to note that the term "cultural Catholic" can vary in its interpretation and application. Some individuals may identify as cultural Catholics as a way to express their cultural background without necessarily adhering to the religious aspects of Catholicism. For others, it may be a transitional phase, where they still feel a connection to their Catholic roots while exploring their beliefs and deciding whether to return to active participation in the Church.
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Lapsed Catholics are common among celebrities and politicians
A lapsed Catholic is a Catholic who is non-practicing. While they may no longer believe in or follow the teachings of the Catholic Church, they are still considered Catholic according to Catholic canon law, as baptism is a sacrament that cannot be undone. Many lapsed Catholics still identify with their Catholic roots culturally or ethnically.
Lapsed Catholics are indeed common among celebrities and politicians. Some celebrities who have been described as lapsed Catholics include Martin Scorsese, who later reaffirmed his commitment to the faith, and Sophia Loren, who described herself as a "casual Catholic" in 1971. Other celebrities who were raised Catholic but have since left the faith or become non-practicing include Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson, Lady Gaga, Steve Allen, and Janeane Garofalo.
In the political sphere, lapsed Catholics are also prevalent. For example, Michael Harrington, an American political activist, grew up Catholic but lapsed when he adopted more radical political beliefs. Similarly, Bill Keller, a former editor of The New York Times, has described himself as a "collapsed Catholic." Other politicians who were raised Catholic but have since left the faith or become non-practicing include Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark; Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia; and Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota.
The Catholic Church's stance on certain political issues, such as abortion and same-sex marriage, has led to controversies involving Catholic politicians who support abortion rights or more liberal social policies. In the United States, the issue of whether Catholic politicians who support abortion rights should be denied communion has been a subject of debate among bishops and cardinals.
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Heresy, apostasy, and schism make someone a non-Catholic
A non-practicing Catholic is someone who is Catholic but rarely or never goes to church or follows the sacraments. They may still identify as Catholic and remain one according to Catholic canon law. However, the term "non-practicing Catholic" does not necessarily imply a rejection of Catholic teachings or abandonment of the Catholic religion.
Now, according to Catholic belief, heresy, apostasy, and schism are considered crimes that can result in excommunication. These acts can indeed make someone a non-Catholic, as they involve a significant departure from the faith. Here's a breakdown of these three terms:
Heresy
Heresy is the obstinate denial or obstinate doubt after baptism of certain truths that are fundamental to the Catholic faith. It involves rejecting specific dogmas or doctrines rather than the entire Christian faith. Heresy strikes at the purity of the faith by introducing false notions about God.
Apostasy
Apostasy is considered the most severe of the three crimes. It refers to the total repudiation of the Christian faith. An apostate is someone who once identified as a Christian but has now rejected their faith entirely.
Schism
Schism is the refusal of submission to the supreme pontiff, or the Pope, or the refusal of communion with other members of the Church. It often includes heresy, as those who refuse to submit to the Pope may also deny his infallibility. Schism strikes at fraternal charity by creating an unlawful separation within the Church.
It is important to note that excommunication does not erase the sacramental character of baptism. Once someone is baptised Catholic, they are always considered Catholic, even if they are excommunicated or non-practicing. However, excommunication severs the individual's connection to the Church, barring them from receiving the Eucharist and other sacraments and from actively participating in liturgical practices.
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Frequently asked questions
A non-practicing Catholic is someone who rarely or never goes to church but was baptized and confirmed as a Catholic. They may still identify as a Catholic and remain one according to Catholic canon law.
A lapsed Catholic is a non-practicing Catholic. They may still identify as Catholic and remain one according to Catholic canon law. However, they are no longer involved in the activities of the Catholic Church.
Baptism is considered a spiritual mark of belonging to Christ in Catholic belief. It is an eternal mark that cannot be removed. Therefore, a non-practicing Catholic is still considered a member of the Catholic Church. However, they are not considered members of the "Church Triumphant," which is believed to be a community of believers in heaven.
