Joshua Bennett
Cafeteria Catholic is a derogatory term for baptised Catholics who do not follow all the teachings of the Church. Cafeteria Catholics are often criticised for their selective adherence to the Church's teachings, particularly on issues such as sexual morality, divorce, abortion, and contraception. The term is commonly used by conservative Catholics to criticise progressive Catholics. While some view being a Cafeteria Catholic as incompatible with being a good Catholic, others argue that it is impossible to fully understand and agree with every teaching. Surveys suggest that many Catholics globally disagree with certain Church teachings, and that this is more prevalent in Western countries. The concept of Cafeteria Catholicism highlights the complexities of religious faith and the challenges of adhering to all aspects of a religious doctrine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "Cafeteria Catholic" is a derogatory term for a baptized Catholic who doesn't follow all the Church's teachings, picking and choosing which teachings to follow and which to ignore. |
| Synonyms | Catholic-in-name-only (CINO), dissident Catholic, heretical Catholic, cultural Catholic/Christian, à la carte Catholic, liberal Catholic |
| Prevalence | A 2014 World Values Survey of 12,038 self-identified Catholics in 12 countries found that majorities of Catholics globally and in most regions disagree with Church teachings on divorce, abortion, and contraception. |
| Criticism | Critics accuse Cafeteria Catholics of being "bad Catholics" and not being "good Catholics". Pope John Paul II criticized the practice of Cafeteria Catholicism, stating that it challenges the teaching of Bishops. |
| Defense | Some argue that it is impossible to know, fully understand, and agree with every teaching of the Catholic Church, and that faith is a lifelong journey of struggle and self-reflection. |
| Notable Examples | Politician James Carville, author Mary Karr, and former U.S. President Joe Biden have been described as Cafeteria Catholics. |
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What You'll Learn
- Cafeteria Catholicism is a derogatory term for those who pick and choose teachings
- Pope John Paul II criticised those who deny the Church's sexual morality
- Cafeteria Catholics are often criticised by conservative Catholics
- Some Cafeteria Catholics are products of bad catechesis
- Some Cafeteria Catholics are criticised for ignoring Christ's teachings
Cafeteria Catholicism is a derogatory term for those who pick and choose teachings
"Cafeteria Catholic" is a derogatory term used to describe a baptised Catholic who does not follow all the teachings of the Church. It is often used by conservative Catholics to criticise progressive Catholics who pick and choose which teachings to follow. The term is synonymous with phrases such as "Catholic-in-name-only" (CINO), "dissident Catholic", "heretical Catholic", and "liberal Catholic".
The term "Cafeteria Catholic" implies that an individual chooses to follow only those teachings that are convenient or congenial to them, in the same way one might choose food from a cafeteria. This idea of selective adherence to teachings is seen by some as a threat to the authority of the Church and its bishops. Pope John Paul II, for instance, criticised the practice of Catholics being selective in their adherence to the Church's teachings, stating that this posed a "grave error".
However, the term "Cafeteria Catholic" has also been defended by some. It has been argued that it is impossible to know, fully understand, and agree with every teaching of the Catholic Church. Additionally, some Catholics may struggle with certain aspects of their belief or be unable to live up to the high standards set by the Church. In a survey conducted in 2015, 58% of respondents said they would stay in the Church but try to promote dialogue around the teachings with which they disagreed.
The term has been associated with notable Catholics such as politician James Carville and author Mary Karr, who have been described as "cafeteria Catholics" due to their dissent from certain Catholic teachings.
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Pope John Paul II criticised those who deny the Church's sexual morality
"Cafeteria Catholicism" is a term used to describe the act of picking and choosing which teachings of the Catholic Church to follow and which to ignore. The term is often used by conservative Catholics to criticise more progressive Catholics. Pope John Paul II criticised those who deny the Church's sexual morality in a talk to Bishops in Los Angeles in 1987. He stated that many Catholics do not adhere to the Church's teachings on sexual and conjugal morality, divorce, remarriage, and abortion. The Pope claimed that this selective adherence to the Church's teachings was a "grave error" that challenged the teachings of Bishops in the United States and elsewhere.
John Paul II's defence of the Church's teachings on gender roles, sexuality, euthanasia, artificial contraception, and abortion has been criticised by some. Christian feminists have challenged his views on the role of women in society, including his opposition to the ordination of women. The Pope's legacy has been described as inconsistent, particularly regarding his teaching and actions on the dignity of women. While he supported the inclusion of women in decision-making roles in secular governments, he did not advocate for the same within the Church.
John Paul II has also been criticised for his handling of the Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal. Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) have accused him of failing to respond appropriately to the crisis. In 2002, the Pope wrote that "there is no place in the priesthood and religious life for those who would harm the young". However, critics argue that he hindered the investigation into charges of sexual immorality levelled against Father Marcial Maciel Degollado.
The Pope was also criticised for recentralising power back to the Vatican, leading some to view him as a strict authoritarian. Additionally, his frequent foreign travel was seen as taking away from important business at the Vatican. John Paul II was also denounced for his conservative bias in appointing bishops, particularly in South America.
In conclusion, Pope John Paul II's criticism of those who deny the Church's sexual morality is part of his broader defence of traditional Catholic teachings on issues such as gender roles, sexuality, and abortion. While he has been praised for his strong stances in certain areas, such as his denunciation of dictatorial regimes, he has also faced significant criticism for his positions on women's roles and his handling of sexual abuse scandals within the Church.
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Cafeteria Catholics are often criticised by conservative Catholics
"Cafeteria Catholicism" is a term used to describe baptised Catholics who do not adhere to all the teachings of the Church, instead choosing which teachings to follow and which to ignore. This is often associated with progressive Catholics, who are criticised by conservative Catholics for their selective belief system.
The term "Cafeteria Catholic" has been used to describe prominent figures such as former US President Joe Biden and Democrat politician James Carville. Biden was accused by Cardinal Wilton Gregory of being a Cafeteria Catholic, stating that he "picks and chooses dimensions of the faith to highlight while ignoring or even contradicting other parts". James Carville, self-described as a Cafeteria Catholic, responded to the criticism by stating that "Everybody in some way or another takes what they want. The real thing is how we treat each other".
Some Cafeteria Catholics are the product of bad catechesis, where they are simply not aware of certain teachings or have not heard them presented in a coherent and persuasive way. Others, like Rea Nola Martin, are well-versed in the Bible and the teachings of the Church but still choose to disagree with certain teachings.
While conservative Catholics criticise Cafeteria Catholics for their selective belief system, it is important to note that many Catholics around the world disagree with certain Church teachings, particularly on divorce, abortion, and contraception. A survey of 12,038 self-identified Catholics in 12 countries found that majorities of Catholics globally and in most regions disagreed with these teachings, with greater intra- and inter-national divisions on gay marriage and the ordination of women.
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Some Cafeteria Catholics are products of bad catechesis
The term "Cafeteria Catholic" is used to describe a baptised Catholic who does not adhere to all the teachings of the Church, instead choosing which teachings to follow and which to ignore. The term is often used by conservative Catholics to criticise more progressive Catholics.
The issue of Cafeteria Catholics is not a new one. A 2014 World Values Survey of 12,038 self-identified Catholics in 12 countries found that majorities of Catholics globally and in most regions disagree with Church teachings on divorce, abortion, and contraception. There is greater intra- and international division on gay marriage and the ordination of women and divorced men. The survey also found that favourable views of the Pope did not influence Catholics who disagreed with certain Church teachings.
The existence of Cafeteria Catholics has led to debates within the Catholic Church. Some argue that it is not possible to know, fully understand, and agree with every teaching of the Catholic Church. As such, they advocate for a more inclusive Church that welcomes those who seek spiritual nourishment, community, and respite from their worries, without judging their beliefs. On the other hand, passionate traditionalists believe that those who do not give their full assent to every teaching of the Catholic Church should be denounced and told to leave.
Ultimately, the term "Cafeteria Catholic" is a derogatory label that implies that one is a ''bad Catholic'. However, it is important to recognise that faith is a lifelong journey, and it is natural to struggle with certain aspects of one's belief or to be unable to live up to the high standards set by the Church.
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Some Cafeteria Catholics are criticised for ignoring Christ's teachings
"Cafeteria Catholics" are baptised Catholics who do not embrace all of the Church's teachings. They are often criticised by conservative Catholics for their selective adherence to Church doctrine, particularly on issues such as abortion, divorce, and the ordination of women. This criticism holds that by ignoring Christ's teachings, Cafeteria Catholics are not "good Catholics".
The term "Cafeteria Catholic" is used derogatorily to describe those who observe only those teachings of the Church that they find congenial. It is often used by conservative Catholics to criticise progressive Catholics. The term has been in use since at least 1976, when the Church issued Humanae Vitae, an official document opposing artificial birth control.
Some Cafeteria Catholics are criticised for their selective adherence to the Church's teachings on sexual morality, including abortion and divorce. This criticism holds that Cafeteria Catholics are ignoring the clear position of the Church on these issues, as well as the teaching of Christ.
In defence of Cafeteria Catholics, it has been argued that faith is a lifelong journey, and that struggling with certain aspects of belief or practice is natural. It has also been suggested that the Church should be more inclusive and welcoming, like a cafeteria, rather than an exclusive club.
Some notable Catholics have been associated with the term, including Democrat politician James Carville, who has said, "Everybody in some way or another takes what they want. The real thing is how we treat each other." Author Mary Karr, a convert from agnosticism, is also a self-described Cafeteria Catholic. She is pro-choice on abortion and supports the ordination of women to the priesthood.
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Frequently asked questions
A cafeteria Catholic is a baptised Catholic who doesn't follow all the teachings of the Church. They pick and choose which teachings to follow, like choosing food from a cafeteria.
The term "cafeteria Catholic" is often used as a derogatory term by conservative Catholics to criticise progressive Catholics. However, some people embrace the label as a positive self-identification. Many people struggle with certain aspects of their beliefs or are unable to live up to the high standards set by the Church. It is not possible to fully understand and agree with every teaching of the Catholic Church.
A survey of 12,038 self-identified Catholics in 12 countries found that majorities of Catholics globally disagree with Church teachings on divorce, abortion, and contraception. There is also division on gay marriage and the ordination of women.
