Rachel Evans
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 still identify as Catholic. This term is not usually used to describe Protestants, who would simply say that they are no longer Christian. For many, being a lapsed Catholic is just another way of being Catholic. The Catholic Church has tried to address this phenomenon by encouraging heroic Catholic living and zealous Catholic re-evangelization to win lapsed Catholics back.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A Catholic who is non-practicing. |
| Religious Identity | A lapsed Catholic may still identify as Catholic. |
| Religious Practice | A lapsed Catholic may stop going to Mass or only attend on special occasions like Christmas and Easter. |
| Religious Belief | A lapsed Catholic may no longer believe in or follow Catholic teachings, or they may reject Catholic doctrine while still identifying with the religion. |
| Excommunication | A lapsed Catholic who becomes an apostate, heretic, or schismatic is automatically excommunicated until they are granted permission to rejoin. |
| Re-Evangelization | Some Catholics advocate for zealous re-evangelization to bring lapsed Catholics back to the Church. |
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What You'll Learn
- Lapsed Catholics are still considered Catholics according to Catholic canon law
- Protestants rarely refer to themselves as lapsed or non-practicing
- Lapsed Catholics are colloquially referred to as 'Cultural Catholics' or 'CEO Catholics'
- Lapsed Catholics can be won back to the Church through zealous Catholic re-evangelization
- Lapsed Catholics can be the best teachers
Lapsed Catholics are still considered Catholics according to Catholic canon law
A lapsed Catholic is a Catholic who is non-practicing. They may still identify as Catholic and are considered 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, this lapsing is not necessarily connected to a lack of belief. Some lapsed Catholics may still attend Mass on special occasions like Christmas and Easter. These Catholics are often referred to as Cultural Catholics, CEO Catholics ("Christmas and Easter Only"), or A&P Catholics (for Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday).
According to Catholic belief, baptism "seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark of belonging to Christ". No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents baptism from bearing the fruits of salvation. Even excommunication does not erase this sacramental character of baptism. However, excommunicated persons are "cut off from the Church", barred from receiving the Eucharist and all other sacraments, and from taking an active part in the liturgy.
The 1983 Code of Canon Law does not lay down any particular penalty for a lapse in one's religious duties as a Catholic, such as failure to attend Sunday Mass or failure to receive Communion during Eastertide. The Code only recommends penance and reconciliation. This means that an individual who was baptised Catholic can choose to completely ignore the Catholic Church's laws and ideas without disclosing their personal views or beliefs. As a result, a person can lapse into becoming an apostate without facing any obvious consequences or automatic excommunication.
Different attitudes have developed within the Church towards the lapsed. Some believe they should never be readmitted to the Church before death, while others are more lenient and only demand serious penance before readmitting them. From 1983 to 2009, a formal act of defection from the Catholic Church was recognised in the Code of Canon Law, making defectors ineligible for the privileges of membership, such as marrying in a church. However, this form of defection was removed from the Code in 2009.
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Protestants rarely refer to themselves as lapsed or 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. However, they are no longer involved in the activities of the Catholic Church and do not follow its rules and practices. Some lapsed Catholics attend Mass on special occasions like Christmas and Easter and are referred to as Cultural Catholics, CEO Catholics ("Christmas and Easter Only"), or A&P Catholics (for Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday).
The concept of being a "lapsed" member of a religion is particularly associated with Catholicism. Protestants rarely refer to themselves as lapsed or non-practicing. This may be due to several factors. Firstly, Catholicism has many cultural markers, and those who are not practicing still identify with the culture and community of Catholicism. They may also have been baptized Catholic, which, according to Catholic belief, "seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark of belonging to Christ," even if they no longer actively practice the religion.
Secondly, the term "lapsed" implies a falling away or slipping, which suggests a more fluid or flexible relationship with religion. Catholicism allows for this idea of being a "'bad Catholic' or a lapsed Catholic, which is seen as just another way of being Catholic. In contrast, Protestantism may be viewed as more binary, where one is either a practicing Protestant or not a Protestant at all.
Additionally, the structure and beliefs of the Catholic Church contribute to the concept of being lapsed. The Catholic Church has specific teachings and practices that members are expected to follow, such as weekly Mass attendance and confession. Deviating from these practices can be seen as a lapse. The Catholic Church also has a formal process for defection, which was recognized in the 1983 Code of Canon Law, although it was removed in 2009.
Finally, social science surveys have found that individuals who were once Protestant but are no longer actively practicing are more likely to report having no religious affiliation, while those who were once Catholic but are no longer practicing are more likely to still identify as Catholic. This suggests that there is a stronger sense of religious identity and community within Catholicism that persists even when individuals are not actively practicing.
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Lapsed Catholics are colloquially referred to as 'Cultural Catholics' or 'CEO Catholics'
A lapsed Catholic is a Catholic who is non-practicing. While they may no longer believe in or follow the teachings of Catholicism, they still identify as Catholic and are considered Catholic according to Catholic canon law. The term "lapsed" in this context implies a falling away from the Church, but not a complete severance of the connection. Many lapsed Catholics still feel they can return to the Church, and some continue to attend Mass on special occasions like Christmas and Easter.
Lapsed Catholics are colloquially referred to as Cultural Catholics or CEO Catholics ("Christmas and Easter Only"). This term is sometimes used derogatorily, as it implies a lack of commitment to the faith. However, it also highlights the unique relationship that many lapsed Catholics have with the Church. They may no longer actively practice the religion, but they still feel a sense of connection and community with other Catholics. This is often due to the cultural markers and traditions associated with Catholicism that are deeply ingrained in their lives and identities.
The Catholic Church has recognized the significant number of lapsed Catholics and has made efforts to understand why people are leaving and how to bring them back to the faith. Some within the Church advocate for zealous Catholic re-evangelization, encouraging practicing Catholics to deepen their faith and reach out to those who have lapsed. Others suggest that the Church should focus on understanding the reasons behind the phenomenon of lapsed Catholics and frame the discussion around social scientific accuracy.
Lapsed Catholics themselves have varying relationships with the Church. Some may completely ignore the Catholic Church's laws and ideas, while others may still attend Mass occasionally or feel a sense of pilgrimage and connection to God. Despite their differences, lapsed Catholics can be some of our best teachers, offering unique perspectives and contributions to art, culture, and society that are irreversibly shaped by their Catholic upbringings.
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Lapsed Catholics can be won back to the Church through zealous Catholic re-evangelization
The first step is to understand why people are leaving the Church. By conducting surveys and exit interviews, the Church can gain valuable insights into the reasons behind the lapse in faith. This information can then be used to develop strategies to address these issues and prevent further departures.
Zealous Catholic re-evangelization involves living a heroic Catholic life, practicing extraordinary virtue, and remaining steadfast in one's faith, even in the face of opposition or indifference from others. It is about being proud of one's Catholic identity and actively sharing one's beliefs with others.
Lapsed Catholics themselves can play a crucial role in this process. They have unique perspectives and experiences that can help the Church understand the challenges and obstacles faced by those who have drifted away from their religious practices. By sharing their stories and insights, lapsed Catholics can become powerful agents of re-evangelization, reaching out to those who may be struggling with similar doubts or difficulties.
Additionally, the Church can create opportunities for dialogue and reasonable discussion through platforms like r/Catholicism on Reddit. These forums allow individuals from all beliefs to engage in respectful conversations, ask questions, and explore their spirituality. By fostering an environment of openness and acceptance, the Church can attract those who are seeking spiritual guidance and connection.
In conclusion, winning lapsed Catholics back to the Church requires a concerted effort from both the Catholic community and individuals with a strong Catholic faith. By living heroic Catholic lives, engaging in open dialogue, and actively sharing their beliefs, Catholics can effectively re-evangelize those who have drifted away from the Church.
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Lapsed Catholics can be the best teachers
Lapsed Catholics often still identify as Catholic, even if they no longer believe or follow the teachings. This is because Catholicism is deeply ingrained in their upbringing and identity, and it can be hard to shake off completely. This means that lapsed Catholics have a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to Catholicism, which can be incredibly insightful for those who are still practicing or learning about the faith.
Additionally, lapsed Catholics can offer a critical perspective on the Church and its teachings. They may have left the Church due to frustrations or disagreements with its doctrines or practices, and their reasons for leaving can be informative for those still inside. By examining the reasons for their departure, the Church can identify areas for improvement and make changes to prevent others from leaving.
Furthermore, lapsed Catholics can provide a unique artistic viewpoint. Many artists who were raised Catholic but no longer practice still bear the stamp of their religious imagination in their work. This sensibility can be subtle, but it is there, and it adds a layer of depth and intrigue to their art. By engaging with the mystery of God and the Catholic faith, lapsed Catholic artists can create powerful and thought-provoking works that speak to a wide audience, both Catholic and non-Catholic.
Finally, lapsed Catholics can serve as a reminder that faith is a personal journey, and that it is okay to question and struggle. Even if someone has walked away from the Church, they may still be on a spiritual journey, and their experiences can teach us that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to faith. By sharing their stories, lapsed Catholics can help others feel less alone in their own faith struggles and encourage a more inclusive and understanding religious dialogue.
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Frequently asked questions
A lapsed Catholic is a Catholic who is non-practicing. They may still identify as Catholic and remain one according to Catholic canon law.
There are many reasons why people become lapsed Catholics. Some become frustrated with the Church, while others may disagree with certain teachings. Some may simply become tired of practicing.
Some lapsed Catholics attend Mass on special occasions like Christmas and Easter. They are sometimes referred to as Cultural Catholics, CEO Catholics (Christmas and Easter Only), or A&P Catholics (for Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday).
Yes, lapsed Catholics can be readmitted to the Church. Different attitudes have developed within the Church towards the lapsed, with some demanding serious penance before readmitting them, while others are more lenient.
Some believe that the only way to restore lapsed Catholics is through the practice of heroic Catholicism by those who still believe. This means practicing extraordinary virtue and living the Catholic faith in spite of opposition or indifference from others.
