INTROSPECTION OF CATHOLICISM TODAY

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Introspection of Catholicism Today

Anne Arnette
University of Kentucky

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The Catholic Church is one of the oldest and largest institutions in practice in our modern
world today. This unique group of followers totals to over a billion and are found across the
world (Stanford). But like any cultural epidemic, we as humans are drawn to constantly question
and interpret different cultures and beliefs that are thrust upon us. With Catholicism especially, I
am drawn to ask myself what is it that makes this culture and its people different from what I and
so many others are accustomed to. I am going to explore the aspects of the Catholic culture
through explaining what Catholicism is, how it is perceived by society, and how the practice is
applicable to life.
Catholicism is widely known as the faith and practice of the Catholic church, the word
dates back to the 1300s from the Latin word Catholics. There are many different aspects of the
question, What is Catholicism? When addressing this question it is easy to look at its followers
and judge them by their actions. But it is better to dig deep and see what these beliefs and
customs mean to them. Like any other religion, it is often thought of as a lifestyle. Father
Richard Rohr, O.F.M who was ordained to the Catholic Priesthood in 1970, addresses many
aspects of Catholicisms identity saying, Catholics tend to emphasize the similarity between
God and the world as opposed to the difference between God and creation(Rohr p.6). This
seems to be a wide belief between many branches of Christianity. While many people interpret
the Catholic religion to be strict in its views, speaking to some of its followers I realized that they
are a bit vague. When asking what is Catholicism I received two very different answers from
lifelong Catholic followers. The Holy Trinity, the Eucharist, and the Resurrection, stated by
Judy Mouch. Stated by Peg Brietenbach, Its always been a crucial portion of my life, it defines
who I am, my beliefs, my priorities, and my view of the world. The first response was more of

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what I expected from a Catholic believer, but the second seemed very different from what I
thought Catholicism was.
As a follower of the Christian faith, I had always believed that Catholicism was all about
following the rules, while I was taught to focus on the relationship. As any other believer of a
particular faith, I strived to be the best I could be according to my beliefs. I have attended
Catholic mass before and it was drastically different from the atmosphere I am used to in church.
The Methodist church that my family attends provides both contemporary and traditional
services for the members to choose from. However, in a Catholic church, contemporary services
seem to be practically unheard of. I also attended a Christian school for 10 years and a lot of
what I believe comes from what I learned there. Like Catholics, we studied the Bible as well as
other books written by Christians. These books taught various ways of coping with what was
going on in my life and gave me something to believe in. It seems to me that Catholics go about
choosing Catholicism the same way, which is making a lifelong commitment to something that
you believe and put your full heart into.
As Americans, we are constantly surrounded by media influences such as those
represented by television and internet. Unfortunately, different religions are hit hard by the
media and press. They are practically stripped and judged of their values and beliefs. Catholicism
falls under this category of judgment. Peter W Williams, a religion and American studies
professor at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio writes about Catholicism in popular culture in his
book American Religion and Culture. Paula M Kane, associate professor of contemporary
Catholic studies at Yale University writes the chapter American Catholic Culture in the
Twentieth Century. Many Catholics have become purposeful directors and actors in various
movies and television shows. There are many programs that eagerly attempt to get the word and

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practice of this faith out, while there are also others that simply aim to mock others religious
beliefs and values. Kane says,
Occult Catholic themes of demonic possession, exorcism, miraculous cures, and stigmata
appear with regularity in television shows such as The X-Files, while detectives, cops,
and lawyers from urban Catholic backgrounds became the moral conscience of such
series as NYPD Blue and Law & Order Kane (pp. 400-401).
In my life I have seen similar judgment to my faith by the outside world. Piers, coworkers, and the world around me all seemed to have a reason to belittle me or put me down for
what I believed in. My personal beliefs were often judged on topic or abortion. Many people are
pro-choice but I am pro-life. In high school I was required to take a survey of my classmates on
their thoughts of abortion. In talking to these people I felt extreme judgment for my choice to be
pro-life, but I had to stand firm in what I believed in no matter what anyone else thought about
me. This judgment and stereotyping occurs in almost any religion in the world. Followers of
Catholicism are also often pro-life and share similar views with what I have as a Christian. I
thought it was interesting how similar Catholicism and Christianity are in this respect. In the
world we live in it is so easy for women to abort, but as believers we know that there is a purpose
for the child that has been conceived. In Catholicism and Christianity followers are both drawn
to use their beliefs to make decisions in their lives as well as moral choices.
There are many things that separate one culture from another. In religion it is often
beliefs, idols, or customs. For many years, Catholicism shared similar ideas and a bond with
Christianity. The split between the Church of Rome and Christian faiths was caused by
questioning the Popes authority and involvement as well as questioning the doctrine. While

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Catholicism still shares the belief of Jesus Christ with Christians, both of these religions believe
that they will gain eternal life by placing their trusts within their beliefs. Catholicism moves
away from other religions in its organization and teaching. The Catholic Church is organized in a
pyramid with the Pope at the top, which is then followed by cardinals, archbishops, bishops,
priests, deacons and laity. These councils are essential to decision making but all major issues
that require decision are in the hands of the Pope. The Catholic teachings, much like its
organization are very specific and true to the faith. It is heavily reliant on scripture and the
churchs traditions. According to Peter Stanford of the BBC news network there are four
doctrinal issues that the Catholic Church is firm in its position: these beliefs are in the Virgin
Mary, belief in transubstantiation, methods of contraception interfere with the purpose of sex,
and abortion being the termination of human life (Stanford).
The pyramid of power is another way that Catholicism separates itself from Christianity.
In my experience following Christianity I have never come across a person in that form of
leadership, but what I appreciate is the opportunity I have to be personally connected in
friendship with the pastors and leaders in my church. When they are not speaking they always
make themselves available to members of the congregation who need spiritual guidance in their
lives. When my parents got divorced my sophomore year of high school I was able to talk about
it with my pastor. This was helpful so that I didnt turn away from my faith and my family while
I was angry. While this relationship can be similar in some Catholic churches from what I have
observed in my life it doesnt seem to be as prevalent.
Among conducted research and interviews it was clear that Catholicisms teachings and
organizations were not the only aspects that defined it, or more importantly drew followers.
Many of the followers I spoke to were born into the religion and raised as so under their parents.

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I interviewed Peg Brietenbach and she addressed her familys role in her choice to follow
Catholicism:
Both of my parents had a very strong faith. I am one of eight children, and my father was
killed by a drunk driver when I was 11. My mother was widowed on December 17th, with
a $52.00 unemployment check to her name, and she did not have a drivers license. She
was able to overcome all of this by relying on her strong faith and her catholic
community. The result included successfully raising all eight children and a second
marriage that was a wonderful blessing to her and all of us. She believed and I believe
that despite the tragedy, it was Gods plan all along. It firmly planted in my mind that
there is always a plan- regardless of how difficult a situation looks at the time.
In Catholicism, family is a very strong aspect of the religion. It is very common for families to
attend church together. It is also the life changing moments, such as family members passing
where it is very common for the believers to rely on their faith and on one another.
In my faith, my family played a huge roll in why I am a Christian. I grew up attending
church, youth group, and mission trips. Much like the Catholic woman I interviewed I also had a
life changing experience that impacted my faith and family. When I was in fourth grade, I was
involved in a gymnastics accident and had to have emergency brain surgery in order to live. The
outcome for me did not look good and by the grace of God and the doctors at Childrens Hospital
in Cincinnati, I survived. This accident brought my whole family closer together and even
convinced my Grandmother, who is afraid of water, to get baptized. Much like Pegs position my
family had to rely on God to save me when the situation was not so bright. There were people

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praying for me all around the world, but we knew that Gods definite plan was in place. As long
as we were faithful to him, his will would be done.
In closing, Catholicism has shown to be a very life altering religion for those who choose
to follow. It is housing some of the most influential people corralling over a billion followers. Its
unique components work together to meet the needs of those who ask. It seems that is why it
attracts so many followers. In my research I have come to see that my own Christian beliefs and
that of Catholics are not all that different from one another. Certain beliefs and customs separate
us but there is still much common ground. As a believer it is comforting to know that I have
similarities with these people. Their opinions and knowledge may benefit me in the future.
Catholics are another great resource in our big world. Personally I enjoyed this process and
found it enlightening to discover facts about Catholicism. Exploring what Catholicism is, how it
is perceived by society, and how the practice is applicable to life was a great way to look deeper
and reflect on the Catholic culture.

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References
Dictonary.com. (2014). Catholic definition. Retrieved October 21 2014.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Catholic

King, E.F.(2010).Material religion and popular culture. New York:Routledge.

Rohr, R.(1994). Whats so good about Catholicism?.US Catholic,59, 6.

Schorn, J.(2004) What is traditionalist Catholicism?.US Catholic,69, 45.

Stanford, P.(June 29 2011). Introduction and the church in Britain. Retrieved October 21 2014.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/catholic/catholic_1.shtml

University of Pittsburg . (2014).Faculty Paula M Kane. October 22 2014.

http://www.religiousstudies.pitt.edu/faculty/paulamkane.php

Williams, P.W.(1999).American religion and culture.Malden:Blackwell Publishers Inc.