What is an Evangelical Catholic?

Posted on August 16, 2024 by Father Joe

I recently responded to a query from a young man preparing for reception into the Catholic Church. He comes from an Evangelical background and has yet to tell his family. Given that his baptism is recognized by the Catholic Church, I urged him to find a priest to serve as his spiritual director and confessor. As opposed to the “once saved, always saved” mentality I also urged a spirit of repentance and regular recourse to the act of contrition prayer. Often such candidates struggle with a sense of betrayal to their former religious sect and to those who introduced them to faith in Christ. There is a hesitance to announce what is going on. But ultimately courage must prevail, and others must know. If the family practices a strong Protestant faith, then questions will immediately follow, along with efforts to dissuade. That means the candidate must be prepared with the reasons for his “continuing conversion” and be ready to accept the consequences. Instead of enmity, the new Catholic should always show respect and gratitude to those family, friends, and ministers, who first introduced him to a saving faith and love of Jesus Christ. Becoming a Catholic should be understood, not as a betrayal or simple rejection of faith, but rather as a continuation of one’s religious journey.

Since a person cannot be baptized twice, the inquirer makes an act of reception, is anointed with chrism (Confirmation) and receives Holy Communion at Mass. Here in the United States, many Evangelicals have become Catholic, merging in a sense the best characteristics of both. What does it mean to be an Evangelical Catholic. The trailblazer for this was the late Father Richard John Neuhaus. His conversion from Lutheranism came in the context of the vibrant papacy of Pope St. John Paul II.

What are the essential characteristics?

First, while acknowledging the backdrop of Sacred Tradition, the committed Catholic exhibits a strong evangelical spirit regarding Sacred Scripture. We must both know the truths of the Bible and be willing to share them. The Catholic Church claims ownership of the Scriptures. She inherited the Hebrew Scriptures and later collected and agreed upon the New Testament canon. The Church is the Mother of the Bible.

Second, in proclamation of the Word and in the celebration of the sacraments, we must always focus upon the Paschal Mystery. This mystery is defined as the passion, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Jesus is the one Savior. His is the saving name. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. None come to the Father but through him.

Third, we are called both to a personal and a corporate or communal faith in the Lord. Jesus is the ultimate term of salvation. Saving faith in Christ is defined by loving obedience. Conversion must be real. Even if baptized as a child, we must own our faith and pursue a genuine relationship with the risen Christ.

Fourth, we must be dedicated to what Pope Francis calls the New Evangelization. In truth it is very old, but believers have become complacent. One cannot truly possess the faith or the Gospel unless there is a deep commitment to give it away. A failure to share faith is a failure to love. We must proclaim the Good News to friends, family, and even enemies (and thus make them friends).