‘Practicing Catholic’ label divides more than it defines

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‘Practicing Catholic’ label divides more than it defines

Religious commitment is more than a label, raising questions about how faith is defined, measured and lived each day.

By Julie A. Ferraro | FāVS News Columnist

The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News. 

The idea of waking up each morning, grabbing a bite of breakfast and going to work is pretty standard for most adults. With younger folk, substitute “school” for “work.” 

Much of my work over nearly five decades has involved using words to engage and inform readers. Thus, I am very conscious of words when I hear them or see them in print.

Certain words stand out for me, intrigue me, even frustrate me.

Falling into the latter category is the word “practicing” — as in “practicing Catholic.”

What’s in a word?

The use of this word as an adjective to describe someone affiliated with a given religion smacks of being a bit derogatory — to me, anyway — as if a person isn’t really Catholic (or, insert specific religion here) unless they are “practicing.”

Just what does it mean to be a “practicing Catholic” anyway? Does it mean attending Mass each Sunday, or is there more involved? Does it include participating in the daily Mass, or reciting the rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) or the contents of a certain book of prayers?

Is being involved in parish ministry — whether as a musician, lector, altar server, food pantry, visiting the sick, etc. — included in this designation? 

Admittedly, much of the meaning behind “practicing Catholic” depends on who is using the term. The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., for instance, defines a “practicing Catholic” based on more than just “self-identification” (another term I don’t like). 

Besides quantifying how often a Catholic attends Mass, additional terms like “strong” or “active” are used. Those Catholics who are deemed “non-practicing” rarely or never attend Mass.

Does that mean they are any less faith-filled than their “practicing” peers?

No!

When will humans get it through their heads that labeling others only causes division and friction, and encourages a tendency toward oft-erroneous judgment?

If we remember how Jesus pointed out Pharisees who “practiced” — or made a show of — observing Jewish law while being hypocrites in their hearts, cannot the same apply in modern times?

I’ve lost count of the times when, on the front steps of the parish church after Sunday Mass, I heard women carping about what others wore to Mass, their hair styles and worse.

Isn’t “practicing” one’s faith, if the word must be used, about consistently striving to integrate the virtues of humility, patience, kindness — all those listed by St. Paul — into one’s life?

Perhaps those who create surveys or write about religion should rethink how they use the term.

Doctors in the same boat

To go one step further: Another use of “practicing” that bothers me is when it refers to physicians. Doctors have their “practice” or are “practicing medicine.” The connotation that they don’t quite know enough to be skilled at their chosen profession, and have to “practice” — or, to use another variation, “experiment” — is, to be honest, quite frightening.

Human beings must trust these individuals with their very lives, whether being treated for a deep scrape that requires stitches, or more serious diseases. If the general practitioner (again that word!) or specialist fails to impart the needed information about the condition, whatever treatment is provided may be in vain, with the results catastrophic.

Being a Catholic — or a physician — automatically implies an ongoing journey, further exploration of the area of study. For Catholics, this might mean joining a small faith community that gathers for lectio divina — sacred reading — on a set schedule, or volunteering at a homeless shelter to offer job skills training. 

For doctors, it means a continuous cycle of education and learning by experience, to ensure their patients receive the best care possible, rather than being rushed through a system focused on money.

Having to justify one’s status with the term “practicing” should be unnecessary.

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