Don´t Boast About Being a “Devout” Catholic

I wince whenever I read that someone is described as a “devout” Catholic or claims to be one. This cliché sums up the image of a groveling penitent on his or her knees, eyes raised to heaven, hands clasped to the chest in prayer and begging God for forgiveness. It confirms the arrogant atheist idea that Catholics are ignorant peasants full of fear and superstition. Maybe I´m being a bit paranoic but I don´t recall ever seeing anyone described as a “devout” Protestant.

What actually is a “devout” Catholic? Do you consider yourself one? If you do then you should be careful because “devout” is not a buzzword to be bandied about.

For example, the former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called herself a “devout Catholic” many times. This led to a rebuke from Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco who said, “No one can claim to be a devout Catholic and condone the killing of innocent human life… The right to life is a fundamental — the most fundamental – human right and Catholics do not oppose fundamental human rights.”

Former President Joe Biden is another famous American politician who claims to be a devout Catholic and constantly refers to his religion. He boasted that Pope Francis had described him as a “good Catholic” after a meeting. However, he was also blasted by a senior cleric, Archbishop Joseph Naumann, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. Like Pelosi Biden supported abortion. The Archbishop said, "The President should stop defining himself as a devout Catholic and acknowledge that his view on abortion is contrary to Catholic moral teaching. It would be a more honest approach from him to say he disagreed with his Church on this important issue and that he was acting contrary to Church teaching."

It seems that by adopting this cliché term “devout”, Catholics are falling into a morality trap that can show them up as being inconsistent and smug or just plain hypocritical. It is interesting to note that the Vatican has not defined what a devout Catholic is. To do so, would imply that some Catholics are “holier” than others, i.e. there is an elect group within our global community of 1.4 billion souls. This does not mean that certain Catholics are not morally superior in their attitudes and lifestyles and due recognition. There certainly are and these individuals have become and can become saints.

On the other hand, the Vatican has laid down requirements to be a practicing Catholic. These include the activities that I imagine most readers of this site do without thinking i.e. going to mass regularly, sometimes daily, making a sincere confession and penance, receiving the Eucharist, praying individually and communally, following Church doctrine, practicing self denial, particularly at Lent, setting a good example by leading a moral life and raising their children in the faith. Feeling close to Jesus and making him a part of daily life is also important as well as striving to achieve a state of grace and remain in it.

If we do this with all our force then we can truly say we are “devout” Catholics but let´s not boast about it certainly not in a clichéd way.