Navigating Faith

At RCIA last night, a conversation sparked a profound reflection within me—a conversation about identity, faith, and inclusion. A young man expressed that he didn’t consider Episcopalians to be Christians, mainly because some church decided to display a pride flag in their congregations rather than a cross. His statement left me thinking: how many LGBTQ+ couples sit in the pews of Catholic churches every Sunday? Do we consider them Christians? And more personally, what does it mean to truly walk in faith when the boundaries of sin and grace are so intricately woven together? In the wake of that exchange, I found myself ordering a rainbow rosary and a pride bracelet as a tangible act of solidarity and reflection. It wasn’t just about an accessory or a statement—it was about my faith, my identity, and how I reconcile the love that Christ offers with the complexities of human experience. As Christians, we know we are called to love, to reflect Christ's grace and compassion, even as we...

The question of why I haven’t joined the Catholic Church this year has been one I’ve been grappling with lately. It’s not an easy question to answer, and when I was asked, I found myself pausing to think long and hard about it. What has stopped me from joining the Church? Why, after all the study, the prayer, and the deep dive into Catholic theology, have I held back? In many ways, my journey into the Catholic Church was one filled with trepidation but also hope. When I started RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) — now known as OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) — I walked into the room with an open mind, even as I carried years of knowledge in my back pocket. I’d already read the   Catechism of the Catholic Church , the   Catechism of the Council of Trent , and many writings by Catholic apologists. In fact, my knowledge of Catholicism often exceeded that of the laity. I was already writing a blog on Catholic theology, with the permission and blessing o...

In today’s world of diverse Christian denominations, it’s not uncommon to hear the assertion that Catholics are not “true” Christians. This misunderstanding often comes from certain mainstream Protestant groups who, whether intentionally or unintentionally, exclude Catholics from the broader Christian family. But the truth is clear: Catholics are, and always have been, Christians—followers of Jesus Christ, with a deep commitment to His teachings and the traditions of His Church. In this article, we’ll navigate the complex terrain of Christian identity and explore why the claim that Catholics aren’t Christians doesn’t hold up, both historically and theologically. The Early Church: Where Christianity Began To understand why Catholics are Christians, it’s important to start at the very beginning of Christianity. The term "Christian" was first used in the ancient city of Antioch to describe the followers of Jesus (Acts 11:26). These early Christians were united by their belief in...