Word Order
Reflections of a Catholic American
Are we Catholic Americans or American Catholics? Is there a difference? Does it matter?
‘Catholic American’ suggests that there are different types of American, as indeed there are. ‘American Catholic’ implies that there are different types of Catholic. This latter implication could be misleading.
Within Roman Catholicism it is true that throughout the world ‘accidental’ distinctions in the ways in which the faith is celebrated exist. Different cultures express their piety in various ways. The celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is quite different in Mexico City than it is in Philadelphia. However, the ‘essentials’ of the faith are universally and uniformly embraced, including dogmas, the sacraments, the creed, and the Petrine ministry, etc. Therefore, regarding the basics of the faith, an American Catholic is no different than a French, Ghanaian or Mexican Catholic.
The term ‘American Catholic’ also runs the risk of promoting the concept of autocephaly where the Church, closely aligned with national identity, considers herself autonomous of and independent of any authority other than herself. Clearly such an understanding would conflict with the first two of the four ‘marks’ of the Church, that it is ‘One’ and that it is ‘Catholic’ as in universal.
‘Catholic American’ seems to indicate a U.S. citizen who has a universal perspective whereas ‘American Catholic’ suggests someone with a more narrow outlook.
Which is preferable: to be an American Catholic or a Catholic American?
Reflections Of A Catholic American is an open-ended series of reflections of a life-long Catholic American approaching his ninth decade who has witnessed the manifestation of the faith pre and post the Second Vatican Council.
Perhaps these musings will occasionally strike a chord with a reader and provide reassurance of the solidarity we share as we journey together.