Catholicism is a rich and diverse reality. It is a Christian tradition, a way of life and a community. Over a billion people world wide identify as Catholics. While united through sacramental bonds especially through baptism and the eucharist, these Catholics interpret various teachings of the church in different ways. In this they are no different than early Christians, such as Peter and Paul, who fought vigorously about many matters of faith and morals.  Good and faithful Catholics disagree on almost every issue that confronts us in the modern world, from the death penalty and nuclear war to how to end poverty and certainly on questions of personal morality.

The deep struggle that many Catholics experience as they seek to reconcile their lives, relationships and values with church pronouncements is to be respected. In recent years, conflicting views of what it means to be Catholic have been dominant in not only the media but among Catholics themselves.

Indeed to grapple with moral dilemmas and seek answers based on faith, reason and charity are the hallmarks of enlightened Catholicism.  Many resources exist for those who seek to define their own Catholicism and for those who want to understand this rich and complex tradition.

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Fr. Richard P. McBrien, Catholicism, HarperCollins: New York, 1994, p.3.