Orthodox And Heterodox Catholicism

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: I have decided to make this announcement, and I am asking all Catholics in the blogosphere to chime in and possibly help make this a new trend.

No longer will The Catholic Knight use the terms "liberal" and "conservative" in reference to how Catholics practice their religion. For some time now, I've been using the term "orthodox" (small "o") to describe Catholics with a proper approach to faith, morality and practice that is consistent with historic Church Tradition. However, I have been at a loss for how to refer to Catholics who do not have a proper approach to faith, morality and practice that is consistent with historic Church Tradition.

Recognizing that there is no such thing as "conservative" and "liberal" in Catholicism; there can be only those who are authentically Catholic and those who are not. I'm not speaking of those with occasional moral failings here, or occasional lapses of faith, but those who insist on calling themselves Catholic yet openly rebel against the historic teachings of the Church. In ages past the term "heretic" was applied to the latter. While this term may be technically accurate, it has been used so much in the pejorative, creating such visceral reactions, that it becomes extremely impractical to use it in regular conversation and writing practices.

Therefore from now on The Catholic Knight will use the slightly less inflammatory root word "heterodox" to describe those Catholics who do not have a proper approach to faith, morality and practice that is consistent with historic Church Tradition.

I think the term "orthodox Catholic" is far more descriptive of those who keep the faith. While the term "heterodox Catholic" is likewise just as descriptive of those who do not keep the faith, yet insist on calling themselves Catholic anyway. One could argue that the use of heterodox in conjunction with Catholic is an oxymoron. I would agree, but so is the use of the term liberal or cafeteria.

I'm asking for some feedback here, and I'm also asking other bloggers to help get this started as a trend. I really don't think there is a more effective way of getting the point across. Those so-called Catholics that rebel against the faith, and in effect preach another gospel, either in word or in action, are effectively in heresy, and therefore "heterodox Catholics."