Evangelical Catholicism refers to a movement within Catholicism that emphasizes having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, sharing the gospel message, and upholding biblical authority. While remaining faithful to Catholic doctrine and tradition, evangelical Catholics focus on the core tenets of Christianity found in Scripture.
Core Beliefs and Characteristics
Some key beliefs and characteristics of evangelical Catholicism include:
- Emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus – Knowing Christ personally, not just knowing about Him, is crucial. There is a focus on having a “born again” experience.
- Commitment to evangelism and mission – Evangelical Catholics actively share their faith and believe every Christian is called to evangelize.
- Biblical authority – The Bible is viewed as the sole inspired and infallible Word of God. Its teachings are authoritative for all matters of faith and practice.
- Salvation through grace – Salvation is achieved by grace through faith in Christ, not through good works. However, good works are still emphasized as evidence of true faith.
- Holy Spirit empowerment – The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live godly lives and gives gifts for ministry. There is an openness to expressions like speaking in tongues.
- Renewal movements – Evangelical Catholics are drawn to movements that aim to renew and revive the church, inspiring deeper conversion and holiness.
- Traditional worship – Most evangelical Catholics embrace traditional Catholic liturgy and sacraments, but may also incorporate contemporary Christian music.
- Social action – There is strong engagement in social justice issues like protecting life, aiding the poor, and advancing human rights and religious liberty.
- Ecumenism – While fully Catholic, there is a desire for greater unity with other Christians, especially on evangelism and moral causes.
In summary, evangelical Catholicism adheres to Catholic teaching but is characterized by an emphasis on personal spirituality, evangelization, biblical authority, and experiencing the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
Historical Origins
Evangelical Catholicism has its roots in multiple sources over the last few centuries:
- Post-Reformation Catholic revival movements – In response to the Protestant Reformation, some Catholics stressed renewal through personal holiness, prayer, and evangelistic zeal.
- 19th century evangelical revivals – Some Catholic clergy and laity were impacted by revivals linked to evangelical Protestants. This sparked Catholic counterparts like retreats and parish missions.
- 20th century Pentecostal movement – Exposure to Pentecostal spirituality brought greater openness to gifts like speaking in tongues, healing, and prophecy.
- Influence of Evangelical media – Books, radio, and TV ministries by evangelical Protestants have influenced many Catholics.
- Second Vatican Council – Reforms from this 1962-65 council encouraged lay participation, ecumenism, and using Scripture in worship – all resonating with evangelicals.
- Growth of renewal movements – Charismatic renewal, Cursillo, Focolare, Communion and Liberation, and other lay movements have spread evangelical spirituality.
- John Paul II’s papacy – As pope from 1978-2005, John Paul II encouraged evangelism, biblical literacy, and unity with other Christians.
These influences have shaped evangelical Catholicism into a distinct spiritual ethos within the broader Catholic Church. It transcends any one movement or group and has become a steady undercurrent in Catholic life.
Key Figures and Groups
While evangelical Catholicism is diverse and informal, some key figures and groups have emerged:
- Scott Hahn – A former Protestant minister who converted to Catholicism, Hahn is a prolific author calling Catholics to a more evangelical and biblically-rooted faith.
- Catholic Charismatic Renewal – With over 160 million members, this widespread movement promotes charismatic spirituality, ecumenism, evangelism, and social action.
- Word on Fire – Bishop Robert Barron’s media ministry makes evangelical-style discipleship resources to “proclaim Christ to the culture.”
- EWTN – This global Catholic media network was founded by Mother Angelica, who exemplified evangelical zeal for sharing the gospel through modern media.
- Catholic Answers – Their media outreach aims to explain and defend Catholic teaching in an accessible way to mainstream evangelical Protestants.
- Franciscan University of Steubenville – Steubenville is a hub for evangelical Catholicism, known for passion for worship, evangelism, and conservative doctrine.
- Catholic Evangelization Ministries – Numerous parachurch groups like St. Paul Street Evangelization seek to spur grassroots evangelism efforts.
These represent some of the most prominent evangelical Catholic voices and communities, but the spirituality is diffuse across many ordinary parishes too.
Relation to Other Forms of Catholicism
Evangelical Catholicism has a complex relationship with other main strands of Catholicism:
- Traditional Catholicism – Shares a high view of Catholic identity, but traditionalists are cautious about evangelical zeal for fear of Protestant influence or spiritual subjectivity.
- Progressive Catholicism – Has some overlap in social action, but progressives are wary of evangelical Catholics’ doctrinal conservatism and spiritual enthusiasm.
- Cultural Catholicism – Sees cultural and nominal Catholics as an evangelistic opportunity, though the highly devout spirituality can seem foreign to them.
- Liberation theology – Common ground on social justice, but liberation theology is more politically radical and skeptical of spiritual fervor.
- Catholic charismatic renewal – Very close spiritually, though evangelical Catholics have a stronger emphasis on doctrinal fidelity alongside spiritual renewal.
There is both affinity and tension with these other groups. Broadly, evangelical Catholicism blends theological conservatism with spiritual dynamism and evangelistic outreach. This unique blend both attracts and repels different segments of the Catholic world.
Comparison to Evangelical Protestants
Evangelical Catholics share core convictions with evangelical Protestants but within the framework of Catholicism:
- Agree on biblical authority, need for conversion, and mandate to evangelize.
- Differ on matters like the authority of tradition, role of the sacraments, and veneration of Mary/the saints.
- Generally have more formal/liturgical worship and social teaching than evangelical Protestants.
- Tend to have a closer relationship to ecclesial authority and identity with historical Christianity.
- Represent two streams of Christianity trying to retrieve elements lost at the Reformation: evangelicals return to Scripture, evangelical Catholics recover early Church Fathers.
- Can serve as a bridge for mutual understanding between Protestants and Catholics.
There is affinity with evangelical Protestants given common zeal for evangelism and biblical spirituality. Yet evangelical Catholics firmly adhere to Catholic doctrine and identity.
Controversies and Criticisms
Evangelical Catholicism has faced some controversies and criticisms:
- Perceived as Protestant infiltration of Catholicism by traditionalists.
- Progressives argue it sidelines social justice and adaptation to modernity.
- Some express unease over mass rallies, emotionalism, and claims of miracles associated with movements like the charismatic renewal.
- Concerns that focusing on subjective experience diminishes the sacraments and liturgy.
- Worry about lack of ecclesial oversight and theological depth in parachurch groups and activities.
- Accused of simplistic evangelism methods that lack cultural sensitivity.
- Critiqued for downplaying continuous Catholic heritage in favor of renewal and revivalism.
These controversies reflect disputes over what genuine Catholic spirituality and identity entail. Evangelical Catholicism disruptsExpected boundaries and categories.
Implications and Influence
Some key implications and influences of evangelical Catholicism:
- Made personal spirituality more central to lay Catholic identity.
- Renewed apologetics defending Catholic teachings.
- Spurred greater scriptural literacy and engagement among Catholics.
- Built ecumenical ties between Catholics and evangelical Protestants.
- Boosted lay mobilization and grassroots activism.
- Increased emphasis on evangelism and missionary outreach.
- Strengthened intellectual and pastoral efforts at Catholic education.
- Shaped the outlooks of John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and many bishops.
- Played a role in sustaining core Catholic identity and practice amid modern secularism.
This evangelical impulse has impacted Catholic life at all levels, from pews to pontiffs. It taps into core Christian dynamism while reaffirming Catholic uniqueness. This complex renewal movement will likely continue shaping the Church’s engagement with modernity.
Concluding Reflections
Evangelical Catholicism represents an effort to revive Christian fundamentals like personal conversion, biblical literacy, Gospel witness, and Spirit-filled discipleship within the Catholic tradition. It forms a kind of “middle ground” between Protestant evangelicalism and traditional Catholicism, blending the two core Christian emphases of Word and Sacrament. This movement has stirred some controversy but largely been a force for renewal, outreach, and lay participation in the Church. Going forward, evangelical Catholicism provides a pathway for the Church to retain core identity amid modern pluralism while also remaining engaged, adaptive, and spiritually vibrant. By marrying the best of Catholic heritage and evangelical zeal, this movement offers a promising path for living out the universal call to holiness and mission in today’s world.
