Expert: Tom Schott - 8/27/2007

Question
Hi Tom,

I am Catholic. I believe I was "born again" when I was baptized as an infant because the priest asked God to send the Holy Spirit into my life. Furthermore, I was baptized with water.

I think Catholics are "evangelicals" too. I don't think the word evangelical only applies to protestants. If you read what an evangelical is, like on wikepedia.com there is nothing in that that Catholics don't believe in as I can see it.

What do you think? Open to hearing your point of view.

I feel hurt when Catholics are treated as "not real Christians". That is predudice and not based on actual facts.

Thanks,
Luz

Answer
Luz,

 I totally agree with you. By our baptisms, we were all anointed priests, prophets, and kings. All of these roles have a definite evangelical aspect to them, especially the role of prophet. As for those who do not think of Catholics as evangelical and "real" Christians, what can you do? There will always be ignorant and uninformed people. I would not let it cause me to lose one minute's sleep. Just pray for these people. I would not waste my time arguing with them.

  There are Catholics "evangelicals" in the sense that Protestants mean it, too. They can be found in various charismatic communities which are active in the Church at large.