ATLANTA — I was once a cafeteria Catholic. I chose some religious principles from column one, and others from column two. But I refused to partake of the whole feast.
One problem was ignorance of what my faith taught, and why. I truly thought that it made no difference if I rejected certain core beliefs of Catholicism.
Sadly, there are many cafeteria Catholics out there. And the world had a chance to see one in action when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently shared her opinion on when life begins for an interview on "Meet the Press."
Pelosi, who is pro-choice, said, "Over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition ..."
Pelosi calls herself an "ardent, practicing Catholic," but I had to wonder if she has been wearing earplugs to Mass. Because when it comes to abortion, the Catholic church has an unequivocal position. And it is definitely not the one Pelosi described.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states it clearly: "Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception." And the catechism emphasizes that this teaching has not changed and "remains unchangeable."
As for me, I didn't realize the church's position on abortion was a non-negotiable part of being Catholic. until I received instruction from a priest who provided the theological background.
And once I understood, and accepted, my religion's fundamental teachings, I stopped calling myself a pro-choice Catholic.
Unfortunately, folks who disagree with the essential teachings of Catholicism sometimes won't budge from the fold. They can do damage by presenting Catholicism incorrectly in the public eye, as Pelosi did.
Cardinal Edward Egan, the Catholic archbishop of New York, issued a statement correcting Pelosi's view.
He noted that technology today gives further weight to ancient teachings. He mentioned "crystal-clear photographs and action films of the living realities within their pregnant mothers."
When it comes to teachings on faith and morals, Catholicism is not a cafeteria line. Belief in the divinity of Christ goes hand in hand with accepting the definition of when life begins.
There are plenty of practices Catholics can pick and choose among. Such as making novenas, saying the Rosary and reciting morning prayers.
But calling oneself a member of a religion whose non-negotiable beliefs you deny makes no sense. My prayer for Pelosi and other cafeteria Catholics is that they will learn what their faith actually teaches, and why. And I pray they will then stop selecting beliefs from a cafeteria line, and start embracing the entire feast.
This column was published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.