Still Catholic After All These Years

Many Catholics, probably including many of the 10% of Americans who self-identify as former Catholics, find themselves in complex relationships with Church leadership and teachings and are looking for answers. I too was in a crisis and needed to come to terms with my cradle faith, but I was not willing to give up without an effort. I soon discovered that the reading and research necessary for a full examination of Catholicism is not simple, and probably not for everyone. Much of the writing that describes and defines Church belief is Latinate, theological, philosophical and legalistic. I went ahead anyway since I have been blessed with an inquisitive, diligent and tenacious nature. I looked at the Catholic Church from four vantage points: Church history, the Catholicization of philosophy, the mystical tradition of the Church and its sacramental nature. I then did my best to explain them plainly and concisely. My answer to the question "Should I remain a Catholic?" is contained in the abridged and complete versions of "Still Catholic After All These Years," which I sincerely wish someone had written for me when I was in doubt. I hope reading either version will help others in their struggle; writing them helped me with mine.