I think you are right about dissenters being very vocal about the right to be considered truly Catholic. However, I have also seen it among lapsed Catholics. The ones I know have a strange relationship with the Catholic Church, and in one sense admire the Church and lament the changes done in the name of Vatican II, yet are also, in their personal beliefs and practices, fully involved in the “spirit” they often lament. It is odd to me.

Nonetheless, I am still always baffled how someone can a)oppose the Church in so many areas and/or b)have no real commitment to the Church, and still with such gusto claim to speak on the Church’s behalf.

For the record and to be irksome, I will say I have far less trouble with nominal Catholics claiming Catholic than with dissidents.

Nominals who claim Catholic at least have a sense of proper direction should they at some point become open to a spiritual awakening–though they are easy prey for Protestant on the prowl and for whom a Catholic is top trophy.

Dissidents on the other hand are another animal. I would rather deal with an honest member of TEC than a dishonest “Catholic.” Dissidents, of course, are legion particularly in the boomer and earlier generations. It is they who have the temerity to profess expert status on matters Catholic while quoting any of their number. Much of the membership of the Catholic Theological Society fall into this category and find easy access to Catholic theology departments where they can do the most damage.

Sad but true. Of course this is what Ex Corde will uncover when applied by the right men on episcopal thrones.