Questions About Catholicism

I don't often get to explain my faith in a concrete way through a Q&A correspondence! But today I had the opportunity, to answer a non-Catholic christian friend in this way, so I thought I would share my humble attempts with you all. Comments and prayers would be welcome!

"What makes you a Catholic?"
This can be answered best by answering "What makes you a Christian?" and then going on from there to your second point. I am a Christian because I am baptised. This action of baptism is a real infusion of divine grace into my soul, which means I am reborn in Christ's Resurrection and Glory. That doesn't mean, of course, my Christian life ends there. Being a Christian is also about living my whole life IN CHRIST, and being humbly obedient to God, in his commandments, and in his will for my own life.

"Why is this different from other christians?"
We all have ONE baptism, so all christians share in this divine life. However, it is in the teaching authority of the Church that Catholics draw extra spiritual sustenance. Jesus founded the Church on St. Peter, who was the apostle of the apostles, a first among equals. When St Peter went to Rome, he became 'bishop' there, and his successors are known as the Papacy. The other apostles settled in other places, which in many cases still trace their lineage back to those apostolic times (eg St Mark and the coptic church in Egypt). An important part of the early Church was the Holy Spirit's complete guidance and protection given at Pentecost, which gave them the power to transmit the Faith through their teachings. These teachings are safely handed on to successive generations. All the churches quickly became reliant on communion, or agreement and sharing in the Truth of the Faith. When there was a dispute, the matter would need to be settled by Rome, in a similar way to the first council of the church held in Jerusalem (Acts) which was of course before Peter had settled in Rome itself. The conversion of the 'world empire' was always the will of the Holy Spirit, which explains St. Paul (and Peter)'s martyrdom in its centre of Rome. It was through the conversion of the Roman empire that Christendom spread all over the known world, and endured even after the collapse of the empire itself.

In all apostolic teaching, the Bible is the epitome, but by no means an exhaustive collection of the saving work of Christ.

As time went on, and especially in the 16th century, people decided to change and invent new doctrine and led people away from the Rock of Peter (Rome). Without any central teaching authority, they too quickly fragmented and bitter divisions resulted. Other christians differ in the degree of truth they hold to, and are only in communion with the Church (the mystical Body of Christ) in an imperfect way. Most specifically, the lack of an ordained priesthood and valid sacraments, makes it very difficult for other christians to preserve unity and the fullness of Faith, despite their undoubted zealousness and sincerity for what they believe.

"What makes you right with God as a Catholic?"
In a word, Grace. It is the reconciliation of Humanity with God, which Christ won on the Cross, which makes it possible for us to approach God and receive the Grace we need to become saints. Our justification before God is not just the way God sees us, but a process which he makes available to us, to sanctify us, perfect us, and make our hearts more like Christ. Humility is the first step, since we are nothing without God. The Sacraments, mainly Confession and the Mass (holy communion) are the principle means by which God chooses to sanctify us. The Mass is the greatest because it is Christ's body, blood, soul and divinity which are given us to unite us to his sacrifice on the cross, and to conform us to Himself.

"How does it change your life in comparison to a non-believer?"
We begin to display this divine life (or should) through the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity (as well as Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice) in all our actions. Of course we don't become perfect overnight, but it is through the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we become ever closer to Christ. I would say personally, it is about dying to the world and living anew in Christ, and this gives us a detachment from worldly things. Ultimately it is about our desire for heaven and spending an eternity with God, which a non-believer may not wish to believe in or attain. This is a difficult question because generally I try not to compare myself with non-believers, or anyone for that matter, but to seek reconciliation with God amongst my own constant sinfulness. But I can't help noticing that non-believers blaspheme a lot more! And don't go to church!

Phew! Unusual and unclichéd questions, which I had the pleasure to answer really. There weren't very many soundbites which sprang to mind, which necessitated the length of my reply! Of course, the ecumenical question is a big one, which I'm not sure even the Church can answer to everyone's satisfaction. I think these questions must be answered with charity at the centre, which is something I pray and hope to have displayed. God bless!