Why Be Catholic?: Understanding Our Experience and Tradition

by Richard Rohr, Joseph Martos

"The book should help every thinking Catholic. It would also make a good RCIA resource as well as a blockbuster stimulus for discussions."— Book Nook, Pecos Benedictine

The authors answer the question, "Why Be Catholic?" fairly and squarely, showing a deep appreciation about what is good in Catholicism and a penetrating honesty about the Church's shortcomings. Rohr and Martos also examine what it means to be Catholic in the United States today. Finally, to answer the title question in a more personal way, they present portraits of some outstanding Catholics, especially those we call saints, who have found personal fulfillment by living their faith to the utmost.

After reading this book, you will appreciate more fully the unique heritage of the Catholic Church. You will understand how its magnificent tradition enriches the lives of Catholics today and propels the ever-changing Church into the 21st century and third millennium. A popular resource for RCIA, evangelization and religious education.

Genres: Religion, Spirituality, Theology, Faith, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1989

About the author

Fr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fr. Richard's teaching is grounded in the Franciscan alternative orthodoxy—practices of contemplation and expressing itself in radical compassion, particularly for the socially marginalized.

Fr. Richard is author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs, Adam’s Return, The Naked Now, Breathing Under Water, Falling Upward, Immortal Diamond, Eager to Love, and The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation (with Mike Morrell).

Fr. Richard is academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. Drawing upon Christianity's place within the Perennial Tradition, the mission of the Living School is to produce compassionate and powerfully learned individuals who will work for positive change in the world based on awareness of our common union with God and all beings. Visit cac.org for more information.

Reviews

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be titled, "Why being Catholic has both aggravating challenges and beautiful depth." I appreciate his balanced perspective.

[E.M. Epps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for character research. I don't usually read research books cover to cover, and therefore don't review them, but this one was slim. I don't think the authors present a convincing case for answering the title question in the positive; they are too fair-minded and honest, never discussing an ideal without also talking about its failures of execution. Which really makes this a far, far better book than if it had been one-sided. Readable and interesting though I imagine some (who have more involvement in the subject than I) might find Rohr's point of view divisive.

The Catholic tradition, which is reflected both in its theology and in its worship, is incarnational and sacramental. It takes the world seriously and encourages us to find God in the world. It takes human activity seriously and encourages us to be like Jesus in the world. The Church has consistently taught social justice because it believes that God's righteousness should be not just talked about but incarnated in the world of human affairs.

[Catherine Puma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to these conversational talks by Father Richard Rohr. Although they were recorded a while ago, the messages are still very much applicable to today. EVERY Catholic, especially modern Americans (he speaks in Ohio, so he sometimes references the American experience), should listen to these talks. Rohr's cadence of speech reminds me of Dr. Randy Pausch, which is a high compliment since I have listened to his Last Lecture multiple times. Rohr's talks definitely get you thinking about who you are as a Catholic and who you were meant to be.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed a lot of the pieces of this book and there are certainly parts of it that are true and relatable today. However, it's clear that it was written at a very specific historical point for a very specific audience and I neither lived through that time nor am part of that audience. A modern reader would probably get a lot more out of a more modern Rohr work, and I do look forward to reading more of him.

[Nick Kinsella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I guess this would be ok for someone who knows literally nothing about Catholicism or someone who grew up Catholic and knows nothing about their faith, but this is a pretty tepid, toothless read. I could see it being useful for a small group of inquirers or reverts to Catholicism, but if you are a person that's "into Catholicism" it's very basic. He doesn't really answer the question of the title of the book very persuasively either.

[Mary Janelle]

One takeaway for me was that historically, change in the church is often led by the people, with the leadership being slow to catch on. Also a reminder that both Christ and most of the saints were subversive in their times. This leaves me a bit hopeful.

[Cindy Shortall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely book showing the warmth and tradition of the Catholic faith. It was also supposed to show the other side of the coin, and I think it could have done a better job of that. I felt there were some glaring omissions.

[Emily Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated this book very much because of it's thoroughness and honesty. Being catholic is not my path, but I respect a great deal about it and this book deepened that for me.

[Jane Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that offers needed insights into the good and the negative of the Catholic Church.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some insights for me, certainly. But this is an old book and it missed many of the problems within the church. A worthwhile read for me...the sacraments and the history are at the core.

[Adam Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short Review: Why Be Catholic by Richard Rohr - this is a series of lectures that was turned into a book later. I listened to the audiobook which was just the lectures. This is from 1985, but still very relevant. A great book for Evangelicals to listen into Catholics speaking to themselves. A very encouraging listen. Two good points. 1) Rohr approaches every strength as having a corresponding weakness. So Catholics tend to be very communal and submissive to the church (he see this as a strength), but the corresponding weakness is a lack of initiative. Another strength is that the Catholic church has an extremely long view of success (the corresponding weakness is a lack of immediacy.) 2) the Catholic church has a universal look at problems and issues. So even if the average catholic does not understand the full theology, the full theology has been well thought out by someone. This leaves people able to rest in the care of the church.

My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/why-be-catholic/

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this on New Year's Day while on retreat at the New Camaldoli Hermitage. This year is a year of exploring my spirituality... and part of that is exploring & making a sort of peace with my Catholic upbringing. I was browsing the retreat kitchen library for a place to start and came across this short, sweet, clear little book. The thing that struck me most was that this book (and the few others I browsed) were very clear on the point that most of the good bits about Catholicism also tend to be the bits that are often squashed by the church as an institution & bureaucracy. "But be Catholic anyway" .... "struggle from the inside" .... is the message I'm hearing. I'm just not sure, especially when I feel I've cobbled together my own spiritual tools (some probably borrowed from my own early experiences with Catholicism) that seem to work well to make meaning in my life and help me be a more loving person. But it feels right to at least be curious and engaged...

[Cyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joseph Martos turned a series of talks in the 1980s by Fr. Richard Rohr into this book. It seems dated in its optimism, since (in my opinion) Roman Catholicism was in a healthier place--spiritually and politically, anyway--23 years ago. But I particularly liked the emphasis in the latter parts of the book on emulating the Saints rather than obeying a list of rules. This was my first book-length foray into Fr. Rohr's writings, in preparation for the Franciscan Mysticism conference I'm attending in Santa Fe at the end of October 2012.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very balanced exploration of the Catholic faith that sheds light on the deeper treasures of the church that are often hidden beneath the routine religious practice. Rohr and Martos present the agony and the ecstasy of Catholicism without shying away from those areas where the church has failed in representing the gospel of Christ. Well written in conversational tone, the book lays bare the wounds of the church while conveying a message of hope to those who want to hang in there with her for the next millennium.

[Katie Oxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I always appreciate Richard Rohr, but I found this read particularly helpful. Even as a Protestant, I so appreciated the way Rohr articulated both the history, legacy, and mission of the Church. He takes a good hard look at the Catholic tradition and is neither shy about it's flaws or gloating about it's gifts. His measured and kind look at Catholicism in America is both inspiring and hopeful while not being idealistic or disconnected from reality. I am coming away from this read with more clarity about the church, and hope for the people of God than I've felt in a long time.

[Irish Gal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with the other reviews that suggest a different title, like "Where We Are As Catholics". It doesn't really really go deep into comparisons with other denominations.

To me it was a good reflection for long-time Catholics. It is much "easier" to read than the other Richard Rohr books I have tried, probably because it is based on talks.

I loved the last part about the different types of saints (and I am not that "into" saints!).

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I am really enjoying this book. The first part discussed the good things about being catholic, sacred tradition and inclusion, the second part is about the negatives of being catholic such as cultural catholocism and depency on the clery leaving many adult catholics spiritually immature. It is a good read for lent.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this book was very balanced and fair. The authors took time to explore both the positive and negative aspects of Catholicism. I appreciated the emphasis on community. Although I didn't agree with everything they wrote I appreciated the slim volume for it's clarity and honesty.

[Lee F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helped but my confict is continuing

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was amazing at all the good stuff catholic church contribute to....like public education. I read this one couple years back so I do not remember many details.

[Mark Glidden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trite and blase.