The term "recovering Catholic" is used by some former practicing
Catholics to describe their religious status. The use of the term implies that the person considers their former Catholicism to have been a
negative influence on their life, one to be "recovered" from. The term first came into use in the 1980s.
The term is sometimes used with humorous intent, with a conscious parallel being drawn to the
12-step recovery programs often used by those recovering from addictions, although practicing
Catholics often find the term offensive.
See also
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Apostasy in Christianity
Apostasy in Christianity is the repudiation of Christ and the central teachings of Christianity by someone who formerly was a Christian (Christ-follower). The term apostasy comes from the Greek word ''apostasia'' (" ἀποστασία") meanin ...
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Cafeteria Catholicism A Cafeteria Catholic is a Catholic who dissents from the doctrinal or moral teachings of the Catholic Church, including those who choose not to receive one or more of the seven sacraments (for example thinking confession to a priest is not necessar ...
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Catholic guilt
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Glossary of the Catholic Church
This is a glossary of terms used within the Catholic Church. Some terms used in everyday English have a different meaning in the context of the Catholic faith, including brother, confession, confirmation, exemption, faithful, father, ordinary, r ...
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Index of Catholic Church articles
This is an index of Catholic Church articles. Portals and navigation boxes are at the bottom of the page. For a listing of Catholic Church articles by category, see :Catholic Church (and its various subcategories and pages) at the bottom of the p ...
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Lapsed Catholic
A lapsed Catholic is a Catholic who is non-practicing. Such a person may still identify as a Catholic, and remains one according to canon law. Excommunication or an act of defection only separate a person from the sacraments. Nothing can terminate ...
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List of former Roman Catholics
A ''list'' is any set of items in a row. List or lists may also refer to:
People
* List (surname)
Organizations
* List College, an undergraduate division of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
* SC Germania List, German rugby unio ...
References
Further reading
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Christian secularism
1980s neologisms
Catholic culture
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