\u201cEvangelical Catholicism\u201d\u009d is a term being used to capture the Catholic version of a 21st century politics of identity, reflecting the long-term historical transition in the West from Christianity as a culture-shaping majority to Christianity as a subculture, albeit a large and influential one. I define Evangelical Catholicism in terms of three pillars:<\/p>\n
–A strong defense of traditional Catholic identity, meaning attachment to classic markers of Catholic thought (doctrinal orthodoxy) and Catholic practice (liturgical tradition, devotional life, and authority).
\n–Robust public proclamation of Catholic teaching, with the accent on Catholicism\u2019s mission ad extra, transforming the culture in light of the Gospel, rather than ad intra, on internal church reform.
\n–Faith seen as a matter of personal choice rather than cultural inheritance, which among other things implies that in a highly secular culture, Catholic identity can never be taken for granted. It always has to be proven, defended, and made manifest.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n