Neo-Catholicism

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The term Neo-Catholicism has been used to refer to two different theological and ideological Catholic movements.

1 19th-Century Spanish
2 Post-Vatican II
3 Trivia
4 External links

[edit] 19th-Century Spanish

Neo-Catholicism is the term used to refer to the "narrow," strict, and dogmatic Catholicism that was practiced in some circles in nineteenth-century Spain. It sought to curb freedom of thought by censorship of the press and university lectures and fought any attempt to introduce into Spain any faith other than the state-supported Catholic Church. The school of thought extolled the Inquisitions and would gladly have seen a return to the using of force to impose Catholicism. In politics, Neo-Catholicism supported the absolutist pretender, Don Carlos, and hoped, by means of civil war, to place him on the throne. The wrath of the Neo-Catholics was largely directed at the Liberals, and vice-versa.

[edit] Post-Vatican II

Since Vatican II, Neo-Catholicism has become a mildly derogatory term most often used by traditional Catholics to describe conservative Catholics who they believe fully accept typical interpretations of Vatican II documents that prescribe major changes to Catholic practice, liturgical life, and presentations of Catholic teaching. They accuse contemporary Neo-Catholics of having an exaggerated view of Papal authority and of being concerned with politics over liturgical and doctrinal matters. For example, the typical Neo-Catholic might be actively involved in the pro-life movement, but favor contemporary liturgical practices, such as folk guitar Masses, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, altar girls, and the blending of Protestant soteriology and eschatology with Catholic teaching. They would also likely be more in favor of ecumenism with conservative evangelical Christians and inter-religious dialogue with Jews.

[edit] Trivia

Neo-Catholicism is occasionally used to refer to all who might be classified as being on the right of the Catholic theological spectrum, though this is not the generally accepted meaning of the term.