What is a Catholic Writer

Over the years, I've contemplated joining Catholic writing groups but I got the sense that my fondness for dropping the occasional f-bomb might be frowned upon. I also suspected that my stories -- populated as they are by divorcees, alcoholics, adulterers, witches and even the occasional murderer -- might raise a few eyebrows.

But does that mean I'm not a Catholic writer? What does it even mean to be a Catholic writer?

Andrew Greeley stated that Catholic works of art "assume a God who is present in the world, disclosing himself in and through creation." Do my novels meet that definition? Yes. Yes I think they do.

I am what they call a "cradle Catholic" but despite my many many years of Catholic education, if I'm being completely honest, I would have to categorize myself as a very imperfect Catholic. I miss mass a lot. I drop the more than occasional f-bomb. I can be abrupt and short-tempered and often find it difficult to like -- never mind love -- my neighbor. I allow the inconsequential things in life to fill my brain to such a degree that I find it difficult to quieten it enough to say -- and mean -- even the most basic of prayers.

And yet ---

I am a Catholic. It is core to who and what I am. Catholicism and my experience of it impacts my world view in ways I am not even fully conscious of most of the time. And it comes out in my writing -- often I don't even realize the degree to which it is reflected in my writing until I reread the final draft.

In my fifty-five years on this planet I have:

- railed at God,

- cried "why me"

- at times been so wracked with guilt and self-loathing that I could barely look at myself in the mirror

- been overcome with gratitude when God has provided an unexpected blessing, and

- known the flashes of peace and love when I felt in communion with my Lord

And I have incorporated these experiences into my characters.

I'm not sure if this is enough to make me a "Catholic Writer," but I know that my very imperfect brand of Catholicism is reflected in my writing and hopefully allows me to impact my readers in a deep and meaningful way.

Despite the occasional f-bomb.