A Catholic and a Protestant walked into a bar…and did a podcast. And guess who was on the defensive? Yup. The Catlick. Why does that always seem to be the case in Catholic-Protestant debates? I would venture to say it’s because Protestants have been protesting something for five hundred years: Catholic doctrine. Very often a Christian denomination will define itself, or “catechize” vis-à-vis what it doesn’t accept in the Catholic Church, or by expounding on why Catholics are wrong. 

Throughout different ages, in different countries and cultures, the original and now greatly expanded Protestant-Catholic debate (begun by Martin Luther in 1517) continues to percolate, albeit with various tones. 

Fast forward to 2025. Gone is the harsh rhetoric and mutual condemnations (for the most part). Gone, too, in great part are logic, historicity and intellectual rigor. In its place we have lovey-dovey ecumenism and…Catholics on the defensive. After watching a recent Catholic-Protestant debate (where, in my humble opinion, the Catholic bombed), I realized that the entire framing of the debate was:

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• anti-Catholic, even though it was on the Catholic’s own show 
• without premises/starting points 
• a free-for-all, with the Protestant calmly flipping out sound-good, feel-good phrases, that were grounded in nothing but opinions. They were not your typical arguments or rebuttals, and thus left the Catholic host dumbstruck. (You need to know that this Protestant is also a famous, whip-smart, deadpan humourist. But still.)

At the risk of being religiously incorrect: I’ve had it. I’m done. No more Sister Nice Guy. All my life—and I do mean all my life—it was apparent to me that Catholics were supposed to only focus on what we had in common with the majority of Protestants. This stance was, from our side, a Catholic invention.) 

We were supposed to omit, ignore and self-edit what might be “offensive” to a Protestant belief system or sensibility. It was like searching for the lowest common denominator and staying there. And there is no way to keep that approach from dribbling into one’s personal spiritual life as well. Being two-faced for the sake of some false unity is no unity at all, and it helps no one who might be searching for the fullness of truth. 

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If I believe the Catholic Church is the Church Jesus founded, why am I downplaying that? Why am I apologizing for what God has done? The only thing that will truly attract fence-sitters, the fallen away, the near and far away, is what they don’t already have. I am now a maximalist Catholic instead of a minimalist Catholic. I emphasize it all.

Why should I be on the defensive? Why don’t Catholics ask Protestants: 

• “Where is your Eucharistic Sacrifice?” 
• “Why don’t you honour the Mother of God and ask her intercession as Christians have done from the beginning?” 
• “Where is your chain of authority with a direct line back to Christ?” 
• “Why don’t you utilize Christ’s sacramental system that He established while here on earth?”
• “Why is your Christianity so different from that of the Fathers of the Church that it would be unrecognizable to them?” 
• “Why are you refusing God’s plan and heavenly gifts, and instead following man-founded and man-made religious traditions?” 

Granted, these questions could be answered with an ecclesiology foreign to the one, holy Catholic and apostolic Church—but why don’t we challenge that very ecclesiology (which is actually a huge part of the problem)?

According to some surprising recent stats, Catholicism is becoming “cool” in various places around the world, even among young people. I believe the time is ripe to not hide being “full” Catholics, but very openly practice and share full Catholicism in all its soul-saving, God-glorifying beauty. If the Catholic Church—with her abundant spiritual riches—is meant to be a home for all humanity, then it’s time to invite and welcome our Christian brothers and sisters home first.

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We Catholics need to be less “elbows up!” when challenged by our separated brethren, and more, “Here we go!” “Bring it!” or, as the kids say: “Let’s go!” 

Whilst on the topic of hockey, I would like to state that the loss of Mitch Marner (on Canada Day, no less) is a travesty (Tavaresty?). After a certain amount of time, players should stay on the same team for the remainder of their careers. Especially if they’re playing for their hometown. Especially if they’re good. Especially if they’re a fan favourite. That is all.