Review: Why Be Catholic?

Why Be Catholic?: Ten Answers to a Very Important Question

About the Book:

Growing up Catholic during a time of great social and theological upheaval and transition, a time in which countless Catholics abandoned their religion in search of something else, Patrick Madrid learned a great deal about why people leave Catholicism and why others stay. This experience helped him gain many insights into what it is about the Catholic Church that some people reject, as well as those things that others treasure. Drawing upon Madrid's personal experiences, Why Be Catholic? offers a deeply personal, fact-based, rationale for why everyone should be Catholic or at least consider the Catholic Church in a new light.

My Comments:

Why be Catholic?  The bottom line for Madrid is that the Catholic Church teaches the truth so truth-seekers should be part of the Catholic Church.  

Madrid relates the tale of his  high school girlfriend's father who never missed a chance to tell Madrid what was wrong with Catholic beliefs.  Madrid would go home, look up what he was told, and learn that there was a supportable reason the Church taught what it did.  An apologist was born.  

In this book Madrid addresses the sacraments--what they do, why we need them and why God chooses to relate to us in those ways.  He talks about Mary and her place in the plan for salvation.  The saints and their roles are also addressed.  Madrid uses scripture and the writings of the early Church Fathers to explain and defend the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Those looking for an intellectual approach to faith will find this a readable convincing text.  Those who choose their faith based on emotion will not likely be convinced, though I did like his story about a woman who left the Church based on a priest not being there when she needed him, and how God, with Madrid's help, brought her home.  

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.  Grade:  B+