Orthodox, Liberal, Conservative, Heterodox... Having Your Cake and Eating it too

Definitions are important, especially when it comes to talking about religion. If you have a different definition of what salvation is, or what predestination is, then you're not going to get anywhere in any conversation with someone that disagrees with you.

There are four terms that people often misunderstand and misinterpret. They are: Liberal, Conservative, Heterodox, and Orthodox. Usually people will equate a liberal Catholic as being heterodox, and being a conservative Catholic with being orthodox. Using these terms in speaking about non-dogmatic Catholic beliefs are usually inaccurate, and understanding what each term means can help us understand our own Catholic Faith better.

First, let's talk about conservative and liberal. Conservatism is, in my opinion (feel free to disagree with me in the ComBox), a desire to maintain traditional institutions and practices. If necessary, there is a support for, at most, minimal and gradual change in society. Liberalism is, again in my opinion (and again feel free to disagree with me in the ComBox), apathetic towards traditional institutions and practices. They see and want change quickly and in a radical manner.

Someone that is orthodox is faithful to True dogmatic belief. Someone that is heterodox holds to false dogmatic beliefs. In other words, someone that is an Orthodox Catholic beliefs in the Immaculate Conception, while a heterodox Catholic does not.

Let's look at four examples of combinations of these words.
Conservative and Orthodox- a Catholic who wants to retain priestly celibacy in the Latin Rite, and who recognizes Papal Supremacy.

Liberal and Orthodox- a Catholic who would like for married men in the Latin Rite to become priests, and who recognizes Papal Supremacy.

Conservative and Heterodox- a Catholic who believes that Mass should only be celebrated in Latin, and who rejects Papal Supremacy (Sedevacantism anyone?)

Liberal and Heterodox- a Catholic who wants Mass celebrated with no Latin, and who rejects Papal Supremacy.

As you can see, just because you're conservative, does not mean that you are orthodox. They speak about two different things. Liberalism and conservatism speaks about our views towards non-dogmatic matters, like the practice of celibacy. Orthodoxy and heterodoxy speaks about dogmatic matters, like the male priesthood and the Immaculate Conception.

If we review and look critically at our own non-dogmatic beliefs, I think we'll see that we don't fit into either the conservative camp or the liberal camp (although hopefully we all fit into the orthodox camp!). Some of us support priestly celibacy, but also prefer Mass in the vernacular. Orthodox and heterodox are not arguable, as you are either Catholic or not Catholic in this way. But we can talk, discuss, and argue about conservative and liberal approaches to orthodox Catholicism.

I think that this sheds light on our Catholic Faith. We can all have the same Faith, the same dogmas, and disagree on practices. This is beautiful! It allows for the Church's Truth to maintain and stretch throughout history, while at the same time the Church can be flexible towards human and historical change. The Church can have her cake and eat it too.

Are there things for which you are conservative and for other things liberal, or do you indeed fit fully, totally, and always in one camp? What do you think about this idea of being liberal and orthodox, or conservative and heterodox? Are there other examples you can think of?

In essence, what do you think?!