Bishop Thomas Says 'No More Camouflage Catholics'

I found this article via the Catholic Bandit. Bishop George Leo Thomas of Helena, Montana has just returned home from an ad limina apostolorum visit with the Holy Father.  Bishop Thomas talked to Christopher Wells about his visit and outlined plans for the New Evangelisation. 

 “We’re beginning, first of all, by mobilising the diocesan clergy. They’re really the key to bringing the vision of the New Evangelisation to the people. So our presbyteral council – our priest council in our own diocese – and I are working together to create a very concerted plan in this upcoming Year of Faith, that would help each Catholic reclaim his or her own baptismal promise and identity as a Catholic, and then to very courageously invite others to see and taste the goodness of the Lord.” 

He said, “My message, of course over and over again, is: No more ‘camouflage Catholics’ in our diocese! Mediocrity, the lukewarm spirit, is an enemy of the Church.” But, he added, his message is a very positive one: “The Church in the Northwest is very intentional, very dynamic… So I see it as a springtime in the Church.” 

Bishop Thomas concluded with a call to Catholics throughout the world: “One thing that I would certainly want to share with the people of our own diocese, but certainly across the country and the world, and that is to take seriously your own individual call to holiness your personal encounter with Christ, and to remain very steeped in the sacramental life of the Church. It is an emancipating and joyful life as a Catholic.”

The saying 'Camouflage Catholics' that Bishop Thomas coined is a very clever characterization of silent, wishy-washy Catholics who merely sit on the sidelines. I think the good bishop's fervor needs to be applied all cross America and beyond.