The rise of independent Catholic communities that reject the authority of the Vatican raises new questions about what constitutes a Catholic. Many Catholic groups have formed outside of the authority of Rome but still maintain some elements of Catholic spirituality such as the liturgy, Eucharist and much of the catechism.
''Technically, they're not Catholic in the sense of belonging to the church, but they're Catholic in terms of spirituality,'' said Ed Sunshine, a professor of theology at Barry University.
``Catholic spirituality goes a lot further than the organized Catholic Church.''
Some Catholic denominations have formed their own clerical hierarchies and rites but are still in communion with Rome. Sacraments in those churches are regarded as valid by Roman Catholics. They include the Armenian Catholic Church, the Syrian Catholic Church and the Maronite Catholic Church, among others.
Several schismatic Catholic groups have rejected the Vatican's authority but maintain they have valid ordination lineages tracing to the Old Catholic Church -- which broke from Rome in the 1870s over the issue of papal infallibility -- and other lineages.
Another ping for ya.
Meet the people in a quandry.
Moved by the same instincts as those who have abandoned the faith down the centuries yet still convinced that it's important to be Catholic.
Solution: change the faith to suit yourself but still keep the name.