Dear P-Marlowe,
Sorry - from my perspective, the interviewer asked a question analogous to, "Do you own a motor vehicle," and got an answer of, "I own a Ford."
The answer gave more specificity than was asked, but actually answered the question.
The answer may have been over-specific in an effort to impress the interviewer, as the added specifier becomes an intensifier, as in, "Of course I'm a Christian - I happen to be a devout Catholic."
I've had folks do this with me all the time in interviews.
"I see on your resume that you were at Humblebumble University from 1994- 1998. Did you achieve a degree?"
"I graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa."
That wasn't a yes or no answer, even though the question as phrased was meant to elicit a yes or not response.
Yet it accurately, if overspecifically, answered the question.
As did the answer, "I am a Catholic," to the question, "Are you a Christian."
The only reason why this wouldn't be an acceptable answer (unless the job requirement specifically stated that only evangelical Protestants need apply - but then that should have been made clear BEFORE application for the position was made) is because the interviewer does not accept that Catholics are Christians.
Which is anti-Catholic bigotry.
sitetest
If you were applying for a management position at General Motors you would be wise to simply answer "yes".
Mr. Clark was not applying for a leadership job with a Catholic Charity, he was applying for a leadership position at a non-Catholic and more or less non-denominational Christian charity.
His parochial answer of "I'm a Catholic" would be the same as an idiot who would proudly answer "I own a Ford" when he was applying for a management position with GM.
If you don't understand that, then I can't help you, Sundance.
Indeed. This was an interview, not an interrogation.