The Eucharistic fast is set at one hour. Yes, those things change from time to time, and will probably change again, but no one who has a clue about the Catholic Church bases his faith on these matters. The matters of faith are the virgin birth, death and resurrection of Christ, His teachings, the history of the Church -- all those things without which there would be no Protestantism either. The difference is that we believe wholly and you believe selectively. We also believe directly and you believe through the filter of your pastor. But we both believe the Church. There is simply no ohter source of knowledge about the salvation Christ offered you.
Incorrect! A true Christian believes wholly what God has revealed in his word. You claim Catholics believe "directly" and "non-Catholics" believe "selectively" through a filter of our pastor. I sure would like to know how you are defining "directly" here because you have ALWAYS used the filter of your magesterium to know what you are to believe which sure sounds no different than the dreaded "pastor" you deem inferior to your priests. In fact, most Catholics were not even given a chance to read what the Bible actually said until 500 or so years ago. They were entirely dependent on their "pastors/priest" to know anything at all concerning the faith and that is exactly how they would have remained if Rome had her choice, I'm sure.
And regarding the fasting parameters prior to communion, we were taught, no it was pounded into our heads, that to disobey this mandate/commandment was a mortal sin worthy of hell that must be confessed and properly penanced. So don't tell me it was a simple, little, inconsequential church custom or personal discipline. The specific requirements of the fast have definitely changed over time. Prior to 1964, the Eucharistic fast began at midnight. Pope Paul VI, on Nov. 21, 1964, reduced the fast to a period of one hour. According to my Mom, a devout Roman Catholic, the fast is optional...ooops, I better let her know she's committing a mortal sin without even knowing it! There is even disagreement whether it is one hour before Mass starts or before you actually receive communion. Yeah...it sure sounds like that is a clear teaching all right. A lesson I remember from a nun at school was the adage, "Clean off your own doorstep before you try to clean off someone else's.". That was good advice then and still is.