I don't agree. Those Catholics who are profoundly in love with Christ in the Eucharist are joyful. The liberal catholics I know are sourpusses, with not a shred of a sense of humor. They take themselves so seriously that it is hard not to laugh at them. Give me a faithful, obedient Catholic any day. Believe me, I know the difference. I used to be one of the liberal, ordain-women, dance-at-mass, Jungian "Catholics." No THANKS.
That sounds worse than "cafeteria" catholic. :-).
I'm trying to sort out why I see some things the way I do. I used to attend churches all over town. In the one in the west end, people didn't seem very happy, nor did they in the ones downtown. Maybe I should say happily energetic. They turn out for all the activities, etc.
In the two more wealthy parishes I'm more familiar with, all the masses are packed and the people just exude energy and seem happier, more vibrant.
Maybe it doesn't have anything to do with liberal or conservative. It's probably just people. Our whole diocese is pretty liberal.
The last time I attended the church in the west end, it was St. (the throat guy) day. There was a woman standing with her candles crossed in front of the church blessing everyone.
What difference does that make?
When you have a woman standing in front of the church with crossed candles, you know you have got a problem :-).