Pope Benedict XVI made an unusual change to the dividing-line between Catholics and ex-Catholics in 2006. Many neo-con non-trad Catholics will frequently hear a family member or co-worker say something like, “I’m an ex-Catholic.” Then, the lukewarm Catholic smiles back and says, “Once Catholic, always Catholic.” What they actually mean is: “You really have not left the Catholic Church, even if you think you have.” To be sure, it’s a nice idea to say “Once a Catholic, always a Catholic,” but it’s false according to classic Catholic dogma. The fact is that the Catholic Church has always taught that an ex-Catholic maintains the character of baptism, but not the grace [...]