In today’s paper there was an obituary of a Fianna Fáil politician. He was one of the Ansbacher account holders. He was described as “a devout Catholic, non-smoker and non-drinker”. I am not quite sure how he squared his banking arrangements with a devout catholic conscience; anyhow, these words do make him sound joyless and judgemental and I feel that they were intended to do so. It certainly painted a mental picture for me and it was not a particularly positive one.
It then occurred to me that the words might also be applied to me. Given that the criteria for devout catholic have relaxed quite a bit since I was younger and weekly mass-goer seems to be sufficient to make the grade, I am in there. I have never been a smoker. And I don’t like the taste of alcohol, so I tend not to drink. I will often take a glass of wine, if people are insistent (and, in Ireland, they often are) but I’ll just have a sip and in my experience, people don’t notice you’re not drinking, if you have a full glass of something in front of you. My only hope of salvation is, clearly, to continue to pretend to drink.
Did you know that you were reading the blog of a devout Catholic, non-smoker and non-drinker? Also, a pedant which is why I wonder, catholic, c or C? Advice in the comments please.
disgruntled says
9 November, 2013 at 19:08My understanding is that ‘catholic’ means the other sense of the word (as in someone of catholic tastes) whereas ‘Catholic’ refers to the religion.
Perhaps he defined himself as a non-smoker/non-drinker by making a big song and dance about it? As in the difference between being a cyclist and someone who just uses a bike occasionally to get about.
WOL says
10 November, 2013 at 08:58“catholic” with a lower case “c” means “including a wide variety of things; all-embracing.l” “Catholic” with a capitol “C” (indicating a proper noun) specifically refers to the Roman Catholic Church. (“Catholic” as in “The Church Universal”) So you can have catholic tastes and be a Presbyterian.
Jenny says
10 November, 2013 at 17:20Perhaps you gamble or attend swing parties.
belgianwaffle says
13 November, 2013 at 20:18Thank you for the advice on Catholic/catholic. Most helpful. Disgruntled, did I mention that I am a devout Catholic, non-smoker, teetotaller cyclist? Makes all the difference.
Jenny, I follow betfairpoker on twitter. Is that any good?