Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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IDENTITY CRISIS

Uncertainty experienced by some people about who they really are, as human beings, and what their role in life should be in the Church or in human society. Partly created by the intrusion of ideas alien to historic Christianity. Some believers are struggling between two images of themselves: an earlier one that was supported by a friendly culture and a later one that is being challenged for validity by a culture that is hostile or at least indifferent to authentic Christian values.