The lecture "On Being Roman Catholic" is an attempt to state briefly what the essence of Roman Catholicism is in distinction from other philosophies and religions.

From the Essay:

"The reason that properly belongs to Catholicism delights to hear any objection to its truth.  Such objections insight us to clarity and distinction.  Catholicism is a revelation confident in its own grounding and coherence."

"It is of the essence of Catholicism to be an intellectual religion.  On its own tenets it is not true if a case cannot be made for its validity."