Being an ardent sinner does not prevent one from being a Christian.
For example, I have heard [from mystics] that Jesus would have forgiven Judas the betrayer if he would have only asked Jesus. Not only did Judas betray Jesus, he despaired (which is a sin), and then he committed murder (he killed himself).
There is a very famous Saint Jean Vianney story where a woman goes to Saint Jean-Marie, and is so disheartened about her husband committing suicide.
Saint Jean-Marie Vianney replied to the woman that when her husband jumped off a bridge [which is how he committed suicide], he made a perfect act of contrition of being sorry for his sins before he hit the water.
According to the saint, her husband was in purgatory -- a place in which, according to Catholic teaching, souls are purged of any problems their sins have created.
The point being that a Catholic/Christian is that unless they renounce their religion.
On the other hand, Saint Padre Pio told of a person who went to hell, even though they dedicated their life to God (it was a nun or sister). The person thought that they would go to heaven because they dedicated their life to God -- which according to Saint Padre Pio was the sin of pride.
So all the work of this person was vain glory or work for the person, and not for God.
This latter case took me some time to accept, but unless one gives all glory to God and none to yourself, you are guilty of vain glory.
The point being there are many souls that consider themselves to be Catholics/Christians that are in hell.
And there are probably souls who did not consider themselves to be Catholics/Christians, but may have changed their mind at the last moment (like the Good Thief on Calvary).
There is yet another story of early Christians being put to death by being frozen in a pool of water -- they were forced to enter very cold water until they froze to death or give up their faith.
It was some number that were put to death this way -- so forty total, for example. A few of them could not take the cold, and left the freezing cold water.
They were replaced by an equal number of Roman soldiers who I guess were moved by the faith of the Christians. So Roman soldiers chose martyrdom at the last moment...
So God's mercy is boundless, and a discussion of who is really Catholic/Christian/saved is conditional...
I believe Jesus gave the parable of two sons. One son said he would do his father's will, but in reality did not. The other son told his father that he would not obey him, but in reality did what his father told him to do.
Jesus asked the question of which pleased their father.
[And this last story may have been about servants doing their master's will -- it is basically the same.]
True, but by supporting abortion these Catholic politicians have renounced Jesus by their acts. The Church has the responsibility of telling them they need to repent or face the eternal consequences. Cardinal O'Malley has sounded the watchman's warning. It won't be he who will be held accountable for their blood.
I don't think they're listening, though...they've stored up too much vainglory for themselves to care. Besides most of them are lawyers so they probably figure they can repent at the last minute and failing that, argue their way into Paradise.
God is merciful, but He's not stupid.