Although this is quite an old thread, it jumped out at me (as somebody who would have, at one time, considered themselves a Catholic), so I thought I'd add a few comments.
In the first instance, I can sympathise with the position:
I wanted to keep my strategic envelope as "catholic".
At least, in as much as I think I understand what is meant by 'strategic envelope' here.
There was a - admittedly short - time when I thought that maintaining an exterior for the world that was in communion with Rome, whilst reading deeply of The Wave series, The Secret History series and all the recommended reading available, was a sustainable way of life for me also. I was very wrong.
As it turned out for me, it became quite the existential struggle. I'll spare those who may read this the stories of my sleepless nights and forcing myself to Sunday Mass, and skip to what became the central issue for me: Truth, and the danger inherent in participating in lies (to the self and others). It became obvious to me that 'focussing on Pauline theology' and turning a blind eye to the more questionable Church doctrines, was really just me trying to justify to myself not wanting to sacrifice one or two (semi) sacred cows.
In retrospect, making a definitive move away from the Church was 'freeing' on a personal level, but also, I think, was more considerate regarding those who could not understand my decision to "guarantee the damnation of my soul" (they no longer had to worry too much about me, and I no longer had to lie to them).
Anyhoo, none of this is to suggest that nobody should try and maintain a 'strategic envelope' as they see fit, it has just been my tuppence on why it couldn't work for me.