Vanishing Catholics

Vanishing Catholics | Fr. William P. Clark, OMI | HPR

According to recent demographic surveys, it seems there are presently 30 million people in the U.S. who identify themselves as “former Catholics.” That figure is both surprising, and, for Catholics, disheartening.

Over the past 50 years or so, a profound change, other than that effected by Vatican II, has taken place in the Catholic Church. It might be described as the phenomenon of “vanishing Catholics.” The Canadian philosopher, Charles Taylor, has identified four major challenges facing the Church today. First on his list is the exodus of young adults from the Church.  According to recent demographic surveys, it seems there are presently 30 million people in the U.S. who identify themselves as “former Catholics.” That figure is both surprising, and, for Catholics, disheartening. It represents a little less than 10 percent of the total population of this country. It also means that had those persons remained Catholic, approximately one in three Americans would be identified as Catholic. Only two religious groups represent a larger percentage of the U.S. population: Protestants (cumulatively) and current Catholics.

This phenomenon is disheartening not only for bishops and priests, but also for faithful Catholics generally. Many older Catholics are saddened at the sight of their children and grandchildren abandoning the Church.

Questions naturally arise. What has caused such a massive defection? How might one account for this phenomenon? It hardly seems possible that any single factor could explain a phenomenon of such magnitude. Various reasons for people leaving the Church are well-known.  Many of them have been operative from the earliest times of Christianity. In his first letter to Timothy, St. Paul reminds him that “The Spirit has explicitly said that during the last times some will desert the faith and pay attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines …” (1 Tm 4:1-7).  In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul speaks of dissensions and divisions among the faithful (1 Cor 1:10-16).

From the first centuries up to modern times, there have been doctrinal differences (heresies) which led to great numbers separating themselves from the Roman Catholic Church. Many others have left the Church for what can be described as practical reasons, rather than doctrinal differences.

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Comments

[Pat McGroin]

Catholics are disappearing because the Church has lost its identity. Cowardly, feckless bishops do not correct or discipline rogue priests. The Church has morphed into a "social issue" organization. STOP TALKING ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING AND IMMIGRATION POLICY FROM THE PULPIT ON SUNDAYS! Your job is to help save souls and get people to Heaven. Stop the liberal garbage and get back to basics. Stop worrying about being criticized or being "unpopular" and start your Doing your Divine duty!

[Mark]

More traditional orders are growing, hmmm, I wonder why?! Could it be that the horrible job of teaching the faith since VII is a part of the overall decline, you bet. Most "Catholics" don't even know why they are Catholic so why not leave. Young and old alike want the truth and there is only one Truth! Bishops, clergy and lay...stand up! Proclaim the Gospel and save souls. That's your duty and the people will respond...and come back! The Church exists to save souls...not promote secular agenda's... Heaven and Hell are real and eternity is set they day you die... Have you heard a parish priest address this in the last 20 or 30 years? If your parish has, it is probably growing. Sadly, most don't. We are the Church that Christ founded...let's start acting like it!