Actually, I am hearing there is a large exodus of Protestants leaving their churches and becoming Catholic… which I think replace the number of Catholics who leave the Church.Does anyone know the current state of the Catholic Church in America with respect to Catholics leaving to join Protestant or Bible Christian churches?
Has there been any improvement on this front in, say, the last 10 years?
Yes, Manny; a friend of mine told me that 30 people were metaphorically knocking on the RCIA door at her parish because of their witness to the death and celebration of the life of the Holy Father.Actually, I am hearing there is a large exodus of Protestants leaving their churches and becoming Catholic… which I think replace the number of Catholics who leave the Church.
Cite Article:
catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0252.html
I also heard that since the Pope John Paul II’s death, there has been a increase in converts going to the Catholic Church.
If that be so why in the land of the Buffalo Bills has the parish closed all bur three Catholic Elamentary School and several High Schools in a donemitly Catholic county, Why in a little city south of here closed two of their three churches. Aren’t you catholic having babies any more.Actually, I am hearing there is a large exodus of Protestants leaving their churches and becoming Catholic… which I think replace the number of Catholics who leave the Church.
Cite Article:
catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0252.html
I also heard that since the Pope John Paul II’s death, there has been a increase in converts going to the Catholic Church.
I also have heard that. In listening to Catholic Answers Live Podcast, a caller was asking why her Parish is closing. In most cases, the diocese in small Catholic Community lack the funding to continue to support them.If that be so why in the land of the Buffalo Bills has the parish closed all bur three Catholic Elamentary School and several High Schools in a donemitly Catholic county, Why in a little city south of here closed two of their three churches. Aren’t you catholic having babies any more.
allischalmers
There are Catholics leaving the Catholic Church due to their own misunderstanding of the Church. Many leave because the Catholic Church is very strict when it comes to moral teachings. While Protestants tend to be soft on morality like fornication, divorce, the use of contraception, etc.Thanks for your replies.
I note that the article Manny posted was from 1999. I wonder if the trends recorded in that article have continued?
Also, what are the numbers like going the other way – I mean Catholic to Protestant?
I know that in the early 1980s, when Keating’s “Catholicism and Fundamentalism” came out, the numbers were quite dramatic. If I recall correctly, several hundred thousand American Catholics were leaving the Church each year to become Bible Christians.
Have we stemmed the tide? I would think if there was good news out there, I would be hearing about it through Catholic Answers?
The problem is the low attendance at Mass nowadays. People might as well leave the Catholic Church if they don’t bother to go to Mass except on Christmas and Easter. They are Catholic in name only, not in practice.Per Georgetown University…US Catholic Population in:
1960 - 45.6 million
1975 - 48.7 million
1985 - 52.3 million
1995 - 57.4 million
2000 - 59.9 million
2005 - 64.8 million
Does not sound to me like Catholics are leaving the Church in droves… hmmm.
I would imagine that the ratio of “inactivity” would be the same between your church and ours. The relative numbers are still up for the Catholic Church.I would think a much larger problem than defection to another denomination would be the inactive Catholics. I’ve heard it described as that Catholics stay loyal to the brand; they just might have other priorities than Mass and the Sacraments.
The majority of Catholics throughout the world is that they are Caferia Catholics. They are Catholics by name not practice.I would imagine that the ratio of “inactivity” would be the same between your church and ours. The relative numbers are still up for the Catholic Church.
Glass houses and stones?
I would agree with you completely. This may be displaying our dirty laundry in public, but I doubt it would suprise anyone…The average catechesis of parishioners is horrible. We must do everything that we can to better educate our own on the fullness of our faith.The majority of Catholics throughout the world is that they are Caferia Catholics.
Evangelizing Catholics within the Church is in desperate need. It is just as important as preaching the Gospel to non-Catholics.Hi,
I guess numbers dont mean much if they dont practice their faith. I have no clue about numbers of evangelicals , but I do know they are more loudly heard because they are practicing their faith and evangelizing to the world. Evangelizing is much more important then numbers. Im sure all catholics would agree. We need to get the message out there of who Jesus Christ is. AMEN
AFH
Church attendance in Protestant Churches is also downHi,
I guess numbers dont mean much if they dont practice their faith. I have no clue about numbers of evangelicals , but I do know they are more loudly heard because they are practicing their faith and evangelizing to the world. Evangelizing is much more important then numbers. Im sure all catholics would agree. We need to get the message out there of who Jesus Christ is. AMEN
AFH
Yeah Im sure you right. I have no idea. I just know my church had to add on because we had so many new families. I guess we are dooing something right.Church attendance in Protestant Churches is also down
Church attendence # varies from place.Yeah Im sure you right. I have no idea. I just know my church had to add on because we had so many new families. I guess we are dooing something right.
Im sorry I gotta go to a boy scout pack meeting.
See ya later
AFH