Dilemma-- should I become Catholic in spite of postmodernism and liberalism in the church?

[RosaryCrusader]

Stillwandering et al.,

The above mentioned articles are based upon letters and statements from the appropriate office of the Vatican (Ecclesia Dei) by Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos himself. Your wanting to run this by a lay apologist in lieu of listening to the Vatican is more than a little unsettling. Rome has repeated consistently that you can fulfill your Sunday obligation at SSPX Chapels without fear of sin or scruple and the excommunications have been lifted which were only on the 4 Bishops and never the Priests. While it’s true they are not incardinated into a Diocesan structure they’re not outside the Church nor schismatic either - doctrinal clarifications with the Vatican are in progress. Given the OP’s situation I would not hesitate in the least to seek refuge at the SSPX.

Jurisdiction is required for confession and marriage but under canon 1335 a member of the faithful can approach an SSPX Priest for this, validly, for “any just cause.” Needing solid spiritual advice in the confessional is certainly a just cause.

 

[JanetF]

My advice is to buy a copy of the catholic catechism and a copy of “This is the Faith” to start with. If you have questions about what the church teaches, the catechism will answer it.

You absolutely cannot be pro-choice and be catholic. You certainly can be conservative and be catholic (conservatives love tradition after all). Good luck in your journey.

Janet
Either live as a Catholic Christian or don’t, but stop trying to remodel the Church to make it more appealing to the world. Learn your Catholic faith, understand it correctly and LIVE IT out in public without apologizing. Stop compromising the truth. Quit trying to rewrite Church teaching to bring it “up to speed” with modern times. The Church is not out of step with society; society is out of step with the Church. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and thus His Church is timeless, ageless and always perfectly relevant. It is not the Church who needs to change her thinking; it is society that needs to CORRECT its thinking.

 

[StillWondering]

Stillwandering et al.,

The above mentioned articles are based upon letters and statements from the appropriate office of the Vatican (Ecclesia Dei) by Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos himself. Your wanting to run this by a lay apologist in lieu of listening to the Vatican is more than a little unsettling. Rome has repeated consistently that you can fulfill your Sunday obligation at SSPX Chapels without fear of sin or scruple and the excommunications have been lifted which were only on the 4 Bishops and never the Priests. While it’s true they are not incardinated into a Diocesan structure they’re not outside the Church nor schismatic either - doctrinal clarifications with the Vatican are in progress. Given the OP’s situation I would not hesitate in the least to seek refuge at the SSPX.

Jurisdiction is required for confession and marriage but under canon 1335 a member of the faithful can approach an SSPX Priest for this, validly, for “any just cause.” Needing solid spiritual advice in the confessional is certainly a just cause.

I understand what you are saying. I did not say they are outside the Church or any such things. What I’m saying is that in the article I read, it does not talk about the faculties SSPX priests have or does not. I am not saying listen to a laity over the Vatican. The use of the words “in lieu” is your words to describe what I wrote. This is not true. The interview you linked are not official Vatican documents that I can see.

Can. 1335 If a censure prohibits the celebration of sacraments or sacramentals or the placing of an act of governance, the prohibition is suspended whenever it is necessary to care for the faithful in danger of death. If a latae sententiae censure has not been declared, the prohibition is also suspended whenever a member of the faithful requests a sacrament or sacramental or an act of governance; a person is permitted to request this for any just cause.

In the case above, is the SSPX under a latae sententiae censure? And is the person seeking the SSPX clergy of her free will? Also is this going to a regular schedule confession or is she making an appointment to request consultation?

 

[Cider]

I’m in a dilemma and would appreciate advice and/or information.

I’m in RCIA and considering becoming Roman Catholic, partly because I got disgusted by hearing blatant radical feminism and New Age fluff preached by the clergy at the Episcopal church I was attending (not to mention the national leader of the US Episcopal church). But I’ve become increasingly dismayed because the RCIA teachers, including the priest, are showing similar tendencies: they use the same annoying so-called “gender-inclusive language” to refer to God; last week one of the teachers referred to the “Sophia” passages in the bible as supposed evidence for a female God (as far as I know those passages are actually a poetic device personifying wisdom but not remotely referring to an actual god or part of the Godhead, and I spoke up in class and said so); also last week the same teacher said that you don’t have to agree with the church on everything, and specifically brought up abortion and said that you can be “pro-choice” and Catholic.

One of the big reasons I waited as long as I did to even consider officially becoming Catholic was that I used to be pro-abortion, and while I like a lot about the church I didn’t want to be a hypocrite. I’ve recently had a major change of heart regarding abortion, so it sort of annoys me to finally come to RCIA only to be told essentially that it doesn’t matter; that you can supposedly believe any kind of ultra-liberal fluff and still be Catholic.

I’m also disheartened by things like Catholic Campaign for Human Dignity supporting far-left causes (including until recently ACORN); the huge number of radical feminists in church leadership; and the fact that several national church organizations support Obamacare. (I’m glad the Stupak amendment passed, but it’s still an abomination that raises serious concerns about subsidiarity, euthanasia, and rationing.)

So, did I just happen to walk into the most liberal parish in the US? Is this an anomaly? Are there any conservative parishes in Portland Oregon? Is it just that the US church has a lot of heresy, but the Vatican is still true to tradition? Is Roman Catholicism still the faith of JRR Tolkien and GK Chesterton? Can I be politically conservative and still become Catholic? Is there any hope?

I’m really not trying to mean or snarky; I’m in a dilemma and have been for a while. I am very interested in being part of the Catholic faith…but I’m leaving the US Episcopal church in search of an ark of safety from postmodernism, feminism, crypto-Marxism, state-worship, etc… The Continuing Anglicans (the ones that follow the Affirmation of Saint Louis of 1977) seem to be much freer of these trends, but that’s because they recently split from the US church and from Canterbury, and not all Continuing Anglican churches are even in communion with each other. So, again, a dilemma.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Have you been to fisheaters? Link is in my sig. But I think you will find this page helpful as it asks and addresses the very questions you posted

fisheaters.com/traditionalcatholicism.html

 

[wanner47]

From what I understand, SSPX sacraments are valid but illicit. A Catholic in good standing cannot fulfill his/her Sunday obligation at a SSPX mass, and cannot licitly receive any sacraments unless there is danger of death.

Source: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=85351

 

[Cider]

Unfortunately the situation you described is commonly experienced by many, my wife included. I’ve read of many posts here talking about finding a “conservative” parish but what your soul is yearning for is Truth, beauty, and reverence, and sound doctrine. I would urge you to immediately call your local FSSP or SSPX and get out of the RCIA program. Traditional Catholic Priests will teach you one on one or in small groups, depending on the need. There is no need to subject your soul to liberal (aka modernist) poison. If I had to do it all over again this is the route I would’ve recommended to my wife - but I was ignorant of this option at the time.

You can get in touch with a traditional Catholic Priest at these locations - hopefully there is one close to you - even if there isn’t it would be worth a long drive to get a spiritual Father who cares only for the salvation of your soul.

FSSP:
Does not appear to have an apostulate in OR.

SSPX

EUGENE
St. Thomas Becket Chapel
541-935-8608
25269 E. Bolton Road

VENETA
Sunday 7:15am & 9:00am (High Mass)
Daily 7:15am
(& when school is in 11:15am)
Saturday 8:00am
First Friday 7:15am & 7:00pm

PORTLAND
Our Lady of Fatima Church
503-246-6212
4530 SW Garden Home Road
Sunday 8:00am & 11:00am
Monday 9:00am*
Saturday 9:00am*
*(please call 360-944-5233 to verify)

KLAMATH FALLS
St. Therese Chapel
541-884-3158
12371 Keno Worden Road
KENO
1st & 5th Sunday 10:30am

I second this suggestion. There is also Institute of Christ the King but alas they aren’t in Oregon either.

 

[bpbasilphx]

\SSPX are not in schism\

On two separate occasions just this year, Pope Benedict has said that the clergy of SSPX do NOT exercise any legitimate ministry in the Catholic Church.

 

[m134e5]

I’m in RCIA and considering becoming Roman Catholic, partly because I got disgusted by hearing blatant radical feminism and New Age fluff preached by the clergy at the Episcopal church I was attending (not to mention the national leader of the US Episcopal church).

But I’ve become increasingly dismayed because the RCIA teachers, including the priest, are showing similar tendencies: they use the same annoying so-called “gender-inclusive language” to refer to God;

I’m sorry. If it makes you feel any better, the dioceses and religious communities that are more faithful to the authentic teaching of the Church are attracting vocations- the ones that aren’t faithful are not attracting vocations. In not too long, their crowd will be retired with few to replace them- and a younger, more faithful group of Catholics will be running things.

last week one of the teachers referred to the “Sophia” passages in the bible as supposed evidence for a female God (as far as I know those passages are actually a poetic device personifying wisdom but not remotely referring to an actual god or part of the Godhead, and I spoke up in class and said so);

It’s pretty sad when a student in the class knows more than the teacher, but I’m glad you were there to speak up- for the sake of those who might take the teacher at their word. God led you there for a reason- remember that.

also last week the same teacher said that you don’t have to agree with the church on everything,

Just because you aren’t forced to do something does not mean there are no consequences. Adam and Eve weren’t forced to obey God. They had a clear choice- and they chose to disobey. That choice had consequences. (I wouldn’t bring that story up to the teacher, she probably doesn’t believe in it).

and specifically brought up abortion and said that you can be “pro-choice” and Catholic.

One of the big reasons I waited as long as I did to even consider officially becoming Catholic was that I used to be pro-abortion, and while I like a lot about the church I didn’t want to be a hypocrite.

That’s good. If more people would do the same thing as you, there wouldn’t be as many problems in the Church. It isn’t good to claim to be something when you can’t think or act like it.

I’ve recently had a major change of heart regarding abortion, so it sort of annoys me to finally come to RCIA only to be told essentially that it doesn’t matter; that you can supposedly believe any kind of ultra-liberal fluff and still be Catholic.

You were told wrong.

I’m also disheartened by things like Catholic Campaign for Human Dignity supporting far-left causes (including until recently ACORN); the huge number of radical feminists in church leadership; and the fact that several national church organizations support Obamacare. (I’m glad the Stupak amendment passed, but it’s still an abomination that raises serious concerns about subsidiarity, euthanasia, and rationing.)

You are not alone in your frustration.

So,did I just happen to walk into the most liberal parish in the US? Is this an anomaly?

I haven’t encountered a parish that bad, but I’ve been lucky. I think God knew that when I was joining the Church that my faith was weak, and hid it from me- I wasn’t ready to understand how much heresy had come up in the Church over the last several years.

Are there any conservative parishes in Portland Oregon?

I imagine so. Find out where most of the seminarians for the diocese come from. That will help you find a place to go. Meanwhile, pray that a bishop (other than mine) will come to your diocese to turn things around there.

Is it just that the US church has a lot of heresy, but the Vatican is still true to tradition?

More or less

Is Roman Catholicism still the faith of JRR Tolkien and GK Chesterton?

Yes- and it may be hard to see that where you are, but there are places that still teach and celebrate the Faith as the great thinkers and writers of the past saw it.

Can I be politically conservative and still become Catholic?

Yes. Just remember that we have a responsibility to care for the needy (the corporal works of mercy) of society, and we will be judged by how we treat them. If your conservative ideal is realized and the government is downsized, and many programs are handed over to the private sector, be prepared to help the private sector pick up the slack.

Is there any hope?

Yes

I’m really not trying to mean or snarky; I’m in a dilemma and have been for a while. I am very interested in being part of the Catholic faith…but I’m leaving the US Episcopal church in search of an ark of safety from postmodernism, feminism, crypto-Marxism, state-worship, etc… The Continuing Anglicans (the ones that follow the Affirmation of Saint Louis of 1977) seem to be much freer of these trends, but that’s because they recently split from the US church and from Canterbury, and not all Continuing Anglican churches are even in communion with each other. So, again, a dilemma.

Theologically, the Church is safe. This side of heaven, there will be problems wherever you go- so you might come across people who preach something other than the Church’s teachings. Don’t run away from the Church because of it. Learn about the Faith yourself. Take responsibility for it yourself. Pray that church leaders will uphold the Truth. Pray that God will put others in your life to support you when you need it.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Claire from DE forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_khaki/viewpost.gif
*I wish posters to the forums would show locations in their profiles. **Perhaps there are more disobedient Catholics ***in certain parts of the country? In my diocese we aren’t perfect but I haven’t experienced the outrageous ‘liberal’ agenda in parishes here.

Alex, maybe the parish RCIA teacher or priest isn’t faithful to church teaching (and you should challenge that) but there are probably many faithful believers in the parish. Either stay there and make a difference through prayer, penance, and standing up for the truth or go through RCIA in another parish. But don’t give up on the Catholic Church. Once you come into the Church you aren’t required to stay in the parish where you went through RCIA. If the Lord is leading you into the Church, you should trust and obey him.

Did you mean to say Bishops, Archbishops, or were you talking about the rank and file?
And if you were talking about the rank and file, how would you have access to their fidelity? I wasn’t. I said there are probably many faithful believers in Alex’s parish.



I can understand you wishing to know about an area where you could easily research the bishop’s stance. I don’t want to research a bishop’s stance.

But, the actual day in and day out rank and file? Where would you get that information from? I have no idea.

I just wanted to point out that it’s likely that many of the people who are showing up for mass every Sunday in Alex’s parish are doing so because they love the Lord and because they know they need to go to mass on Sunday. They are responding to God’s grace. Many may not even know the errors that the RCIA leader is teaching. So maybe God has led him there to help change things.

By ‘disobedient Catholics’ I meant priests, catechists, and parish members that outwardly and vocally dissent from church teachings or disciplines. I read in newspapers and on the internet about things happening in California, Oregon, and a few other places that I haven’t read about happening in Delaware. I don’t mean that we aren’t also sinners. But I don’t see the in-your-face defiance of church teaching that is reported in some other places. I’ve been to mass, conferences, catechist inservices, lector training, devotions, charismatic prayer groups, etc. at a good number of parishes here and have NEVER, thank God, heard any ordained or lay presenter teach or propose something forbidden by the Church.

It is helpful to know where a poster is located. I have heard there are some problems in Oregon but I can’t address them since I live on the opposite coast. If Alex lived in a state close to me, perhaps I could suggest a parish where he might find a better RCIA program.

In any case, the fact that sin and dissent exist even in the Catholic Church, while discouraging, should not prevent a person from becoming Catholic.

 

[Cider]

By ‘disobedient Catholics’ I meant priests, catechists, and parish members that outwardly and vocally dissent from church teachings or disciplines. I read in newspapers and on the internet about things happening in California, Oregon, and a few other places that I haven’t read about happening in Delaware. I

VP Biden is from Delaware, and his voting record proves his dissent from Catholic teachings on life. His Bishop is on record saying he won’t refuse him communion.
lifenews.com/state3635.html

 

[wanner47]

VP Biden is from Delaware, and his voting record proves his dissent from Catholic teachings on life. His Bishop is on record saying he won’t refuse him communion.
lifenews.com/state3635.html

But then you have bishops such as Bishop Tobin of RI, who has publicly told Congressman Partrick Kennedy that you cannot be pro-choice and remain in full communion with the Church:

thericatholic.com/opinion/detail.html?sub_id=2632

OP, I would send that article to your RCIA instructors. Sounds like they could benefit from it.

 

[Like]

I’m in a dilemma and would appreciate advice and/or information.

I’m in RCIA and considering becoming Roman Catholic, partly because I got disgusted by hearing blatant radical feminism and New Age fluff preached by the clergy at the Episcopal church I was attending (not to mention the national leader of the US Episcopal church). But I’ve become increasingly dismayed because the RCIA teachers, including the priest, are showing similar tendencies: they use the same annoying so-called “gender-inclusive language” to refer to God; last week one of the teachers referred to the “Sophia” passages in the bible as supposed evidence for a female God (as far as I know those passages are actually a poetic device personifying wisdom but not remotely referring to an actual god or part of the Godhead, and **I spoke up in class **and said so); also last week the same teacher said that you don’t have to agree with the church on everything, and specifically brought up abortion and said that you can be “pro-choice” and Catholic.

One of the big reasons I waited as long as I did to even consider officially becoming Catholic was that I used to be pro-abortion, and while I like a lot about the church I didn’t want to be a hypocrite. I’ve recently had a major change of heart regarding abortion, so it sort of annoys me to finally come to RCIA only to be told essentially that it doesn’t matter; that you can supposedly believe any kind of ultra-liberal fluff and still be Catholic.

So, did I just happen to walk into the most liberal parish in the US? Is this an anomaly? Are there any conservative parishes in Portland Oregon? Is it just that the US church has a lot of heresy, but the Vatican is still true to tradition? Is Roman Catholicism still the faith of JRR Tolkien and GK Chesterton? Can I be politically conservative and still become Catholic? Is there any hope?

I’m really not trying to mean or snarky; I’m in a dilemma and have been for a while. I am very interested in being part of the Catholic faith…but I’m leaving the US Episcopal church in search of an ark of safety from postmodernism, feminism, crypto-Marxism, state-worship, etc… The Continuing Anglicans (the ones that follow the Affirmation of Saint Louis of 1977) seem to be much freer of these trends, but that’s because they recently split from the US church and from Canterbury, and not all Continuing Anglican churches are even in communion with each other. So, again, a dilemma.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Hi Alex, I was going to say, have a talk with the priest, but if you think he is showing similar tendencies then maybe not.

I would like you to send this letter to the diocese (Bishop) or at least contact them to see if they are aware of the teachings.

What was their response when you spoke up?

I’m also disheartened by things like Catholic Campaign for Human Dignity supporting far-left causes (including until recently ACORN); the huge number of radical feminists in church leadership; and the fact that several national church organizations support Obamacare. (I’m glad the Stupak amendment passed, but it’s still an abomination that raises serious concerns about subsidiarity, euthanasia, and rationing.)

Alex, have you seen this site reference the CCHD? reformcchdnow.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=2

And if you agree with them here’s what you can do.
reformcchdnow.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=4

But , please do not give up on the Church! You need the Church and the Church needs you!

 

[truevaticanii]

I’m in a dilemma and would appreciate advice and/or information.

I’m in RCIA and considering becoming Roman Catholic, partly because I got disgusted by hearing blatant radical feminism and New Age fluff preached by the clergy at the Episcopal church I was attending (not to mention the national leader of the US Episcopal church). But I’ve become increasingly dismayed because the RCIA teachers, including the priest, are showing similar tendencies: they use the same annoying so-called “gender-inclusive language” to refer to God; last week one of the teachers referred to the “Sophia” passages in the bible as supposed evidence for a female God (as far as I know those passages are actually a poetic device personifying wisdom but not remotely referring to an actual god or part of the Godhead, and I spoke up in class and said so); also last week the same teacher said that you don’t have to agree with the church on everything, and specifically brought up abortion and said that you can be “pro-choice” and Catholic.

One of the big reasons I waited as long as I did to even consider officially becoming Catholic was that I used to be pro-abortion, and while I like a lot about the church I didn’t want to be a hypocrite. I’ve recently had a major change of heart regarding abortion, so it sort of annoys me to finally come to RCIA only to be told essentially that it doesn’t matter; that you can supposedly believe any kind of ultra-liberal fluff and still be Catholic.

I’m also disheartened by things like Catholic Campaign for Human Dignity supporting far-left causes (including until recently ACORN); the huge number of radical feminists in church leadership; and the fact that several national church organizations support Obamacare. (I’m glad the Stupak amendment passed, but it’s still an abomination that raises serious concerns about subsidiarity, euthanasia, and rationing.)

So, did I just happen to walk into the most liberal parish in the US? Is this an anomaly? Are there any conservative parishes in Portland Oregon? Is it just that the US church has a lot of heresy, but the Vatican is still true to tradition? Is Roman Catholicism still the faith of JRR Tolkien and GK Chesterton? Can I be politically conservative and still become Catholic? Is there any hope?

I’m really not trying to mean or snarky; I’m in a dilemma and have been for a while. I am very interested in being part of the Catholic faith…but I’m leaving the US Episcopal church in search of an ark of safety from postmodernism, feminism, crypto-Marxism, state-worship, etc… The Continuing Anglicans (the ones that follow the Affirmation of Saint Louis of 1977) seem to be much freer of these trends, but that’s because they recently split from the US church and from Canterbury, and not all Continuing Anglican churches are even in communion with each other. So, again, a dilemma.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

I’ve researched sedevacantism, SSPX-ism, etc… they might seem like they’re really making sense at times, but if you stop dwelling on their lies and research Vatican II from a traditional CATHOLIC point of view… you won’t even consider following their ways… their ways are almost as bad as the modernistic ways of many Catholic parishes who are aligned with the Pope and the Church… study Vatican II through the eyes of someone like Fr. Fessio, S.J. …or write to an FSSP priest about your issues with VII and modernism (not that they are the same)… the SSPXers, sedevacantists, liberalists (modernists), etc. are all heretical… they all try to tell us that Vatican II teaches something that it simply does not… though many think that it does teach these things because they don’t actually at least skim through the VII documents… at least most things Pope Benedict has said about VII are clear enough that you can trust that you’ll interpret him correctly… just read stuff from www.vatican.va and other good CATHOLIC sites–OH! especially check out www.ewtn.com

…this comment is assuming that the person who si telling you these modernistic things believes that since the time of VII, people believe in what he tells you…

but if you want good, orthodox parishes to enter into the church at… go to the FSSP, the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, The Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem, or another traditional parish.

 

[Cider]

the SSPXers, … are all heretical

	    We are what you 		    once were.
	    We believe what you once believed.
	    We worship as you once worshipped.
	    If you were right then, we are right now.
	    If we are wrong now, you were wrong then.

 

[wanner47]

the SSPXers, … are all heretical

	    We are what you 		    once were.
	    We believe what you once believed.
	    We worship as you once worshipped.
	    If you were right then, we are right now.
	    If we are wrong now, you were wrong then.

Sounds nice, but not quite true. The SSPX has ceased believing in the authority of the Pope and the Magisterium. Thus, your first line is already false.

 

[Cider]

this argument has been had here so many times the horse has been canonized. If you want to have it, use the search feature you can beat the dead horse on your own.

 

[wanner47]

this argument has been had here so many times the horse has been canonized. If you want to have it, use the search feature you can beat the dead horse on your own.

Obviously it hasn’t been discussed enough if you think it’s acceptable to advocate SSPX masses as a legitimate alternative for the OP, when they are not.

OP, I recommend checking out Fr. Z’s blog - www.wdtprs.com

He’s a big proponent of both the TLM and obedience to the Pope.

 

[Filioque]

Well there are very important differences between the Episcopal Church and the Catholic Church. First of all Anglicansim itself, at least since the Elizabethan Compromise has been a movement that really has very little dogmatic stability. Having worked with several Anglican (TAC) and a few ECUSA clergy, there is only a thin thread that unites them. All of these ideas are acceptable to the Church, even if not to those who dissent from one doctrine or the other.

I know TAC priests who use the Anglican or American Missal, Gregorian canon, and uphold the Immaculate Conception as well as the Assumption. They teach Seven Sacraments, and Purgatory. In the same parish the curate refers to the above as the Immaculate Deception, and the Presumption of the Pope. Yet neither has any qualms about an open communion with anyone who has the title Christian, allowing for the strangest of beliefs to hold equal value.

Liberal Parishes, kooky RICA or clergy, yup, like the tares among the wheat as Jesus warned us of, they exist, but they do so in defiance of near 2000 years of an uncompromised Gospel. One day they will wither away, as they seem to be doing now. Some with a final charge, in greater defiance than before, others quietly. But in all things there remains our Lord’s promise that He will remain with His Church to the end of time.

 

[yoopersenior]

Thank you to all of you for your posts.

What I want to find is a church that has an active body of people who live their lives according to the commandments of Christ, and are not ashamed to say so. You know, even small groups can accomplish alot with God’s help

I am fortunate enough to live near a church with the Tridentine Mass, but that does not necessarily guarantee anything…or does it?

I have a choice of going to RCIA in a parish within a mile of where I live, or driving 8 miles to the Latin rite.

What do you suggest?

I know that Christ has been leading me in the direction of the Catholic church for some time, and will make it clear what I should do. And advice from others helps, too.

I am glad to see young people being traditional. Before I started doing this research I was afraid that all the traditional Catholics were of retirement age, as I am.

 

[StillWondering]

I am glad to see young people being traditional. Before I started doing this research I was afraid that all the traditional Catholics were of retirement age, as I am.

The good news is that every generation will have strong orthodox Catholic youths. Since eventually all youth will become those that are retired. And so without orthodox youths, the Church will crumble. But as Christ promised and 200 years can testify, the Catholic Church is here to stay =).