Help with a gnawing worry

[DanoCleveland]

For a while now I’ve had this worry in the back of mind that one day i’ll wake up to find that the Catholic Church has become a small and insignificant thing. I’ll find that central and south america are overrun with protestants, and that non catholic churches have taken over in Africa and Asia, while Europe and North America have become secularized. I know I’m being irrational and that worrying is a waste of time, but it still bothers me. Thoughts/advice?

 

[Trishie]

These thoughts that you have, see them as your invitation to pray for these intentions.
Worry only harms, prayer trusts in God knowing that in His own time God can heal this world.
Trust in Jesus’ promise in Matthew 16:18 when he speaks to Peter our first pope: " And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Turn your worry into prayer for the Church and the world.
As Saint Pio told us, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”

God bless you, and grant you hope and peace

 

[crystal_waters]

For a while now I’ve had this worry in the back of mind that one day i’ll wake up to find that the Catholic Church has become a small and insignificant thing. I’ll find that central and south america are overrun with protestants, and that non catholic churches have taken over in Africa and Asia, while Europe and North America have become secularized. I know I’m being irrational and that worrying is a waste of time, but it still bothers me. Thoughts/advice?

Pray for the conversions of all those people…and dont worry what others do or do not do…

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Christ will never abandon his Church. As a matter of fact, despite problems in certain countries, the Church is growing worldwide.

 

[TRH1292]

Things in South America are much better than you think. Yes, a lot of people have left the Catholic Church, but the Catholic Church in South and Central America is invigorated as never before. For ages it was really rather stale. Mass attendance has never been higher down there.
In addition, the Church is growing at a phenomenal rate in Africa.

Pray for the conversion of the world, and leave it in God’s hands.

 

[China123]

I have also heard the Church is growing tremendously in Africa and things are seeming to be better for Holy Mother Church worldwide. I see a new vigor even in my own parish. Just pray and repeat “Jesus, I trust in You!”

Lord Jesus Christ, most merciful Saviour of the world, we humbly beseech You, by Your most Sacred Heart, that all the sheep who stray out of Your fold may soon be converted to You, the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls, who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end.
Amen.

 

[jjgigem]

This might sound harsh and please forgive me if it is. Let’s say that your worry becomes a fact one day. Does that change my relationship with Jesus Christ? Absolutely not. We have to remember that the early church existed under the same circumstances in Rome. I need to be willing to die for my belief in Jesus at the hands of others, if necessary, because if I don’t trust Jesus Christ to save me then I have no life. It is not widely reported but there are hundreds of thousands of Catholics living in the Middle East today that face the exact circumstance that you mention. But, they face persecution with faith and courage. Be grateful that you live in a country free of persecution. God bless you and your family.