Losing Catholics

[Marie5890]

That same faith, however, is expressed differently in language and culture unfortunately. And lex orandi, lex credendi and nothing becomes common and we become distant from the Church in China and elsewhere.

But the commonness is the faith itself, not the expression of it.

JMO.

 

[ConstantineTG]

But the commonness is the faith itself, not the expression of it.

JMO.

Well said.

And if we will question the difference of expressions of the faith, then we should question each of the other Rites of the Church which definitely has a different expression than the Latin Rite. Are the Greeks wrong? Are the Syriacs wrong? Are the Copts wrong?

 

[ProVobis]

But the commonness is the faith itself, not the expression of it.

Stated that way, it becomes like gravity, which is also common to all though not everyone sees it the same way. So I can’t disagree with that premise, but it doesn’t say anything particularly meaningful.

 

[Marie5890]

Stated that way, it becomes like gravity, which is also common to all though not everyone sees it the same way. So I can’t disagree with that premise, but it doesn’t say anything particularly meaningful.

But for you, it doesn’t say anything meaningful. Which shows diversity again, in humanity.

For others, they may find it meaningful.

 

[TimothyH]

They are coming to North Carolina!

Dave, how is the Catholic community by you up in Moorsville?

I know Greenville SC has a thriving Catholic community as well as some of the other cities throuout the southeast. I can tell you that Atlanta is booming. We will be the largest Church in the 13 metro Atlanta counties within the next seven or eight years. We have lots of vocations too.

I think all those people who are no longer in the pews up in Boston, NYC and Detriot had to go somewhere, right? With the laws they are passing up there, it is driving everyone down here. Vermont lost 20% of their Catholics in the first five years after same sex union was allowed.

-Tim-

 

[Marie5890]

Dave, how is the Catholic community by you up in Moorsville?

I know Greenville SC has a thriving Catholic community as well as some of the other cities throuout the southeast. I can tell you that Atlanta is booming. We will be the largest Church in the 13 metro Atlanta counties within the next seven or eight years. We have lots of vocations too.

I think all those people who are no longer in the pews up in Boston, NYC and Detriot had to go somewhere, right? With the laws they are passing up there, it is driving everyone down here. Vermont lost 20% of their Catholics in the first five years after same sex union was allowed.

-Tim-

(Not to butt into your’s and Dave’s conversation but I just read how my archbishop, in the ad limina visit to the Holy Father, reported that our numbers for seminarians now stands at 47 (up from 8 a few years ago) and there is a waiting list. My own parish is strong and vibrant, too)

 

[White_Peony]

Is there anything to do about, for example, the Church rapidly losing members to Protestant denominations in Latin America? (Anywhere, that was just an example)

What are all of your opinions?

Instructing Catholics in what they believe in. I’ve met Protestants that were former Catholics and I ask them why they left and they respond with stuff like, “Catholics worship Mary, and I don’t think that’s right.” If Catholic really were rooted in their faith, they would never leave.

 

[Marie5890]

Instructing Catholics in what they believe in. I’ve met Protestants that were former Catholics and I ask them why they left and they respond with stuff like, “Catholics worship Mary, and I don’t think that’s right.” If Catholic really were rooted in their faith, they would never leave.

I think that is too simplistic of an answer.

But I do think that is one reason, yes.

 

[Bezant]

Is there anything to do about, for example, the Church rapidly losing members to Protestant denominations in Latin America? (Anywhere, that was just an example)

What are all of your opinions?

There’s an awful shortage of priests in Latin America. That’s one problem.

Another: Catholicism’s often diluted down as a cultural thing, or mixed with witchcraft/spirit- ism. As a result, it’s easier to accuse Catholics of idolatry, Marian worship, etc.

However, the image problem’s on us as well. As far as idolatry and Marian worship are concerned, I think there’s a problem the way we present ourselves and the way we distinguish between honour to the saints and honour to God. We have to be careful.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I think that is too simplistic of an answer.

But I do think that is one reason, yes.

Most problems have a simple cause. Of course the proselytism of the Protestants doesn’t help us one bit. But if people are better catechized, they can resist misinformation much better.

 

[ProVobis]

Instructing Catholics in what they believe in. I’ve met Protestants that were former Catholics and I ask them why they left and they respond with stuff like, “Catholics worship Mary, and I don’t think that’s right.” If Catholic really were rooted in their faith, they would never leave.

But this particular problem shows the problems of translations, especially in the English where the Latin “colere” was translated as “to worship” on the Vatican’s own website. It also could mean “to honor, venerate.” Who the translator was is unknown but obviously someone who didn’t realize the ramifications in Anglosphere where Catholics seem to be especially vulnerable. The same website also mentions that the respect we show Mary is distinct from the respect we show God.

 

[ConstantineTG]

But this particular problem shows the problems of translations, especially in the English where the Latin “colere” was translated as “to worship” on the Vatican’s own website. It also could mean “to honor, venerate.” Who the translator was is unknown but obviously someone who didn’t realize the ramifications in Anglosphere where Catholics seem to be especially vulnerable. The same website also mentions that the respect we show Mary is distinct from the respect we show God.

The way people play with semantics, they will make anything to mean anything to fit what they want to believe. Do you think using another word will stop Protestants from making false claims about our veneration and respect to Mary and the Saints?