New study shows mass exodus from Catholic Church in Latin America [CWN]

[CWN_News]

While 84% of the people in Latin America say that they were raised as Catholics, only 69% identify themselves as Catholics today. Protestant denominations in the region have grown …

More…

 

[ProVobis]

On issues such as abortion and homosexuality, the former Catholics now worshipping in Evangelical congregations were more likely to support traditional Christian moral teachings than those still identifying themselves as Catholics.

This is sad.

 

[RGCheek]

It is outrageous.

The facts are on the side of the Catholic church. Where the church fails to retain people is in 1) challenging them to sacrifice to improve their faith in ways that means something more to them.

1. The clergy need to match their behavior to their doctrines. IF having mortal sin damns one to hell, having confession available for one hour each week implies one does not take the whole thing seriously.
2. The leadership of the Catholic church is moving in two different directions. One wants to ‘modernize’ and accommodate the popular culture while the other sees this as betrayal of Truth. This chaos in direction is confusing and anti-spiritual to a great many people.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I have often thought that Latin America has been insufficiently evangelized. They seem to rely heavily on missionary societies, which implies that insufficient effort has been expended on developing vocations among those living there.

We have many Hispanics in our diocese, but depend heavily on non-Hispanic clergy learning Spanish to meet their needs.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

This study raises more questions than it answers. Or perhaps it’s merely that the summary is lacking.

I wonder how many of the people who leave the Catholic Church for Protestant communities have access to the sacraments regularly. One country mentioned is Brazil and I know there is a huge shortage of priests there. Are Protestant clergy more widely available in the country? If so, I can certainly imagine that if someone is given the choice of attending Mass, receiving communion, going to confession, etc. several times a year when a visiting priest comes through versus attending a worship service every week or two, they might well choose the more readily available option. Perhaps the Church needs to look at other options for these people.

 

[ProVobis]

I have often thought that Latin America has been insufficiently evangelized. They seem to rely heavily on missionary societies, which implies that insufficient effort has been expended on developing vocations among those living there.

It’s almost laughable that missionaries are needed in Catholic countries but you’re right.

 

[chero23]

This study raises more questions than it answers. Or perhaps it’s merely that the summary is lacking.

I wonder how many of the people who leave the Catholic Church for Protestant communities have access to the sacraments regularly. One country mentioned is Brazil and I know there is a huge shortage of priests there. Are Protestant clergy more widely available in the country? If so, I can certainly imagine that if someone is given the choice of attending Mass, receiving communion, going to confession, etc. several times a year when a visiting priest comes through versus attending a worship service every week or two, they might well choose the more readily available option. Perhaps the Church needs to look at other options for these people.

Theirs a saying that says, people show up once a month just like a priest or bishop.

We do need more priests. We need more deacons, a lot of these people love their faith, but many unfortunately are not well taught in the faith and when they are cornered, many feel the Church has left them.

 

[sirach2v4]

It’s almost laughable that missionaries are needed in Catholic countries but you’re right.

that’s why we need them in the US right now. We’re certainly not a Catholic country. Our church is crumbling.