Pope's trip to U.S. expected to clarify his public image

[tparsons]

I read this article and it aggravated me a little. I would like to know where he gets his numbers citing that, and I quote "a demographic shift in American religion that has saddled the church with the largest net loss of one-time members of any major faith" can someone steer me to a link that reflects good numbers in terms of members in our church? The writer told me he got them from a recent pew study.

Thank you!!
Tony

Article link:
star-telegram.com/238/story/579983.html

 

[clmowry]

I read this article and it aggravated me a little. I would like to know where he gets his numbers citing that, and I quote "a demographic shift in American religion that has saddled the church with the largest net loss of one-time members of any major faith"

can someone steer me to a link that reflects good numbers in terms of members in our church? The writer told me he got them from a recent pew study.

Pick a number any number.

“Largest net loss of one-time members”: What does that even mean?

Ok. So, I found the Pew report and “net loss” is defined by the % of the US population who reported that they were raised catholic in the USA (31.4%) vs. the number of adults who say they are catholic today in the (23.9%). So the “net loss” is -7.5%.

It looks like the data is based on a survey of 35,556 adults. i.e. This isn’t actual census type population data.

If you dig a bit deeper in the study, you will find that the conversion numbers look something like this for Childhood faith retention:

No Change Converted To Other Religion To No Religion
Total US 56.5% 30.1% 13.4%
Catholic 68% 18% 14.0%
Protestant 52% 35% 13.0%

Within the 48% of the Protestant community that changed “religions” from childhood to adulthood 28% changed from one Protestant denomination to another. So though protestants change from their childhood denomination at a 16% higher rate than Catholics the summary concludes that Catholics saw the “Largest Net Loss” because most Protestant “conversion” are from one Protestant Denomination to another so the total size of the “Protestant” group doesn’t change all that much.

Here’s another interesting difference Catholics bounce around between 22% and 25% of the populations for 10 year age brackets from 18-70+ while the protestant % of the US populations rises steadily from 43% of the 18-29 group to 62% of the over 70 crowd. The unaffiliated group follows the reverse trend with 25% of the population from 18-29 falling steadily to 8% of the over 70 group.

Chuck

 

[expectthebest]

The Pope shouldn’t be so worried about his public image.

 

[Fidelis]

The Pope shouldn’t be so worried about his public image.

I don’t see anywhere where the Pope says he is “worried about his public image.” It is the writers of the article and the people they are quoting who are projecting that idea.

 

[expectthebest]

I don’t see anywhere where the Pope says he is “worried about his public image.” It is the writers of the article and the people they are quoting who are projecting that idea.

Does the Pope have an organization of publicists? I believe the answer is yes. Thus, he must be concerned with his public image. I’m not sure that’s all wrong. But sometimes I wonder if Popes, especially Paul II, spent so much time trying to be popular that he lost sight of his true job; to show leadership within the Church. With real leadership, would we have all these priest sex scandels? I think not. That’s not to say that Paul wasn’t a holy man. But it is to say that maybe he should be considered as a poor leader. Just as a CEO and company officers take the blame for a failing business, the Pope and his Bishops must take some blame for the vast failings of the Church in recent history.

 

[Ilroy]

Does the Pope have an organization of publicists? I believe the answer is yes. Thus, he must be concerned with his public image. I’m not sure that’s all wrong. But sometimes I wonder if Popes, especially Paul II, spent so much time trying to be popular that he lost sight of his true job; to show leadership within the Church. With real leadership, would we have all these priest sex scandels? I think not. That’s not to say that Paul wasn’t a holy man. But it is to say that maybe he should be considered as a poor leader. Just as a CEO and company officers take the blame for a failing business, the Pope and his Bishops must take some blame for the vast failings of the Church in recent history.

Pope Paul II died, on July 26, 1471. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t the servant of the servants of God when the scandals were going on…

I am also curious where your information as to Pope Benedict XVI having an organization of publicists…you assert it as if it is fact…might be, I don’t know, but you might want to provide a source of your knowledge as to this point…or is it merely an opinion?

 

[Digitonomy]

With real leadership, would we have all these priest sex scandels? I think not. That’s not to say that Paul wasn’t a holy man. But it is to say that maybe he should be considered as a poor leader. Just as a CEO and company officers take the blame for a failing business, the Pope and his Bishops must take some blame for the vast failings of the Church in recent history.

There have always been sex scandals in the Church, and there always will be. I will agree that John Paul did a poor job in responding to the problem.

But as to your main point, I strongly disagree. The pope should be concerned with his public image, because it helps with evangelization of non-Catholics, it helps strengthen the faith of many Catholics, it helps focus attention on whatever message he is trying to deliver, and it helps relations with other governments and religions. It would be foolish and irresponsible not to make use of such a powerful tool.

 

[expectthebest]

There have always been sex scandals in the Church, and there always will be. I will agree that John Paul did a poor job in responding to the problem.

But as to your main point, I strongly disagree. The pope should be concerned with his public image, because it helps with evangelization of non-Catholics, it helps strengthen the faith of many Catholics, it helps focus attention on whatever message he is trying to deliver, and it helps relations with other governments and religions. It would be foolish and irresponsible not to make use of such a powerful tool.

You make a very good point. However, the whole hysteria surrounding everywhere the Pope goes just sits a little wrong with me. I mean, people traveling long distances, becoming emotional at the mere sight, etc. seems way out of line. After all, he is just a man. Recent Popes seem to revel in their celebrity. This is not the image of the early Church leaders I have. I can see how a prodestant might see all of this and wonder if Catholics really are worshiping the Pope.