The Anglican and Catholic Churches have finally realised they must change to survive. But is it too late?

[Holly3278]

Have the Christian churches got it at last? Have they understood that it will soon be too late to halt the slow yet relentless decline they have experienced in this country, and on the continent of Europe, for many years? Yes, they are, finally, beginning to face up to reality. For example, the new Pope, Francis, has just published a truly remarkable document, “Evangelii Gaudium” or “The Joy of the Gospel”, in which he asks the Catholic Church to embark upon a fresh chapter of evangelization, and where he describes in great detail how this should be done. And more quietly, but no less insistently, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is engaged in the same task.

independent.co.uk/voices/comment/the-anglican-and-catholic-churches-have-finallyrealised-they-must-change-to-survive-but-is-it-too-late-9016199.html

I found this article to be somewhat interesting. To be honest, I read it expecting it to criticize the Catholic Church’s teachings on faith and morals such as abortion and “gay marriage”. Refreshingly, I did not see any such criticism. However, I didn’t really know what to think about it. It seems to be an opinion piece and so that is why I have put it in here.

 

[St_Francis]

From the article:
So re-evangelization is easy if you know what to do? Not at all. It is extremely, dauntingly difficult. The crux of the matter is this. The problem is not adults leaving the church; it is their children not following their example. In short, if the Churches cannot recruit young adults, their decline will go on. But the problem is now understood, it has been measured and complacency has evaporated. In other words, a start has been made.

I wonder about this–are we adequately addressing this? My mother left the Church when I was a child, so altho we all received our sacraments (they were shockingly lax in those days!), we can’t be said to have been in the Church and I am the only one who has returned. I do my best to raise my children Catholic, but my background is so weak!

I also don’t think we are being given the tools to counter the indoctrination of the culture, esp parents whose children go to school. It’s crazy… how to balance being in the world but not of it is very difficult, and yet I feel like we get little information in that area.

 

[esieffe]

:clapping:

 

[judynurse]

One book which helped me to deal with being both Catholic and having to deal with a non-religious world was a little paperback put out by the Franciscans “How to live a consecrated life in the world”. It was an introduction to the Secular Franciscan Order (Third Order Franciscans, Secular). It has some terrific ideas for how to live as a faithful Catholic while living as a layperson forced to deal with a secular world. Although it is definitely from a Franciscan perspective, for those considering entering the lay Order of Franciscans, it still has some wonderful methods for living a life for Christ, even though surrounded by the secular world!

 

[bubbawanda]

From the article:
So re-evangelization is easy if you know what to do? Not at all. It is extremely, dauntingly difficult. The crux of the matter is this. The problem is not adults leaving the church; it is their children not following their example. In short, if the Churches cannot recruit young adults, their decline will go on. But the problem is now understood, it has been measured and complacency has evaporated. In other words, a start has been made.

I wonder about this–are we adequately addressing this? My mother left the Church when I was a child, so altho we all received our sacraments (they were shockingly lax in those days!), we can’t be said to have been in the Church and I am the only one who has returned. I do my best to raise my children Catholic, but my background is so weak!

I also don’t think we are being given the tools to counter the indoctrination of the culture, esp parents whose children go to school. It’s crazy… how to balance being in the world but not of it is very difficult, and yet I feel like we get little information in that area.

This is what happened to me on the Anglican Episcopal side. Exactly!
But I sense that we are getting help real soon if Pope Francis has his way. He has a great deal of common sense. I think its something both Catholics/Anglicans (Archbishop of Canterbury is doing it too) can get excited about.

I love high tech! Soft and pervasive, astoundingly effective.

 

[bubbawanda]

From the article:
So re-evangelization is easy if you know what to do? Not at all. It is extremely, dauntingly difficult. The crux of the matter is this. The problem is not adults leaving the church; it is their children not following their example. In short, if the Churches cannot recruit young adults, their decline will go on. But the problem is now understood, it has been measured and complacency has evaporated. In other words, a start has been made.

I wonder about this–are we adequately addressing this? My mother left the Church when I was a child, so altho we all received our sacraments (they were shockingly lax in those days!), we can’t be said to have been in the Church and I am the only one who has returned. I do my best to raise my children Catholic, but my background is so weak!

I also don’t think we are being given the tools to counter the indoctrination of the culture, esp parents whose children go to school. It’s crazy… how to balance being in the world but not of it is very difficult, and yet I feel like we get little information in that area.

This is what happened to me on the Anglican Episcopal side. Exactly!
But I sense that we are getting help real soon if Pope Francis has his way. He has a great deal of common sense. I think its something both Catholics/Anglicans (Archbishop of Canterbury is doing it too) can get excited about.

I love high tech! Soft and pervasive, astoundingly effective.

 

[kozlosap]

This is what happened to me on the Anglican Episcopal side. Exactly!
But I sense that we are getting help real soon if Pope Francis has his way. He has a great deal of common sense. I think its something both Catholics/Anglicans (Archbishop of Canterbury is doing it too) can get excited about.

I love high tech! Soft and pervasive, astoundingly effective.

I found the article thoughtful and very well written. It brings out points that our Holy Father is trying to get our Church to think about!!

 

[bubbawanda]

These are revolutionary times. It only makes sense to revolutionize how the Church reaches out. Lots of us work on weekends lots of us are taking care of our families our friends, customers, pets etc. Flexible hours and times (I like afternoon evening) are great.
I have a lot of confidence in Pope Francis. Hes a revolutionary for the Catholic Church and
he sure has my vote!

 

[Bernard_Lyons]

Did the gospel precede the church? Rom 10:8&17. Then one must enquire ,if the gospel is the means to call out and save the lost,(rom1:16) then the gospel of necessity brings forth the church .The word church being a non translated insertion for the original"ecclesia" ie the called out(from the world) ones in the original tongue: the “church” was and is a people saved; by the faith they received to hear the gospel of their salvation rightly. I believe salvation to be in the"everlasting gospel"(rev14:6) so if it resides here still (eph2:8) then it’s by the “foolishness of preaching"God saves the church and not through the the thing formed (the church) where salvation is.” Christ Jesus himself chief cornerstone. Bernard Lyons

 

[bubbawanda]

The message of the Catholic Church is unchanging, but personally, I like that Pope Francis is softening the music to that message. You attract more bees with honey than vinegar.