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Montie_Claunch
Guest
Why are people leaving the church? What can we do to stop this? This is rather worisome to me. Thanks and God bless.
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carol_marie
Guest
- I believe many people leave because they have NO IDEA what we believe or why. They’ve never been taught.
- We are a selfish generation - it’s all about us so they go where they can “get something out of it” - selfish reasons.
- The Priest sexual abuse scandal and the inept way it was handled has turned many away from the Church. - (And although this is a problem in all faiths & walks of life - the media made it seem like almost every Priest molests children)
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sara888
Guest
**
Because its easier to live by a man-made doctrine , rather than what Christ wills for us to do and follow.
Jan**
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JOL
Guest
This is true. I left for this very reason. It was easier to leave than try to search the truth.
- I believe many people leave because they have NO IDEA what we believe or why. They’ve never been taught.
Again, true. I left because of how protestant services made me feel.
- We are a selfish generation - it’s all about us so they go where they can “get something out of it” - selfish reasons.
No idea how to fix it.
- The Priest sexual abuse scandal and the inept way it was handled has turned many away from the Church.
**Watch the Holy Spirit bring people back, He brought me back home**
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Black_Knight_MI
Guest
Y;know… I hear this from time to time, but I think someone’s pulling our leg because I see more people coming into the Catholic Church than I see leaving, and I see more people coming back than I see leaving, so frankly, I think that this trend is fast turning around.
This worries you? Do something about it then. Get into the faith formation dept in your parish. Then share your faith with anyone who’ll listen.
God bless!
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helgasdogs
Guest
Here is a good clue to the answer to question 1.
Role-playing gamers and the fall of the church
republic-news.org/archive/92-repub/92_nenonen.htm
And a partial answer to question 2?
Roll your sleeves up and stop “multiculturalism” and the unlimited immigration policy that brings in millions of non_Catholic unassimilables into the Western countries, causing them to be swamped with a confusing schwarmerei of competing “organizing fantasy” options.
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Veritas41
Guest
Just from what I’ve observed in the eight years I’ve been Catholic, I would have to say there are several reasons Catholics leave the Church, many of them have already been posted. I would say two of the most important reasons are poor catechesis and poor liturgical practice. Every single ex-Catholic I’ve met and talked to has revealed a poor understanding of the Catholic faith, and many Catholics I meet still in the Church have a poor grasp of the Faith as well. I’ve met very few who completely adhere to Church teaching or even know what the Church teaches on various matters of faith and morals. Better faith formation for children that actually teaches doctrine instead of just touchy-feely warm fuzzies would help alot and on-going faith formation for adults. I’ve been a member of three different Catholic parishes, and I’ve been appalled at the lack of faith education for adults. The Protestant churches I attended were much smaller but always offered a variety of classes for adults to attend to learn more about their faith. Catholics unfortunately seem to think they learn it all when they graduate from CCD classes, so they have only the most elementary understanding of their faith.
Another big problem I see is how the Mass has been dumbed down and desacralized. There is simply little sense of the sacred, that Mass is a participation in something timeless, holy and divine. The pop music used, the architecture that is merely functional and not inspirational, and homilies that don’t really give much instruction all contribute to this problem.
There also just seems to be a great deal of spiritual apathy/indifference in many Catholics, even those who attend Mass regularly. It seems like they practice their faith more out of habit rather than zeal and love for the Lord. Being surrounded by that kind of example certainly doesn’t inspire people to remain in the Church.
What can we do? Be faithful to whatever God is calling us to do in our own sphere of influence, doing what we can to address the problems we see around us or help Catholics we know who are doubting or struggling in their faith. However, the most important thing is for us to pray and fast and make sacrifices on behalf of the Church and people we know who have left the Church for whatever reason.
Another big problem I see is how the Mass has been dumbed down and desacralized. There is simply little sense of the sacred, that Mass is a participation in something timeless, holy and divine. The pop music used, the architecture that is merely functional and not inspirational, and homilies that don’t really give much instruction all contribute to this problem.
There also just seems to be a great deal of spiritual apathy/indifference in many Catholics, even those who attend Mass regularly. It seems like they practice their faith more out of habit rather than zeal and love for the Lord. Being surrounded by that kind of example certainly doesn’t inspire people to remain in the Church.
What can we do? Be faithful to whatever God is calling us to do in our own sphere of influence, doing what we can to address the problems we see around us or help Catholics we know who are doubting or struggling in their faith. However, the most important thing is for us to pray and fast and make sacrifices on behalf of the Church and people we know who have left the Church for whatever reason.
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JOL
Guest
Joan,
Great post.
I would like to comment on some things though. I do agree that many parishes have become to modern and of the world instead of set apart from the world. I visited one parish that didn’t even have kneelers or pews. The Sisters didn’t wear habits and the priests didn’t wear the normal priestly attire.
The parish I began going to though is very traditional and conservative. They have that atmosphere to which you are talking about. This church is what brought me back, the holiness and reverence for our Lord. When people walk into the church there is NO talking, you can quietly meditate on the things of God without interuption. We need more parishes like this around the world.
You are right about poor education in the faith. I am one of those who was poorly catechised and ended up leaving the church for several years. The Lord has guided me to a better understanding of the faith so I can know what it is we believe and why. People need to want to do this and stop being lazy about their faith.
Thats it…just my 2 cents.
Great post.
I would like to comment on some things though. I do agree that many parishes have become to modern and of the world instead of set apart from the world. I visited one parish that didn’t even have kneelers or pews. The Sisters didn’t wear habits and the priests didn’t wear the normal priestly attire.
The parish I began going to though is very traditional and conservative. They have that atmosphere to which you are talking about. This church is what brought me back, the holiness and reverence for our Lord. When people walk into the church there is NO talking, you can quietly meditate on the things of God without interuption. We need more parishes like this around the world.
You are right about poor education in the faith. I am one of those who was poorly catechised and ended up leaving the church for several years. The Lord has guided me to a better understanding of the faith so I can know what it is we believe and why. People need to want to do this and stop being lazy about their faith.
Thats it…just my 2 cents.
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Scottgun
Guest
I think it is comparable to the saying that a diocese gets the vocations it deserves. That is, according to what I have read, a diocese with a firm committment to fidelity to the Church and her teachings have very fruitful priestly vocations, whereas a diocese just shy of open defiance is always coming up short. So I would suggest that a parish or diocese gets the attendance it deserves.
Scott
Scott
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Michael_G
Guest
Some of the people have mentioned this already, but I would like to place far more emphasis on this truth. I believe that number one reasone by leaps and bounds as to why most people who leave the church is poor very poor Catechetical programs in the vast majority of dioceses in this country. I come from a family of seven, I and one of the brothers were entagled in the new age school of thought, he still is entagled in new age. The other five siblings are now Protestants, two of them fundmentalist protestants who basically believe the Catholic church is an apostate church. Too many Bishops in this country who have not followed the whole complete church teachings, too many Catholic publishers of Catetchitacal which are not true to the faith.
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Guardian
Guest
It’s simple. People leave the Church because priests suck at teaching. Most homilies are worthless (that I’ve heard) and are really shallow, which is why most Catholics are idiots as to the Faith. Sad but true. There’s also not that much push or emphasis on reading the Bible, community groups, nor being real with God.
Hopefully this new wave of evangelization will turn things around in the next few years.
Hopefully this new wave of evangelization will turn things around in the next few years.
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RevDrNorth
Guest
Let me provide the view point of someone who attended the Catholic Church prior to ordination. This can answer why leaving and why not attracting huge numbers of people.
I) Sexual Abuse Scandal - people get the impression that the Priesthod is full of pedophile’s.
II) I remember a Lutheran youth group that attended various local churches. One of the things they noticed after and remarked to their Director of Religious Education was that the Priest seemed gay. Many Protestant think Catholic clergy are gay or pedophiles. The Bing Corsby thing is gone.
III) No fellowship. I was shocked coming from a Protestant church where people got together and socialized over coffee after church. In many Protestant communities that sense of community is built by many opportunites for fellowship (events, dinners, prayer groups, service groups and so on).
IV) Catholics failing to appreciate the wonderful gift they have in the Church. 2/3 of the Catholics came late to service and another 1/3 left early. When there they did not even sing (go to a Baptist Church and people praise God through music…singing…clapping). It was horrible and frustrating (an expereince that repeated itself at several RC churches). I was in the middle of prayer when a late comer and his family stepped over me and then asked me to move while the congregation/Priest was praying.
V) No Bible Study - Protestants have bible study on Sundays for all ages including numerous adult groups where they get deep in the Word of God. This is improtant. I have met two different couples at a Southern Baptist Church who were in bibel study but did not attend service because they were Catholic (went to mass) and then came to bible study. If you do not capture people like that you will lose them.
I have met many ex Catholics at different churches and they leave for the sense that they feel a real sense of community and committment to the Word of God in Protestant Churches.
The Roman Catholic Church is so rich in culture and tradition that it is a shame it is taken for granted. More Catholics need to be awed at the wonder of the Gospel expressed through the Church and come alive. It is more than punching a ticket for between 40 and 60 minutes. To reviatlize it it will need clergy and laity to energize it by getting excited about their faith and developing and implementingprograms that involve the community.
I know of a local Catholic church like that and it is every bit as dynamic as any Protestant Church. The Priest is a dynamo and has people doing bible study and you name it.
Sorry for the long…long post.
North
I) Sexual Abuse Scandal - people get the impression that the Priesthod is full of pedophile’s.
II) I remember a Lutheran youth group that attended various local churches. One of the things they noticed after and remarked to their Director of Religious Education was that the Priest seemed gay. Many Protestant think Catholic clergy are gay or pedophiles. The Bing Corsby thing is gone.
III) No fellowship. I was shocked coming from a Protestant church where people got together and socialized over coffee after church. In many Protestant communities that sense of community is built by many opportunites for fellowship (events, dinners, prayer groups, service groups and so on).
IV) Catholics failing to appreciate the wonderful gift they have in the Church. 2/3 of the Catholics came late to service and another 1/3 left early. When there they did not even sing (go to a Baptist Church and people praise God through music…singing…clapping). It was horrible and frustrating (an expereince that repeated itself at several RC churches). I was in the middle of prayer when a late comer and his family stepped over me and then asked me to move while the congregation/Priest was praying.
V) No Bible Study - Protestants have bible study on Sundays for all ages including numerous adult groups where they get deep in the Word of God. This is improtant. I have met two different couples at a Southern Baptist Church who were in bibel study but did not attend service because they were Catholic (went to mass) and then came to bible study. If you do not capture people like that you will lose them.
I have met many ex Catholics at different churches and they leave for the sense that they feel a real sense of community and committment to the Word of God in Protestant Churches.
The Roman Catholic Church is so rich in culture and tradition that it is a shame it is taken for granted. More Catholics need to be awed at the wonder of the Gospel expressed through the Church and come alive. It is more than punching a ticket for between 40 and 60 minutes. To reviatlize it it will need clergy and laity to energize it by getting excited about their faith and developing and implementingprograms that involve the community.
I know of a local Catholic church like that and it is every bit as dynamic as any Protestant Church. The Priest is a dynamo and has people doing bible study and you name it.
Sorry for the long…long post.
North
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dcdurel
Guest
Actually almost all priests are doing exactly as they were taught when it comes to their homilies. If every priest was a saint and perfectly obedient, it would not be much different.
The problem comes down to this. Every priest is taught correctly that Vatican II says the primary duty of every priest is the proclamation of the Gospel to all.
The problem is that no one in this country knows
- The central point of the Gospel.
- The content of the Gospel.
- How to proclaim the Gospel.
Thus, since Catholic educators in the seminaries don’t know these basic facts, then they can’t teach the priests, thus priests are taught falsely that the primary method of proclaiming the Gospel is to explain the readings at mass. This is wrong.
All the correct answers are found in Pope Paul VI encyclical Evangelization in the Modern World, and Pope John Paul II encyclicals , esp Redemptor Hominis and Mission of the Redeemer and ESPECIALLY the "General Directory for Catechesis"
Until Catholic educators and everyone else learns from the Popes, nothing will change in this country.
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Rolltide
Guest
I should also point out (and I don’t have the source, but I’ve seen it posted on several other threads) that after many years, the percentage of Catholics in the United States is slightly rising again (over and above the increase due to immigration from heavily Catholic Latin American nations)…
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Saint_Michael
Guest
I say being a believing Catholic in this century is harder than any other including the 1st century Christians. We battle evolution which makes the Bible look patently false and like a made up fairy tale, previous Christians didn’t have to deal with evolution and the fossil record. We deal with attacks from fellow Christians that call us idolators etc… And in this day of instant information there’s no limit to the amount of dirt that can be slung.
And to keep it brief the priesthood scandal was huge. Many Bishops simply let us down and the victimized children down. It made our leadership look corrupt and our priests like deviants. It was not good, in my family alone I have two brothers, a mother, four cousins and a sister in law who left the Church because of the priesthood scandal, and probably will never come back. They all said “no way that could go down the way it did if God was with this Church”. I’ve struggled witht he same issues myself mightyly and have flirted with the idea of just praying to God to lead me and just stop with all the “religious dogmatic extras”. My faith is under constant attack.
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jburgherr
Guest
Do people leave The Church…Sure. I believe there are more people becoming Catholic, than leaving…There are university studies that bare this out.
Why do people leave, because they have not been catechised well, and have not taken the time to bolster what catechisis they have recieved.
Bishop Fulton Sheen said:“There are not a hundred people in America who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions of people who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church— which is, of course, quite a different thing.”
My corollary to this would be
eople don’t leave the Catholic Church because of what the Catholic Church is, the leave the Catholic Church because of what they wrongly believe the Catholic Church is…which is, of course, quite a different thing.
Why do people leave, because they have not been catechised well, and have not taken the time to bolster what catechisis they have recieved.
Bishop Fulton Sheen said:“There are not a hundred people in America who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions of people who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church— which is, of course, quite a different thing.”
My corollary to this would be
eople don’t leave the Catholic Church because of what the Catholic Church is, the leave the Catholic Church because of what they wrongly believe the Catholic Church is…which is, of course, quite a different thing.
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a_cermak
Guest
I don’t know that it’s harder than 1rst century. At least no one’s throwing folks to the lions.
And the Catholic Church is one of the many Christian Churches that has nothing to fear from evolution as She does not teach a belief in a literal 6 day creation, young Earth message. So the Church is under no attack from Darwin, save needing to get that message out more fully.
I would guess the Catholic Church, though it does lose folks to other denoms (like myself) loses more people to inaction (C & E or even less frequently Mass-goers) than it does to other denoms or religions. But that’s a trend going on throughout Christendom in the US and possibly all other religions (they tend to be so small there aren’t reliable stats). So if you consider accross the US by stats (some individual communities do quite well while others starve) that religious communities are shrinking in faithful adherents, and the Catholic Church is actually growing a bit then that’s a very good thing!
I think the best way to stop the slide, if it’s possible, is to offer Mass more frequently at convenient times. Many people do not want to wake early on Sunday or want to have a nice brunch instead of going to Church. Having an evening or even night mass on Sunday might help that situation. And move daily mass to the evening when people can get to it who work during the day a couple times a week might help. Also, maybe have some concerts and other get togethers in the Church once a quarter or so. My Episcopal Church does manage to get people in to hear Bach and Handel (both of whom wrote religious music) played by a local orchestra every few months. It brings in people from the community and earns a little for the parish as well.
And yes, the preaching in most Catholic (and unfortunately Episcopal as well) is lamentable. To be honest it isn’t often offensive or dreadful --it’s just usually mediocre and boring.
And the Catholic Church is one of the many Christian Churches that has nothing to fear from evolution as She does not teach a belief in a literal 6 day creation, young Earth message. So the Church is under no attack from Darwin, save needing to get that message out more fully.
I would guess the Catholic Church, though it does lose folks to other denoms (like myself) loses more people to inaction (C & E or even less frequently Mass-goers) than it does to other denoms or religions. But that’s a trend going on throughout Christendom in the US and possibly all other religions (they tend to be so small there aren’t reliable stats). So if you consider accross the US by stats (some individual communities do quite well while others starve) that religious communities are shrinking in faithful adherents, and the Catholic Church is actually growing a bit then that’s a very good thing!
I think the best way to stop the slide, if it’s possible, is to offer Mass more frequently at convenient times. Many people do not want to wake early on Sunday or want to have a nice brunch instead of going to Church. Having an evening or even night mass on Sunday might help that situation. And move daily mass to the evening when people can get to it who work during the day a couple times a week might help. Also, maybe have some concerts and other get togethers in the Church once a quarter or so. My Episcopal Church does manage to get people in to hear Bach and Handel (both of whom wrote religious music) played by a local orchestra every few months. It brings in people from the community and earns a little for the parish as well.
And yes, the preaching in most Catholic (and unfortunately Episcopal as well) is lamentable. To be honest it isn’t often offensive or dreadful --it’s just usually mediocre and boring.
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Sean_Boyle
Guest
They aren’t.
The question should be why are protestants leaving their churchs for ours.
The answer is pretty simple when you think about it.
The question should be why are protestants leaving their churchs for ours.
The answer is pretty simple when you think about it.
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T1Catholic
Guest
This can hardly be blamed for why people leave the Church. If people accepted the teachings of Jesus and acknowledged the truth of his Church it wouldn’t matter that you had Muslims, Jews, Buddists or any other religion living within your country. If it only took keeping non-Christians out of the West, then there would be no such thing as Protestants would there?
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itsjustdave1988
Guest
Many of us must experience an exodus before we can more fully understand and appreciate our redemption.
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