There seems to be a contest between the Church of England and the Catholic Church, to see which one will close down first. I think that the Church of England will go first, because it has not seen the growth in Africa and South America that the Catholic Church has. Both Church’s no longer have any significant influence in most of Europe. I suppose the Catholic Church still has some influence in the US. But then even in the US, the majority of Catholics ignore the Catechism with respect to birth control and adultery. The advice of the bishops was ignored in the last presidential election by the majority of voting Catholics. These facts do not predict much of a future for the Catholic Church in the US, especially considering that priests are retiring at a 10 to 1 rate to newly ordained priests.
epan how did your arrive at the figures? I’ve heard much on this and have seen various statistics. Here’s a couple for example.
cathnewsusa.com/2012/03/vatican-statistics-show-catholic-growth
This one is more suspect, it compares the 70’s to this decade.
cara.georgetown.edu/CARAServices/requestedchurchstats.html
The Catholic Church has always had influence in the US, and the influence it does have becomes known through those who pay strict attention to its teaching. And by our Christian brothers out here who indeed have the good sense to discern its teachings though not in communion. The idea that Catholics in the Church during their journey are conflicted with a teaching, only means they are still learning, self evident, missed is the Biblical verse of “be slow to speak and quick to listen”. I would suggest most come to realize in the end they were simply wrong in the fact they were being taught and not teaching, though perhaps by incompatible teachers. Its like this, the numbers are not reflective in this sense how the Church permeates the conscience in the long run of its members, [within and without] and who wavered in areas such as birth control etc. While their is no doubt a concern for the path, and souls, it can’t be ignored that this ingrained teaching and appeal to the conscience, indeed surface’s, and often in critical moments. That an opposed view in the social transition of history wins favor in a time period, isn’t uncommon or unprecedented.
Those who in pride insist on being proven wrong, I pray for them, they get the test first then understand the lesson later. They get a bit full of themselves and forget to take their shoes off and remember that they are on holy ground.
I see rebirth in its infancy. I see children and young adults today who have a very similar view to what I witnessed prior to V-II and this difficult period we all went through and in what I believe we are coming out of. I see the fire of inspiration spreading and know that it only takes a few to help it to grow. The 22-million lapsed Catholics, no they won’t all be back, but I do see many returning, and others I hear that familiar recitation of the conscience “I need to get back to Church”. The chain of command in Christs Church will remain, never has it not, regardless of weak links, those are expected as are those sent by the Lord. We just don’t know where or when one or the other will manifest.
