By 2011, the Americans accounted for 48.8% of the world’s Catholic population, followed by Europe with 23.5%, Africa with 16%, Asia with 10.9% and Oceania with 0.8%.
Not just Europe. The Northeastern US too (New York, New England, New Jersey, etc) too. That area used to be overwhelmingly Catholic if I’m not mistaken.In theory we’re gaining numbers since we’re gaining in places that were never Catholic and losing to irreligiousness (rather than other religions) in places where people were once Catholic. The trick will be to win back Europe. The “western world” is going deeper and deeper into becoming secular societies, it will take a major event to change society at this point.
The focus should be to keep growing non-traditional Catholic countries while we do what we can/wait for Europe to come back to the fold.
Going off of what George Weigel has mentioned regarding cultural Catholics in the U.S., I’d add Maryland to that list as well.Not just Europe. The Northeastern US too (New York, New England, New Jersey, etc) too. That area used to be overwhelmingly Catholic if I’m not mistaken.