Between the years of 2008 and 2014, 3 million Catholics left the practice of the Catholic Faith in the United States.
In the year 2000, 18 million Americans identified themselves as former Catholics — those who had left the Church, not by a formal act but simply by way of a quiet exodus from the pews. One generation later, as of 2016, that number had swelled to 30 million.
11 million more Catholics have left the Faith since the turn of the century. There are more Catholics over 50 than under 50. And there are more Catholics over 65 than under 30. The percentage of young people — those under 30 — in the Church is a smaller percentage compared to almost any other church in the country. Only Jehovah's Witnesses and mainline Protestants have a smaller percentage of young people comprising their ranks than Catholics. Even so, even there, Catholi youth are just a hair's breadth away from being the smallest number.
Over the next 15 years, the number of Catholics will begin to drop off more dramatically. One of out every five Catholics right now, today, is over 65. As they die, their numbers will not be sufficiently replaced.
The critical moment will come where there will be more Catholics who have actually left the Church then there are those who claim affiliation with and actually practice their Catholic Faith.
There are roughly 73 million Catholics in the United States. At this moment, 30 million Catholics no longer maintain affiliation with the Church. If 6 or 7 million leave, there will be more former Catholics than those who still identify as Catholics.
If the current trend continues, that moment will come in about three years — right around 2020. We already know from surveys during the recent Presidential campaign that the percentage of Catholics relative to the overall U.S. population has slipped from the historically stable number of 25 percent to roughly 20 percent, and the percentage of Catholic voters dropped from 26 percent to approximately 21 percent.
In 2016, there were 11 percent fewer parishes since 2000; 18 percent fewer priests. Only two-thirds of all the Priests are in active ministry. The other third are retired or have been released from active ministry for health reasons. Moreover, the slight increase in the numbers of priestly ordinations is nowhere near enough the number needed to replace those dying..
Infant baptisms have declined by a third. Adult conversions down by 40 percent. First Holy Communion and Confirmation numbers are also both down. And marriages — perhaps the most significant barometer for the future life of the Church — down almost 50 percent since the year 2000. Even the number of Catholic funerals since the year 2000 has dropped by 16 percent.
Against the backdrop of these disturbing numbers is the assurance that the Lord has given that He is with the Church always and the Church will always prevail against the powers of darkness and the forces of evil.
We need to remind ourselves of Christ’s promise because the future of the Church looks pretty bleak at this moment in time.
Western civilization, born in the light of the Judeo-Christain Faith and culture, is itself in danger of dissolution as the very foundation and fabric of society is being challenged by the forces of secularism and radical Islamic terrorism.
The political left which has been subsumed into the Democratic Party which has become increasingly hostile toward Judeo-Christian values. The very idea that churches have anything of value to offer to American society is anathema in certain circles.
The secular mass media has waged an unrelenting attack upon Christianity, labeling as intolerant idealogues or bigots those who espouse the Christian Gospel, all the while remaining silent in their judgments about the horrors perpetrated by Islamic savages around the world.
The “gates of hell” of which Jesus spoke are clearly evident and have perceptible features nowadays. More and more, it will require heroic virtue to remain faithful to the Church.
When I was still in seminary, I was blessed to have been mentored by a wise and gracious teacher. Father John Taugher, a Vincentian Priest, beloved by generations of Saint Louis Priets who taught for over a half-century, often told me that my generation of the Church would be called upon to be as faithful to the Church as were the First Century Martyrs. I listened to him, but really didn’t believe what he was saying. I could not have been more mistaken. His words have proven to be truly prophetic.
What sustained the First Century Martyrs? The same realities that will sustain us: confidence in the truthfulness of Jesus Himself and the strength that only comes from unifying ourselves with the Lord in prayer and the reception of the Sacraments which provide nourishment and courage.
I think the Church is going through a process of purification. The wheat is being separated from the chaff. Who are the wheat? Who are the chaff? I leave that to God’s judgment. For myself, I choose not to take sides as to whose idea of this doctrine or that practice is right or wrong. I simply choose to pray for the forgiveness of my personal sins (which are many I confess), to pray for those most in need of God’s help, to pray for the Church and all those of good will who continue to struggle to hold fast to their Catholic Faith in the face of such terrible attacks against it.
The Lord has promised that He will be with the Church. We have a claim on that promise. Dear Jesus, bless your Church. If it be Your Will that the Church undergo these difficult times, help us emerge purified and renewed. Along the way, bless our children and the future generations who are growing up in these troubled times, many without the guidance of the Gospel and the assurance of Your Presence in their lives.
Let us not lose hope. But with confidence and tranquility, pray to the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit to sustain our Faith, to help us be faithful in our Sacramental practice, and to give witness to the Love of God in what we say and do each day.
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