Behold, the seven words of every dying institution: “We have always done it this way!”
Nowhere is a preconceived narrative more entrenched than in the Catholic Church.
Among most Bishops, the message is that we should just keep doing everything as we have done it for the past generation: catechesis, Marriage preparation, liturgy, and so on.
But an objective analysis of Catholic practice belies the claim that everything is in fact fine.
In recent years, several studies have been conducted that give an in-depth look at the practices (and non-practices) of Catholics in America.
I have referred to these studies a number of times in many of the articles which appear on this blogsite.
For example, a major study done by Pew Research in 2009 found that over 30% of Americans who were raised Catholic no longer consider themselves Catholic. This is a well-known figure, but what about those who do still self-identify as Catholic?
These are the people who still have some attachment to the Church, at least enough to call themselves “Catholic.”
Less than 30% of them attend Mass once a week, and according to another study, only 25% go to Confession at least once a year. Furthermore, only 62% of those who attend Mass weekly also go to Confession at least once a year.
Correlating this data, we find that less than 10% of baptized Catholics in this country both attend Mass on Sundays and go to Confession at least once a year.
In other words, less than 1 in 10 baptized Catholics actually follow the two most measurable precepts of the Church, which all Catholics are obliged to follow.
The Pew Study referenced above notes that of those who have abandoned the Church, most stated that they “gradually and quietly drifted away because their spiritual needs were not being met.”
A more recent, smaller survey conducted by the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois details that the majority left because their “spiritual needs [were] not met” and they “lost interest” in being Catholic.
The one clear conclusion that can be drawn from all the findings is this: most people do not see any compelling reason to live as Catholics.
This is true both for those who left the Church and for most who continue to self-identify as Catholic. For if one thought it was worthwhile to live as a Catholic, he or she would attend Mass faithfully, go to Confession regularly, learn the Faith, and strive to live its teachings, even the hard ones.
But so few Catholics are doing this.
I admit that numbers (and surveys) aren’t everything. But surely when vast numbers of people are saying they are leaving the Church because their spiritual needs are not being met – the precise reason the Church exists – then something would appear to be fundamentally wrong.
It is true that evangelization does not always produce large numbers of converts – Jesus himself was rejected by many of his initial disciples – but the staggering number of baptized Catholics who don’t find value in practicing their Faith should give us serious pause.
If we have the courage to draw some inferences from the surveys, then we have to admit unquivocally that Catholic dioceses and parishes by and large are failing to meet their parishioners’ perceived spiritual needs.
So how should the Bishops, Priests and parishes respond in the face of these facts?
Thus far, the response has been denial.
Both Clergy and laity have ignored or downplayed the problem and continue to do the same things that got the Church into this mess. But continuing with the same strategy and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.
What is needed is a radically honest approach to the reality of the status of the Church today.
Can you imagine a Catholic Pastor getting up in the pulpit and saying, “Listen, things are not good – the school is failing to educate kids in the Faith, people are leaving in droves, and no one believes Catholic doctrine anymore”?
Of course not!
And why?
Because should faithful Catholics see how bad things really are, they might just lose hope that the situation can ever be fixed; the problems of today can be overwhelming and appear unsolvable.
And so, since we don’t have the courage to admit the truth, our leaders and we along with them make no effort to improve the state of affairs in the Church.
I contend that being honest about the problems is the necessary starting point.
But, honesty and truth are tricky things.
Most Bishops and Pastors as well as those in leadership positions within the Church don’t want to hear the truth. And those bold enough to speak the truth find themselves either labeled as cynics or ostracized from any position of leadership or influence.
I do not pretend to know what the practical solutions to these problems are. But I am convinced that no solutions are possible when we continue to deceive ourselves with false narratives about the real issue facing the Church: Catholicism is not attractive anymore to a massive number of Americans.
Right now, should things continue as they are, I believe the Church is in the twilight of its history in this country and in the world.
I know and accept the fact that saying this will cause many to brand me as a pessimist. To those who do, I say: you can simply continue to ignore the facts and keep deceiving yourselves.
But I believe the better option is to recognize the reality and begin rebuilding on a foundation of honesty and truth.
We can do so if we trust the Holy Spirit to give us the courage,the insight and the energy to do so.
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to do just that. Please!
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle within us the fire of Your Love.
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