Sometimes, I let things get to me until finally something snaps and I want to do something about it. Since my return to the Catholic Church and experience with the slippery slope that leads away, I have been trying to understand why so many people are leaving the Catholic Church and what can be done to reverse this trend.
Over the past 15 years, we have seen Protestant Churches triple in number in my hometown. Being that our community is traditionally Catholic (the first Catholic Churches were introduced about 500 years ago), you can bet that close to 100% of the parishioners in these churches are fallen-away Catholics. In fact, with these churches being so new, most of the parishioners are first generation Protestants who were led away from the Catholic Church.
I have had the opportunity to talk to some of the parishioners from local Protestant churches and have found that their reasons for attending these churches are right in line with what can be found across the country. They cite a fun, entertaining, feel-good, close-knit group atmosphere that they feel was missing in the Catholic Church.
So what is it that makes people leave feeling unfulfilled in the Catholic Church?
My completely unprofessional take on the problem is that it all stems from a lack of catechesis and the pressure that society has put on people to conform to a materialistic, liberal (anything goes) mindset.
Nowadays, you can get anything you want with the click of a button. Youth and adults alike are running in a frenzy to get the latest, greatest technological doodad. The instant that the new product gets outdated (in a matter of months usually), it’s out to buy the next thing; this, all in the pursuit of happiness and feel-good entertainment. (You probably see where I’m going with this.)
In a society like this what makes Church Shopping any different?
People often venture out to shop for a new church when the one they are attending either isn’t entertaining enough or doesn’t offer that feel-good appeal. In the Protestant world with so many churches teaching different Biblical interpretations and offering different styles of music and entertainment; there is no shortage of choices to shop around for. Even the Protestant pastors shop around or build a new church when they don’t agree with the one they are attending.
But why would people leave the Catholic Church for one of these Protestant Churches?
LACK OF CATECHESIS!!! If you don’t know why you’re a Catholic to begin with, then why stay??? People are so unaware of Catholic teachings that they don’t know how valuable our church is or why it stands apart from the others out there. I read recently that close to half of Catholics surveyed did not believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist! Without the real presence we are one step closer to being just another church on the block. We can’t blame this lack of knowledge solely on our Religious Ed programs. The responsibility falls upon our own shoulders to educate ourselves and our children. If we don’t know why we are Catholic and have no knowledge of Catholic teachings, then it is all too easy to adopt the set of rules laid out by society.
We need to start educating ourselves and sharing what we learn with those around us. We need to encourage more fellowship within our church and welcome newcomers. We need to set an example for those around us by following church teachings and living the Love of Christ. And lastly, our youth are the future of our church: We need to develop a community within our church that encourages our youth to stand up and fight against the pressures from society.
I know this blog is new (and probably unread!), but I’d like to know what you all are doing to combat the trend of Fallen Away Catholics.
I think you got it all right. I feel I am not doing enough, right now to fight this problem. The only people I am actively working to catechize are my own children but if I can teach them the beauty of our faith and keep them Catholic who knows where God may use them in the future. Thanks for the wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteYou are correct. Lack of catechesis is the number one problem in the Church today.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why Catholics aren't catechized is because the priest don't catechize at mass.
All they do is a commentary on the readings and try to work some teaching into that commentary.
But, that is not the definition of catechesis as the Catechism of the Catholic Church gives it.
The reason that the priests don't catechize at mass, is because the bishops don't have any directives for the priests on what the content of the homily is supposed to consist of. All they have is "Fulfilled in Your Hearing", which was put out by a few bishops years ago, but never approved by the majority of bishops. It is a horrible document which discourages catechsis.
The reason the bishops don't have any good directives for priests teaching them that the primary content of the homily is supposed to be catechetical, is because the bishops don't understand what the Church means by "proclamation of the Gospel". At Vatican II, the Church went back to the basics and taught that the primary duty of priests and bishops is the "proclamation of the Gospel to all".
Unfortunately, the bishops in this country do not understand what the Church means by the word Gospel. They think the Gospel is primarily "the written words and deeds of Jesus" as the old Catholic Encyclopedia falsely taught. Even saintly Father John Harden in his Catholic dictionary defined the Gospel as primarily the four written Gospels.
What the Church means by proclaim the Gospel, is to proclaim the Catholic faith, starting off with why God became man, which is to free us from the slavery of sin.
Until the Catholic scholars learn the correct definition and teach it to the bishops, who then will have it taught in the seminaries, then Catholics will continue leaving the Church and will continue to vote for pro-abortion politicians.
It is a sad situation, but I don't have much success in trying to correct the problem. Most Catholics, even the bishops and priests don't seem to care about the problem.
If there was someone who was really concerned, in a high enough position, then I could be of help. But most don't seem to care.
I was baptized Catholic, attended Catholic schools my entire academic career, taught Faith Formation in my parish and have a deep comprehension and understanding of the Catechesim of the Catholic church.
ReplyDeleteThe reasons why you think people are leaving the church are naive. Many people are sickened by the sexual abuse that is rampant throughout the church and the way the church has dealt so incompetently with it.
People are also more aware than ever that true spirituality and oneness with God and Jesus can only be found through living the Word freely and from the heart, and not memorizing a man-made book of laws, rules and dogma or sitting in the front pew of church every Sunday.
It is only in walking the way of Christ that one gains the grace of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Many of faith's communion with the Holy Trinity become stronger every day they are away from the toxic, misgynonistic hierarchy that is the current Catholic church. Think about the state of the church and ask yourself, "Is this what Jesus intended?" Surely it is not. Who then is responsible for the state of the church? Man, not God. Follow God with your soul - not with a false, man-made structure. We only need to know one basic tenet for salvation, "Love one another, as I have loved you." We can celebrate the mystery of the Eucharist however we choose to and receive the gifts of our Creator.