[NYer]

In 2008 there were 973 million Africans, up from 767 million in 1999 -- an increase of 27% -- according to UN statistics. By contrast, the population of North America grew from 307 million to 337 million, up 10%, and in Europe from 729 million to 732 million, an increase of just 0.4%.

As populations explode, more people turn away from failing nation states and toward to the relatively stable churches for food, shelter, education and medicine.

snip

With the growing number of Christians has come a surge in vocations. One seminary alone in southeast Nigeria has 1,100 seminarians - one fifth the number of all the seminarians in the United States.

[wintertime]

One of my patients was an Episcopal priest. He told me that while the numbers of Episcopalians in the U.S. were declining those of Africa were soaring.

He said that Americans live a materially secure life with rule of law. Africans though plainly see that that they really only have two choices:

1) Christianity
2) Brutal barbarity

It isn't hard for them to see the difference and to make the rational choice.

Christianity frees people from the constant threat of superstition with its spells and cures and fear of the witch doctor and his neighbor's evil eye. With a shared set of values based on the Ten Commandments people can widen their circle of trust beyond that of the clan. Commerce and prosperity is only possible within the framework of rule of law and trust that a client or businessman will keep his word. Also, with Christianity comes the understanding that human life is precious, and if we are equal before a just God we must demand that we are equal before the law and honest judges.

In the U.S. the Marxist-fascists see Christianity as limiting freedom. Those in Africa **know** that Christianity is a liberating and revolutionary idea.

[the invisib1e hand]

I’m sorry. I think “Christianity” and “power” are mutually exclusive, completely incompatible, and shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence, lest any quarter be given to “power.”

[Miss Marple]

We are getting nuns back at our parish this summer. They are Franciscan Sisters from India.

We have a priest from Columbia ministering to the Hispanics.

We have three priests in our deanery from Nigeria and Kenya.

The influence of the third world on the church is already being felt here in Indiana.