Why are so many closing (question from a non-RC)?
Why aren’t they growing. Seems there are plenty of new
hispanics, etc. that tend to be RC)?
There are a combination of factors, most of which are historical. Here in the northeast, immigrants built many Catholic Churches. To honor their ancestral lands, you would find on one corner a church built by Polish immigrants, another built by the Germans, the Irish, the Italians, etc. Albany, Troy and other nearby cities were manufacturing towns for shirt collars, gloves, etc. Once manufacturing was automated, the descendants moved to other parts of the US in search of jobs. These magnificent churches, built with sweat and tears, now have small congregations.
Why aren’t they growing. Seems there are plenty of new hispanics, etc. that tend to be RC)?
Not up here. If anything, we have an influx of southerners and the Evangelicals are in growth mode. Due to a weak Catholic bishop, many Catholics now worship at the Evangelical churches. Please remember us in your prayers.