Posted on 03/30/2006 9:45:17 PM PST by dangus
Thanks for the info. I was thinking that other Christians didn't consider them Protestant but I guess its the other way around.
"" I, as a practicing Catholic, don't see it that way. We all are the body of Christ, relying on His grace, full of faith, hope and love. This should not be seen as negative in a time of such relativism. It is good news that any Christian Church is growing! The growth of Christianity is good and should be hoped and prayed for. No?""
Yes, indeed. Very beautifully said.
If you compare the number of Hispanics attending the local Spanish Mass to the number of Hispanics living in the boundaries of the Parish, you'll see that most are not in Church, and its not even close.
Not here. When Hispanics began moving into the area in large numbers, the priests actually went to their communities to celebrate mass. They have continued to add Spanish masses in all the parishes and they are still unable to accomodate the large number of Spanish speaking parishioners. There is not a huge number of Hispanics in this area. They are mostly immigrants from Mexico and are generally very hard working and very Catholic. It may not be representative of the immigrants seen in other parts of the country, but in the northern Atlanta suburbs, most of the Hispanics are practicing Catholics.
Yep, Cardinal Mahoney just can't get enough of that Catholic flotsam from Mexico to bump up the numbers. Unfortunately, the rest of us have to pay for the education, medication, and incarceration. The Catholic Charities should not get one penny of tax money, and in fact, the RCC should have its tax-exempt status revolked for taking part in politics in the US, which is against the IRS regulations.
That's just one small part of the larger picture.
Hispanic membership -- in contrast to your original comment -- is also a small part of a larger picture.
All I know is that our RCIA classes are packed with Protestants coming home to the Catholic Church.
What percentage of Hispanics in the U.S. is Catholic?
72.6 percent, according to a recent study.2 Other recent studies show similar findings ranging from 70-75 percent. Since 1960, Hispanics have accounted for 71 percent of the Catholic growth in the United States.3
Source: the USCCB.
I think you are following the fallacy of your own personal experience and drawing it out as a universal.
I should note that I am a convert myself from a white Lutheran background, but legal/illegal immigration from Latin America accounts for the bulk of the Catholic Church's growth in the U.S.
I said "renewal of Baptism" not "doover of baptism."
When you "renovate" (="renew") something, you don't build a new one, you perfect the present one. Hence, all Catholics renew their baptism formally during the Easter season, when the minor exorcism is performed in unison. ("Do you reject Satan, and all his empty promises?", etc.) And yes, the phrase used is "renewal of baptism." It is done informally frequently throughout the year, including when one, apon having received the Eucharist, blesses himself with holy water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
I meant no offense, criticism, or condescension. The denomination in question is simply called "The Orthodox Church in America," with no reference to whether it is Russian, Greek, Armenian, etc., and it is a member of the water-down-your-faith-to-get-along-with-Stalinist National Council of Churches, and from what I could discern (and I was not at all sure of this) appeared to be English-language. (Not a necessarily bad thing, either... I work for a group advocating the adoption of English. Not that I'd stress that *rituals* should be done in English, but I'm hardly alarmed if English is used in such rites.)
If the Orthodox Church is actually gaining converts, I consider that wonderful news. My post was not intended to be triumphantalist -- and I added a little fluff to try not to sound like I was saying, "haha! Our church is growing and yours is shrinking!" Rather, it was with alarm that I noted the decline of traditional Protestant sects.
The demographics refute your claim. Only 1 in 3 Mexicans in America, Mexican-Americans and Americans of Mexican ancestry consider themselves Catholic. I'd also invite you to go to your nearest Catholic church, note the parish record of members, note the local census demographics, and then compare the attendance at the six English masses and the one Spanish mass.
Again, you're using the same type of statement that I'm using to make your point...and you're taking yourself seriously in the process.
Using your own limited experience (one parish, one town, one MSA), does not a national fact make.
It is absolutely ridiculous to assert that the bulk of the Catholic Church growth in the US comes from illegals.
Yes, you can renew your baptismal vows, but that very different to going somewhere and getting baptised again, which it sounds like your friend is doing.
I was referring to Hispanics in general, NOT to illegals specifically.
Regardless, one place and one zone do not a stat make. I'm certain that visiting North Carolina, Minnesota or Wisconsin parishes would generate a much different experience than you'd have in San Antonio, San Diego or LA.
Still, looking at the big picture, and by the USCCB's own admission Hispanic immigration accounts for the bulk of the Church's growth nationwide. Are you going to argue with the USCCB, which keeps track of Church statistics?
Cite a linked source and I'll admit I'm wrong.
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