It might sound contradictory if I accepted the Osteen/Warren "butts on seats" model of Church health. Unfortunately, it's not a numbers game.
Look what just twelve apostles accomplished. Look at what just one man, St. Paul, accomplished in terms of evangelization. A small fervent nucleus of believers is extremely powerful.
If the church is getting smaller, then the evangelism is failing.
Falling numbers is due to the apostasy of those who formerly professed the faith, not failing evangelization. Furthermore, it's localized to specific regions of the world. In particular, the secular, materialistic West. Other regions are experiencing growth and a boom in evangelization. Watch China.
Throughout history, numbers have waxed and waned. It will be that way until the end of time. Scripture itself tells us that a significant number of Jesus' own followers quit due to difficulties in accepting some of His teachings.
Waiting for the Catholic Church to disappear and die is the very definition of a fool's errand.
Thanks, M.
“...and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.”