[B Knotts]

There have been problems in the Church. The Pope is trying to address them. One thing he is doing is trying to rebuild a Catholic identity, which was largely lost after Vatican II. That is part of what Summorum Pontificum was about.

This has affected Latin America as well.

[Soliton]

"It's a desire for a closer experience of God," he said.

Your first revival meeting can be a powerful thing. My former Catholic brother-in-law switched, gave up drinking and started preaching to me. He was much more likeable as a boozy Catholic. The newness will wear off in a couple of years and he will probably become a Buddhist

[marshmallow]

The traditional mainline Protestant churches, which in 1957 constituted about 66 percent of the populace, now count just 18 percent as adherents.

Here is the real "slap you in the face" statistic contained in this article. That is a massive drop in the space of half a century. This is where the real hemorrhaging has occurred. Naturally, that doesn't warrant a headline, though.

Instead, we're served the "Catholicism is dying" headline du jour.

The real story here is that there has been a drastic shift from mainline Protestant churches to evangelical ones.

Considering the scandals, liturgical lunacy, apostasy and heresy which have plagued the Catholic Church over recent decades, I'd say these figures are a testament to the faith and long-suffering of Catholics in general.

[al_c]

"It's a desire for a closer experience of God," he said.

Closer than the real presence? I think what they're really looking for is more of a feeling. That's too bad. Motivational speaking will not necessarily bring you closer to God.

[annalex]

It is not merely a quantitative change for the US Catholics, but also a shift from ethnic or cultural Catholicism to Catholicism of conviction. As ethnic Poles and Italians lose atheir ethnic identity in the US melting pot, some of them, — provided their Catholicism was shallow to begin with, — also lose their Catholicism. I have no doubt that the Catholic church of the future will be less ethnic, possible less in numbers, but it will consist of people who know and love the Catholic Church as their mother.

[joebuck]

"The traditional mainline Protestant churches, which in 1957 constituted about 66 percent of the populace, now count just 18 percent as adherents."

Probably because some of the largest of the traditional mainline Protestant Churches have gone completely apostate and true Christians have been fleeing them like the plague. This is a positive and reassuring development.

[Varda]

What’s sad to me is many Catholic churches are mimicking mainline protestantism. Our church has music performances, youth groups and a ministry for everything. My husband says it reminds him of the Presbyterian church of his youth. That church is now lucky to have a hundred people attend Sunday services.

I believe western Christianity is going to be a lot smaller in the near future and persecuted.

[lastchance]

I never mind if one stops being a bad Catholic to become a good Protestant. I would love to think this number reflects the leaving of dissidents but nope we get stuck with the likes of Chittester, Kerry and other CINO’s. But I sure as heck do not wish them on my Protestant brethern.

[Publius6961]

Wrong conclusion from the available evidence.
Many others, like me, simply withdrew from the official church, when the pervert controlled legislatures declared retroactive elimination of the statute of limitations, and established the gay/lesbian lottery.

I switched my financial support to other charities, but I am still Catholic.

I just don't admit it.

[free_life]

One out of every 10 evangelicals is a former Catholic, he said, with Hispanic Catholics leaving at higher rates; 20 percent of them end up in evangelical or Pentecostal churches.

“It’s a desire for a closer experience of God,”

They have had enough with religion and want God. That is why they are leaving. No surprise. Happening in some South American countries too.

[kosta50]

The latest statistics are showing that “mainline Protestants” and Baptists are losing members too and that America is on the brink of losing its Protestant majority in America. The faith is simply in decline. Narcissism of the generations we raised since Dr. Spock is taking its toll. Actually, statictis show that Catholic number remain the same (see MSN.com) mainly due to Latin American immigration. So, it seems everyone has their own statistics to “prove” their agenda, like the various political polls...we have lost all principles when it comes truth.

[wmfights]

One out of every 10 evangelicals is a former Catholic, he said, with Hispanic Catholics leaving at higher rates; 20 percent of them end up in evangelical or Pentecostal churches.

What great news. Also, we are making inroads in South America.

[ardara]

I find this study hard to believe in light of the millions of Mexicans that have joined the Catholic Church in the U.S. in recent years.

[Salvation]

The title of this article is misleading in light of statistics such as these:

Hundreds have taken a long path to [Catholic] church (Converts -- Rite of Election)

BTW, People are converting to the Catholic Church everywhere!

[FourtySeven]

I think it's time for this again; I think I'll post it in large font this time. Maybe then it'll sink in (to those who worry about things like this) Even though it's about "fastest growing" claims, it also applies to the reverse case too. The take home message is, "Numbers do not necessarily equal VERACITY".

Fastest Growing Fallacy

[Clemenza]

While the RCC has not had the massive loss of membership that the mainline Protestant churches have had, it still is interesting that 1/3 of all Catholics raised in the faith have left the faith, with the increase in Catholics largely coming via immigration (over 30% of American Catholics are now Latino).

I think EWTN and other evangelical outreach should help spread the faith. Alot has been made of converts to the Evangelical Protestant Churches, but an even bigger factor are the ex-Catholics, such as myself, who have just left the faith (I can write a book on my own experience).

I think the issue is closely tied to wealth and upward mobility. When the Church had poor immigrants and their children "captive" in "parish" neighborhoods, they were able to exert a high degree of influence that will likely never be seen again. When some of the descendants of said people grew wealthy and suburbanized (and assimilated), they saw the faith of their ancestors as being archaic in the sense that it was associated with poverty and downward mobility.

The reason I mentioned EWTN is that they are not afraid to actively engage the more educated portion of our population. They are good at educating and reaching out to those folks who haven't learned anything about Catholicism since their 8th Grade catechism class.

[Antoninus]

This is a snapshot of a moment in time, but I don't have any difficulty believing it. The numbers of practicing Catholics is even lower--maybe much lower.

That said, the Catholic Church in the US has turned a corner since 2002. The Vatican is taking a more active role in weeding out the bishops whose poor catechesis is primarily responsible for Catholics falling away from the Faith. The Church moves in geologic time and it takes a long time to turn such a big ship around.

I am encouraged by the fact that conservative Protestant intellectuals, pastors, and preachers are finding their way across the Tiber in great numbers, thanks in part to the fantastic work of The Coming Home network among others. Meanwhile, those who leave Catholicism are generally those who were never properly catechized and thus easily led or have bought into the morals of the secular culture.

[DesScorp]

The Catholic Church’s numbers would grow if they embraced real Catholicism, and not this liberation theology crap. The last two Pope’s have tried to do just that, but liberal toadies like the Jesuits are fighting it tooth, nail, and devil’s cloven hoof.