Does the author have any numbers of the Catholics converting to Protestantism? I suspect the weight is on the side of the Protestants!
Fifty years ago, America was about 70% Protestant and 20% Catholic. Today, it’s about 25% Protestant and 25% Catholic. By “Protestant,” I mean to include all Christians who are members of churches founded during and after the Reformation, including Baptists, Anglicans, Non-denominationalists, and Restorationists. By “Catholic,” I mean only those who have maintained current enrollment in their church; contrary to presumption, this does not mean all baptized Catholics, but it does include significant numbers of “A&P” (”Ashes and Palms”) Catholics.
I’ve seen many Protestants claim that their churches have such vast proportions of Catholics among them. If so, that only means that the apostasy rate among Protestant churches is o-so-much higher.
A. I wouldn't know. B. I wouldn't be surprised.
The majority of Catholics who leave the Church are poorly catechized in their faith. As Diirector for Religious Education at my small parish, I have witnessed first hand the lack of understanding most adult Catholics possess with regard to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Those with small children have responded to the pastor's call to enroll them in formal religious education but there is no follow up at home. It is a great challenge to introduce these children to the faith over the span of only 15 hours spread out over several months. This is not enough time. More importantly, the primary educators should be the parents. Teaching children to pray is one thing; getting them to do it at home when the parents are disinterested, is something quite different. I am now looking into programs to educate the parents.
I have also seen how the local RC Diocese has mishandled the handing down of the Catholic faith. In many of their parishes, the bishop has agreed to abandon the program and leave the education up to the parents. Naturally, they make excuses - the child has football (or name your favorite sport) practice, the daughter has dance class, etc. All these "things" are more important than coming to know God. It is truly sad.
The converts coming into the Catholic Church, however, are amongst the most highly educated. These are former ministers who have been through scripture and theology classes. They have done the research and come to the knowledge that the Catholic Church is indeed the one Church founded by Jesus Christ.