From the sex abuse scandal to school closings, some say the Catholic Church is facing a crisis of confidence. Yet the Archdiocese of Baltimore claims it's a record year for new members.
Adam May reports almost one in five Marylanders call themselves Catholic, and despite a lot of negative news, it remains the largest denomination in the state.
There was barely room for another parishioner at Easter services held Sunday at the Baltimore Basilica. Church leaders say more than 1,000 new Catholics joined the church this year, which is even more than last year's record.
But an unknown number of Catholics are leaving church. Some are disenfranchised by church policy, politics and scandal.
The most recent negative issue involves allegations Pope Benedict helped cover up clergy sex abuse. That has led to some protests by upset Catholics.
"Damage has been done. We're trying to repair that damage, help those who have been hurt. But we go on. We're still a church," said Archbishop Edwin O'Brien.
Another issue facing the church is the closing of many schools, including Cardinal Gibbons. Angry parents and students did more than just rally last week. Hoping to get the Archbishop to change his mind, one local businessman -- who has been a long-time Catholic school financial supporter -- started running radio ads asking other Catholics to reduce tidings.
"I don't know if it's working at all. My information is we're the same, even a little more than last year in donations," said O'Brien.
A few days ago, students at Cardinal Gibbons had to select new schools. It's estimated at least one-fourth of them decided to leave the Catholic education system.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore has almost half a million members.
Only morons think you can destroy a religion by attacking it.
A couple of us out here are looking for the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Traditional Rite, which apparently was authorized in the Motu Proprio. In the New Rite it would seem like a mixed Catholic-Protestant thing to us.
the more they persecute, the bigger we get.
Praise God for this continuing miracle despite all the attacks on it!
I wonder how many new Catholics have recently left the Episcopalian, Lutheran, and other denominations, holding their noses in disgust?
Excellent news.