On the small-scale, a person’s religious knowledge is their own problem. Lots of lapsed Catholics, or “not practicing” Catholics, or cultural Catholics that don’t know anything by their own doing. Willful ignorance.
But, on the large-scale, with percentages like that ... sounds like there’s a church problem, too. You’ve got to teach people better than that. If just one of those people is in your church — you’ve got to do a better job.
SnakeDoc
Amen. Many in the Church recognize that the common denominator among the ex-Catholics, cafeteria Catholics, lapsed Catholics, CINOs and converts to other faiths and denominations is poor catechesis. Most know very little beyond the post Vatican II anecdotal and urban legend doctrines of the Church. Too often this is reinforced by the secular society and those who otherwise hate the Catholic Church. We are taking steps to correct this. Unfortunately, what has taken over 40 years to do cannot be undone over night.
Peace be to you.
"And that servant who knew the will of his lord, and prepared not himself, and did not according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required: and to whom they have committed much, of him they will demand the more." Luke 12:47-48
Bingo. One of the issues is the concept "their parents will teach them". Great concept but with the major flaw of "What if they don't?" Some of the best and most solid members I know were the children of the lapsed and those who never were members. Why? Because when they have kids they send their kids to Sunday School with the vague idea that it will be good for them. And it is free babysitting for a few hours.
We send a bus around every Sunday to pick up kids who's parents do not attend. Some times they bring their little friends as well. And in Sunday School they get taught.
Not sweet generalities but the foundations of our faith.
Some of them don't stick. But a lot of them do. Sometimes their parents come to see what all the fuss is about. Sometimes they even stay.
But it starts with the children. Yes we do have people the convert in their 20's all the way up to their late 90's. Still if your children don't know what they believe or why they believe it they are not going to stay. So for those who's parents teach them you reinforce their teaching. For those who have no teaching from their parents, teach them as well.