Roman Catholic 42.6%, Protestant 23.3% (including United Church 9.5%, Anglican 6.8%, Baptist 2.4%, Lutheran 2%), other Christian 4.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other and unspecified 11.8%, none 16% (2001 census)
Evidently here the Pope is speaking to "his own."
Looking at my own family tree (patrilineal):
Gen 1 ... Y family immigrated from Bavaria to USA, 1870's
Great-Grandfather Y raised 11 kids from 2 marriages.
Gen 2 ... Grandpa and Grandma Y raised 5 kids (born 1910-1925)
Gen 3 ... Father Y raised 2 kids (born in 1948 and 1951)
Gen 4 ... My generation. My husband and I have 2 kids, 1 born and 1 adopted. (My brother had no children.)
Sure looks like the Decline of the West, eh?
And why? In the case of my husband and me, late marriage.
Thanks.
Roman Catholic 42.6%...
I figured Catholicism has to be the largest religion in Canada alright.
Similar situation in my family. My generation: I am a single adoptive parent; my brother and 2 cousins never reproduced. Last year, the last member of one branch of the family died. My brother expressed an interest in collecting her family memorabilia. I couldn't understand why; he has produced no progeny. He is the end of his family line as well.
It always warms my heart to see large families who continue to grow and multiply. They are a beautiful reminder of God's promise to Abraham.