Posted on 06/30/2024 10:50:47 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
In 2023, a substantial number of individuals, totaling 402,694, decided to formally dissociate themselves from the Catholic Church in Germany, a significant figure though slightly less than the record set in 2022.
The German Bishops’ Conference, which came out with these statistics, said while these numbers are high, they reflect a slight decrease from the 522,821 departures recorded the previous year, indicating that this was the second-highest departure rate to date, according to National Catholic Reporter.
In Germany, church membership has financial implications due to the church tax system, which is a part of the broader tax structure. Members who formally exit the church no longer need to pay this tax, providing a financial incentive for deregistration. Exceptions to this requirement include low earners, the unemployed, retirees, students and others.
Despite the slight decrease in departures, the overall membership of the country’s Catholic Church stood at roughly 20.35 million by the end of 2023, according to the German Bishops’ Conference.
The backdrop to these departures includes a longstanding crisis stemming from scandals related to abuse by clergy members, NCR noted. In recent years, many have turned away from the Catholic Church as these issues have persisted.
In an effort to address these concerns, the bishops and a prominent lay organization launched a three-year reform initiative known as the “Synodal Path.” The process, marked by deep divides between progressive and conservative elements within the Catholic Church, culminated last year with calls for the church to sanction blessings for same-sex unions despite overt opposition from the Vatican.
Further tensions have surfaced in a subsequent reform process initiated this year following Vatican pressures to halt previous reform votes.
“The figures are alarming. They show that the church is in a wide-ranging crisis,” Limburg Bishop Georg Bätzing, the head of the Bishops’ Conference, was quoted as saying. “Reforms alone will not solve the church crisis, but the crisis will get worse without reforms. And so changes are necessary.”
But The issue of declining church membership is not isolated to the Catholic Church in Germany.
The Protestant Church also reported substantial departures, with around 380,000 members leaving in the past year, mirroring levels seen in 2022 and reflecting challenges facing religious institutions in Germany.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the Catholic Church’s situation presents a contrast in certain areas. While the Northeast sees ongoing declines in church enrollment, areas like South Florida are witnessing growth, largely driven by an increasing Hispanic population, according to an October 2023 piece published on Substack by Pastor Ryan Burge.
Research by Burge noted that from 2008 to 2022, only six states — Vermont, Idaho, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Arizona and Tennessee — saw increases in the proportion of residents identifying as Roman Catholic. In contrast, states such as Hawaii and Connecticut experienced significant declines in Catholic identification.
Furthermore, attendance at weekly Mass showed varied trends across the U.S., with states like Alaska and Hawaii seeing increases, while others like Wyoming and Rhode Island having seen sharp declines.
I was an ardent practicing Catholic for years...went to church by myself as a kid, went to church when i was on vacation in my 20’s and never missed a mass. I went the first week they re-opened Churches here in the people’s republic of NY during the kung flu... Catholic school graduate of 17 years; grammar/HS/college.
That being the case, except for Easter and a few other Sunday’s, i’ve barely been to mass the past two years...i refuse to go with that hypocrite frankie “in charge” of the Catholic church...
And before the haters chime in, i pray every day...
The blind modernists will never admit their failure.
Don’t cut yourself off from Holy Communion.
It is more tax avoidance than anything else combined with Germans getting poorer. In Germany if you are an official member of a religion then the German government taxes you and then “gives” it to your religion. The German fascists have found a way to make people naturally pissed off at the churches because of the taxes.
Is that how many were killed by the invading muzzies?
Sad, but when the Left takes over PUBLIC SCHOOLS, they shape the population into WHATEVER they want them to be.
...but that’s ok with me, because Trump is just too brash, I’m telling you, TOO DAMN BRASH to support.
I moved to Michigan as the prodigal son for 40 years. But decided to put my 5 year old in Catholic School. As I regularly attend mass I notice it is going down hill as the attendees are about 75% 50+ individuals. Seems to me the church needs to get back to replenishment by ensuring families children remain active.
She’s been to 3 different Catholic Schools, the one in Thailand had 3 nuns, the two here in Michigan have ZERO. Not like it was for me when the nuns ruled the school.
And people with dementia make great leaders. Think of the spontaneity.
I always thought the official religion of Germany was “old school” Lutheran.
Some places do have “official” religions.
With the crazy Pope they have now I’m surprised he is still around.
Full disclosure I’m old school Lutheran.
That means VERY strict.
I was brought up Catholic, baptized, holy communion, confirmation. My mother was Catholic, and as a kid I did go to mass with her every-so-ofen. She always told us that the church was there if we wanted to attend. She didn't push us. She also said that confession was between you and God, that you didn't need an intermediary to ask God to forgive you. God can absolve me of my sins if I ask him to, and I correct the behavior that brought me to sin in the first place. I don't need a priest to do that.
I haven't been to mass in many years, don't have plans to go. I've always tried to live my life the way my mother always taught me...think of others before yourself. I believe in treating people the way I want to be treated, but if someone is rude and obnoxious to me, I'm not going to turn my cheek and pretend it didn't happen. You get what you give in this life. I still believe in Heaven and Hell, but wherever I do end up when I pass, I just hope they have flavored coffee and books to read.
“while these numbers are high, they reflect a slight decrease from the 522,821 departures recorded the previous year, indicating that this was the second-highest departure rate to date,”
Is that because of the world’s first Islam Pope now rules?
Catholic hurch has lost its morality
“I support Biden because I like soft-spoken mumblers.;-)
And people with dementia make great leaders. Think of the spontaneity.”
You get it! I, too, support Biden and hope he makes it to November, as that is EXACTLY what the Democrats fear.
Probably not helping to have a Marxist, Muslim-butt-kissing faggot as “pope”
“...but that’s ok with me, because Trump is just too brash, I’m telling you, TOO DAMN BRASH to support.”
It’s not his brashness that effects my everyday life, its his policies, and under Trump my family and I were doing great. I would think anyone frequenting this website would be smart enough to have figured that out be now.
lets go brandon!
we have survived this far
whats 7 more months
fingers crossed
im in the dc blast zone
I like Kamala too. She speaks in interesting riddles...and she has a great laugh.
My friend, liars and heretics like the imPopestor Bergoglio would be glad to learn that you are separating yourself from the Eucharist.
I'd do the same if the IRS did this. Tax avoidance and more freebees for illegals.
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